Researcher Named to Prestigious Environmental Board

DURHAM, N.C.—Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions Lydia Olander was sworn in to serve a three-year term with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Advisory Board this week.

She joins a select group tasked with counseling the organization’s chief of engineers by providing independent guidance and recommendations concerning environmental issues the Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for overseeing, including flood protection, ecosystem restoration and environmental regulation.

“I am honored to serve on matters that make such an impact to our nation,” said Olander, who directs the Nicholas Institute’s Ecosystem Services Program. Olander is also the director of the National Ecosystem Services Partnership (NESP), an initiative of the Nicholas Institute, aimed at enhancing collaboration within the ecosystem services community.

Most recently, Lydia guided NESP in launching the online resource—Federal Resource Management and Ecosystem Services Guidebook—to address a need for materials and tools that support ways to account for the benefits nature provides to people. The guidebook includes a framework and methodology to enhance the credibility and consistency of ecosystem services approaches to planning and management.

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Olander is available for comment by contacting Erin McKenzie, 919.613.3652 or erin.mckenzie@duke.edu.