(Host) The University of Vermont announced Wednesday the appointment of "Breck" Bowden to the Chair of Watershed Science. Bowden will head a research program on watershed issues in Vermont, such as water quality and land use planning.
Bowden has spent the last 25 years studying watershed issues in New Zealand, where is leads a national research program. Bowden says he has a holistic approach to how people and watersheds affect each other:
(Bowden) "The vision I have is to integrate what we know about ecosystems – the science that we know about ecosystems and the ways they function – with what we know about communities and the way they function. Too often those two endeavors …are done separately and there’s a need to integrate those two efforts."
University officials say that Bowden’s stature in the scientific community reflects well on UVM. Interim Provost John Bramley says that Bowden’s research is another step toward making UVM a "preeminent institution” for studying and teaching environmental science. Bowden’s position was funded by the estate of Genevieve Patrick, the largest bequest that the University has received. The program will be part of the School of Natural Sciences.