Scott D. Jackson, UMass Extension and environmental conservation, comments in a news story about the regional effects outlined in a United Nations report that finds the loss of plant and animal species around the world will increase in coming years. Jackson says he is worried about the unexpected consequences of biodiversity loss. (Globe 5/6/19)
News from the Media
Jackson Remarks On Report of Accelerating Loss of Plants and Animals
May 7, 2019
Bonneville Cutthroat Trout Restored to Nevada Creek
May 6, 2019
A collaboration of four federal and state agencies (at UMass led by Profesor Christine Hatch), raised a genetically-pure native Bonneville cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii utah) and found an excellent mountain creek in Nevada for restoration. (Gazette 5/3/19)
Food Science Ice Cream Competition Produces a Winner!
May 2, 2019
Six teams of UMass Amherst food science students, most of them seniors and food science majors, had their newly developed ice cream flavors tasted and judged by Maple Valley Creamery representatives and a panel of culinary professionals on May 1 at the Integrated Learning Center. The winning flavor, Vanilla Chai, will be produced by Maple Valley Creamery in Hadley and sold in local markets, branded with a UMass Amherst logo. The product development course is taught this year by Matthew Steffens, a UMass Amherst food science alumnus. (WWLP-TV 22, 5/1/19; News Office release)
Dyed Mulch Can Include Dangerous Chemicals
April 26, 2019
Some wood ground into dyed mulch can include dangerous chemicals, including creosote and CCA (chromium, copper and arsenic), according to the UMass Amherst Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment. CCA has been banned as a chemical used in pressure-treated wood since 2003 but treated wood still exists in old outdoor structures and is often scrapped out and made into mulch. (Courier & Press [Evansville, Ind.], 4/25/19)
Olga Kostromytska Presents at New England Regional Turfgrass Conference & Show
April 22, 2019
Olga Kostromytska, UMass extension assistant professor in turfgrass entomology, spoke at the New England Regional Turfgrass Conference & Show about how golf course superintendents can work with turfgrass specialists to conduct research at their courses. (Golf Course Industry, 4/10/19)
UMass Addresses Concerns Over Spraying at Turf Facility
April 8, 2019
Lawn Mowing Frequency Affects Bee Abundance and Diversity
April 7, 2019
Research led by Dr. Susannah Lerman from UMASS Amhert, shows that cutting grass every two weeks helps to grow more pollinating plants that bees need to survive.(Boston25news.com 4/7/19)
Head of Food Science at UMass Amherst Elected President of International Industry Group
April 3, 2019
Professor Eric Decker, head of food science at the UMass Amherst, has been elected president of the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS). Their goal is to advance the science and technology of oils, fats, proteins, surfactants and related materials. (News Office Release 4/3/19)
Marine Protected Reserves Do More Than Restore Fish
April 1, 2019
In a new analysis of the effectiveness of marine protected areas, UMass assistant professor, Brian Cheng, and colleagues in environmental conservation report that reserves not only replenish target fish populations, they also restore ecological functioning. (Nature World News 4/2/19; News Office Release)
Deerfield Selectboard Wants to Hear from UMass About Spraying at Turf Center
March 25, 2019
Mary Dettloff, deputy director for the Office of News and Media Relations at UMass, said they have been working steadily on a response to the questions raised and are nearly finished. She said they plan to reach out to the town to be placed on an upcoming agenda. (Recorder 3/21/19)
