Pennsylvania Sea Grant Director Receives Environmental Leadership Award
Bob Light exemplifies environmental leadership in northwest Pennsylvania.
It's no surprise that the Friends of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC) recently recognized his accomplishments. They presented him with the inaugural John C. Oliver Environmental Leadership Award in September. As the first recipient of this award, Light has "exhibited outstanding leadership in this arena not only locally, but on the state, national and international levels as well," according to the Friends of TREC. The award is named for John C. Oliver, the first Pennsylvania secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, chair of the Friends of TREC board and a lifelong leader in the environmental field. TREC namesake Tom Ridge, first Homeland Security secretary and former governor of Pennsylvania presented the award.
Light has been the driving force propelling Pennsylvania and Penn State to achieve Sea Grant status. Until NOAA established Pennsylvania Sea Grant in conjunction with Penn State Behrend a decade ago, Pennsylvania was the only state in the country bordering an ocean or Great Lake that was not designated a Sea Grant state. This oversight prevented Pennsylvania from receiving millions of federal dollars for environmental education and research.
As director of Pennsylvania Sea Grant, Light has steered the program through the first three of the four levels it needs to attain full Sea Grant College status. The most recent Sea Grant Institution designation brings with it increased federal dollars for environmental education, outreach, and research in Pennsylvania. As programs grow and expand, the fourth and final designation should be attained in the next three years.
Light also was instrumental in the formation of the Regional Science Consortium at TREC, as the chair of the exploratory committee that worked with the center's architects and other scientists. He worked to determine the needed resources for the research wing and collaborated with funding organizations to be sure the labs were well equipped. Light also served as the first chairperson of the Regional Science Consortium Board whose membership has grown to 38 colleges/universities and environmental organizations — all dedicated to essential research for making informed, science-based decisions about the environment.
On the national level, Light served eight years as a member of the National Earth Force board of directors. Earth Force engages young people to be active citizens that work to improve the environment and maintain a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship. Light is also board chairperson of Lake Erie-Allegheny Earth Force, the local chapter, which has its administrative offices at TREC. Internationally, Light is a member of the Great Lakes Commission, working to guide the Great Lakes bordering states and Canadian provinces on how to best preserve and enhance the Great Lakes ecosystem.
At Penn State Behrend, Light is senior associate dean for research, graduate studies and outreach. He oversees more than two dozen outreach centers that include programs and initiatives for business and industry, area school students, and the community.
Light holds a doctoral degree in ecology from Penn State, a master's degree in biology from Millersville University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Delaware. His research specialties include stream and brook trout ecology.
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