DATE: August 22, 2008

CONTACT: Gene Eidson, 843-546-1013
geidson@clemson.edu

WRITER: Peter Hull, 843-554-7226, ext. 118
phull@clemson.edu


Director named for the Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science

GEORGETOWN — Clemson University has named Gene W. Eidson, a nationally recognized environmental educator and restoration ecologist, as director of the Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science.

Gene EidsonHis appointment is effective Aug. 22. He replaces George Askew, who becomes associate director for Agriculture and Natural Resources after serving as director of the Baruch Institute for 23 years.

Eidson currently serves as director of the Clemson University Center for Watershed Excellence, the Center for Applied Ecology and the restoration ecology focus area of the Clemson University Restoration Institute.

In his new role with the Baruch Institute, Eidson will combine these responsibilities to further Clemson’s water resources and ecological restoration initiatives, emphasizing the university’s role in coastal issues.

“We are building a strong faculty at Baruch to focus on coastal environmental issues that will complement work by Clemson faculty throughout the state,” Eidson said. “There will be a new face to Baruch and people will know that we are a key player.”

Eidson joined Clemson in January 2007 as professor of biological sciences. He has more than 25 years experience in ecological research, including founding the Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy, a public-private partnership that supports education and outreach programs in watershed research and ecological restoration.

Since joining the University, Eidson played a pivotal role in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency designating Clemson as a Center of Excellence for Watershed Management, only the third such center in the nation to receive the designation.

Clemson’s center is the first to focus on developing a remote sensing network to collect and analyze real-time information on the status of water quality and other environmental factors.

Under Eidson’s stewardship, the center is taking a leadership role in water resources and watershed issues in South Carolina. This includes organizing a statewide water resources conference to be held Oct. 14-15 at the Charleston Area Convention Center in North Charleston.

John Kelly, executive director of the Clemson University Restoration Institute in North Charleston and vice president for public service and agriculture, said modern demands on natural resources of the coast require research and education programs that address all aspects of coastal ecology. Eidson’s experience and expertise will prove a valuable asset to the important research performed at Baruch.

“Dr. Eidson’s ability to solve complex environmental problems will not only benefit South Carolina’s coastal regions, but the state and the nation,” Kelly said. “The team at the Baruch Institute has an important role to play as we learn how to better manage our natural resources.”

A native of Aiken County, Eidson earned master’s and doctoral degrees in zoology from Clemson University and a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of South Carolina.

As director of the Baruch Institute, Eidson will oversee an array of groundbreaking research.

Projects include the Program of Integrated Study for Coastal Environmental Sustainability, known as PISCES, a unique program to address environmental sustainability issues that can accompany coastal development. In addition, the forested wetland ecology program examines how ecosystems respond to short- and long-term natural or man-made disturbances.

Eidson will make his home in the Georgetown area.

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