Environmental Studies

Butler Wins National Award for Educational Outreach to Schools

February 5, 2016

Environmental studies professor Bob Butler has won a national award in “Educational Outreach to Schools” from the Western States Seismic Policy Council for his work on the Cascadia Earthscope Earthquake and Tsunami Education Program (CEETEP). Butler serves as principal investigator for the University’s collaboration with OSU and Central Washington University through a grant from the National Science Foundation EarthScope Program. In that role he is lead workshop instructor on Earthquake and Tsunami Science. Over the past three years, CEETEP has held six workshops for K-12 Earth Science teachers, parks and museum interpreters, and emergency management educators in coastal communities from the Olympic Peninsula to the Redwood Coast of California.

The national awards are presented every four years and recognize organizations and agencies for their achievements as demonstrated through exemplary programs, projects, and products that address earthquake risk reduction within the United States.

Butler has been a professor of geophysics at the University since 2004. He teaches earth system science, natural hazards, and oceanography and is known locally as an expert in the field of earthquakes and earthquake preparedness. He is also the project director of Teachers on the Leading Edge (TOTLE), a K-12 Earth Science teacher professional development program featuring Pacific Northwest geology and geological hazards. Among his many awards, Butler was named the Oregon Academy of Science 2013 Outstanding Higher Education Teacher in Science and Mathematics, and received the 2014 Fred Fox Distinguished Service to Science Education Award from the Oregon Science Teachers, and the 2015 Neil Milner Award from the National Association of Geoscience Teachers.

For more information contact environmental studies at 8342 or inanb@up.edu.

Columbia River Treaty Conference, Oct. 24

October 16, 2015

The University will host a one-day conference, “Ethics and the Columbia River Treaty: Righting Historic Wrongs,” on Saturday, October 24, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Buckley Center Auditorium. Attendees will reflect on the impact of the dam-building era on the Columbia Basin. Discussion will take place on ways to modernize the Columbia River Treaty and seek to establish a water ethic as foundational for resolving international water conflicts.

UP sponsors include the environmental studies program, the Garaventa Center, McNerney-Hanson Chair in Ethics, Molter Chair in Science, and Sweo Chair in Engineering. To attend, please contact Belgin Inan, environmental studies, at inanb@up.edu or 8342 as soon as possible.

Bob Butler Wins 2015 Neil Miner Award

August 28, 2015

University of Portland environmental science professor Robert F. Butler has received the Neil Miner Award from the National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT). The award honors individuals for their exceptional contributions to the stimulation of interest in Earth sciences. The NAGT has presented the award since 1953 and is named after Neil Miner, who was known for his contagious enthusiasm for geology and unselfish dedication to his students and his profession. Butler was nominated by fellow geoscience professors and will be honored November 3 at the annual NGAT luncheon.

Butler has been a professor of geophysics at the University since 2004. He teaches earth system science, natural hazards, and oceanography and is known locally as an expert in the field of earthquakes and earthquake preparedness. He is also the project director of Teachers on the Leading Edge (TOTLE), a K-12 Earth Science teacher professional development program featuring Pacific Northwest geology and geological hazards. Among his many awards, Butler was named the Oregon Academy of Science 2013 Outstanding Higher Education Teacher in Science and Mathematics and received the 2014 Fred Fox Distinguished Service to Science Education Award from the Oregon Science Teachers Association.

Oregon Academy of Sciences Meeting, Feb. 28

February 23, 2015

The University will host the 2015 Oregon Academy of Sciences Meeting on Saturday, February 28, according to Steve Kolmes, environmental science. Kolmes serves as president of the OAS. Faculty, staff, students, and the public are welcome to attend a talk by Bob Butler, environmental science, “Animating Cascadia Earthquake Risk,” at 1 p.m., in Buckley Center Auditorium, and are also welcome for a lecture by 2014 OAS Outstanding Scientist Scott Burns, “The Mystique of Terrior,” at 7 p.m.

The Oregon Academy of science promotes scientific research and education in Oregon, and represents all areas of the natural sciences and social sciences. The annual OAS meeting acknowledges contributions by outstanding university and K-12 educators demonstrating dedication to the advancement of science education, and also acknowledges an Oregon scientist who has made outstanding contributions in his or her field.

For more information contact Kolmes at 7291 or kolmes@up.edu.

Bob Butler Honored By Oregon Science Teachers Association

September 12, 2014

Bob Butler, environmental science, has been selected to receive the Fred Fox Distinguished Service to Science Education Award from the Oregon Science Teachers Association. The award honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to mentoring and developing new teachers, and is based on career longevity, breadth of influence, enthusiasm for science and the profession of science education, and the demonstrated ability to motivate.

Butler has been a professor of geophysics at the University since 2004. He teaches Earth System Science, Natural Hazards, and Oceanography, but is probably best known as an expert in the field of earthquakes and earthquake preparedness. Butler is also the project director of Teachers on the Leading Edge (TOTLE), a K-12 Earth Science teacher professional development program featuring Pacific Northwest geology and geological hazards.

Butler was a professor of geosciences at the University of Arizona from 1974 to 2001, and was recognized as Distinguished Professor of Geosciences there from 2001 to 2004. Among his many awards, Butler was named the Oregon Academy of Science 2013 Outstanding Higher Education Teacher in Science and Mathematics. This award will be presented during the annual Oregon Science Teachers Association conference on Friday, October 10, at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel (1919 NE 181st, Portland, OR 97230).

For more information contact the environmental science department at 8342 or inanb@up.edu.

Environmental Studies Public Screening of “Backyard,” Feb. 25, Clinton Street Theater

February 24, 2014

In cooperation with PCC Sylvania, the University’s environmental studies program will host a public screening of Deia Schlosberg’s 27-minute film, “Backyard,” on Tuesday, February 25, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the Clinton Street Theatre (2522 SE Clinton St, Portland, OR 97202). Schlosberg’s film is a documentary about fracking (fracturing of rock by pressurized liquid to extract uranium, oil, etc.) and its effects on five people’s lives. Following stories in Pennsylvania, Colorado, North Dakota, and Montana, an eerie similarity emerges despite vast differences in geography and personal histories. “The Sky is Pink” will be screened In addition to “Backyard,” and Schlosberg has agreed to lead a discussion after the films. The movie is free of charge but donations will be requested at the door, to go to 350.org. For more information contact Steve Kolmes, environmental studies, at 7291 or kolmes@up.edu.