Jump to main content.


USGS - Science for a Changing World

   
News Release
U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Address
National Wetlands Research Center
700 Cajundome Blvd.
Lafayette, LA 70506
E-mail
gaye_farris@usgs.gov

WebAddress
http:\\www.nwrc.usgs.gov
Exit EPA Disclaimer

Release: 3/14/2000 Contact: Gaye Farris Phone: 337/266-8550 Fax: 337/266-8541

Linda Beyt, Conoco Win Gulf Guardian Awards


LAFAYETTE, LA-Linda Beyt, a former public school teacher for 23 years now working at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, has received first place honors in the individual category of the Gulf Guardian competition, sponsored by the Gulf of Mexico Program.

She was one of 18 award winners in six categories of the new competition. Second place in the business category was another winner from Lafayette, Conoco Inc., Gulf Coast Assets for its work in the St. Charles Field at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. Conoco was recognized for minimizing the impact of its work on the refuges' primary whooping crane territory.

The Gulf Guardian competition is sponsored by the Gulf of Mexico Program, a partnership of Federal, State and private interests dedicated to protecting and restoring the Gulf of Mexico and its coastal habitats.

Winners will be honored at a luncheon on April 11 during the Gulf of Mexico Symposium 2000 in Mobile, Ala. The April 9-12 symposium will feature Dr. E. O. Wilson of Harvard University, the biologist credited with popularizing the concept of biodiversity. More than 1,000 participants are expected for this symposium, the largest multi-disciplinary gathering for those concerned about the Gulf. There will be more than 200 programs aimed at seven tracks: Community action, environmental public relations, education, business and industry, regulatory and management planning, local government and science and research.

Beyt was nominated for the award for her many educational contributions related to Gulf Coast wetlands. These contributions include the development of an educational CD-ROM "Knee Deep in Louisiana Wetlands," biodiversity partnerships with the Museum of Natural History in New York City and helping add technology to the education curriculum at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

**more**

ADD 1 Beyt, Conoco Win

Dr. Robert E. Stewart, Jr., director, U.S. Geological Survey National Wetlands Research Center, said, "Because of her passion for teaching about wetlands, this middle school teacher has become a recognized leader in education from Louisiana to New York, a partner in research projects from Maine to Florida and an instructor of university faculty to promote and involve technology to teaching science."

Stewart added, "Through her CD-ROM, workshops, and classroom and university teaching, Linda has touched the lives of thousands of middle school children and teachers. Her ongoing legacy is to make the children of Louisiana wetland stewards of the future."

The interactive CD-ROM, designed for middle school grades, is scientifically data rich but uses humor to inform about wetlands. She developed this CD-ROM in conjunction with the Educational Technology Review Center at ULL, with sponsorship by the U.S. Geological Survey, Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Scientists from the USGS National Wetlands Research Center are featured in the CD-ROM.

The CD-ROM integrates information about Louisiana wetlands with the state's current middle school science curriculum and has lesson plans, activities and Internet links. It focuses on wetland importance, habitats, issues and research. Nine thousand CD-ROMs with lab packs and lesson plans were distributed last year.

Beyt is currently instructor and trainer under THE/QUEST Grant (Technology in Higher Education/Quality Education for Students and Teachers). THE/QUEST is a 3-year grant by the Department of Education to instruct preservice teachers from 19 universities in Louisiana.

She taught at Edgar Martin Middle School in Lafayette, La., from 1988-99; St. Bernard Catholic School in Breaux Bridge, La., 1982-88; and Sentinel public schools in Oklahoma, 1976-82.

As a classroom teacher, Beyt and her students volunteered in a pilot program called BioDiversity Counts, sponsored by the Museum of Natural History in New York City.

Beyt also participated in REEF Watch, a 10-day expedition with scientists to discover factors affecting coral reef biodiversity. During the expedition, she suggested a hypothesis that a scientist at Bigelow in Maine is testing.

**more**

ADD 2 Beyt, Conoco Win

She is developing, with the Lafayette Parish biodiversity program, a field trip at the University's experimental farm. She has also developed the Louisiana Wetlands Education Web site and has presented more than 50 workshops on wetlands including Project Wet, Louisiana Computing Educators, Louisiana Science Teachers Association, National Science Teachers Association, Communities Working for Wetlands and Hands on Outdoor Training Camp.

Beyt has a bachelor of science degree in education from New Mexico State University and a master of education degree from University of Southwestern Oklahoma.

For more information about the Gulf Guardian Award or the Gulf of Mexico Symposium, call Gaye Farris at 337-266-8550. See the Web site https://www.epa.gov/gmpo/.

* * USGS * * *

As the nation's largest water, earth and biological science and civilian mapping agency, the USGS works in cooperation with more than 2000 organizations across the country to provide reliable, impartial scientific information to resource managers, planners and other customers. This information is gathered in every state by USGS scientists to minimize the loss of life and property from natural disasters, to contribute to the sound conservation, economic and physical development of the nation's natural resources and to enhance the quality of life by monitoring water, biological, energy and mineral resources.

Press releases and in-depth information about USGS programs may be found on the USGS home page: http://www.usgs.gov.Exit Disclaimer
To receive the latest USGS news releases automatically by e-mail, send a request to <listproc@listserver.usgs.gov>. Specify the listserver(s) of interest from the following names: water-pr; geologic-hazards-pr; biological-pr; mapping-pr; products-pr; lecture-pr. In the body of the message write: subscribe (name of listserver) (your name). Example: subscribe water-pr joe smith.

Posted: 6 April 00

Gulf of Mexico Program Office
Mail Code: EPA/GMPO
Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-6000
228-688-3726
FAX: 228-688-2709


Local Navigation


Jump to main content.