This summer, NAU’s Dr. Laura Huenneke began her term as President of the world’s largest society of ecologists, after her election a year ago. As Laura explains in the ESA press release, the job is not just about keeping things running smoothly: “[w]e live in an increasingly complicated and interconnected world that requires sound ecological science to improve management of the human and natural environment. ESA’s members provide that scientific understanding of the world around us, and we need their expertise more than ever to understand how changes in nature are affecting all of us.” You can also learn more about Dr. Huenneke’s research background in plant conservation on her website.