The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has selected Dr. David Robinson, the New Jersey state climatologist and chairman of the Department of Geography at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, as an Environmental Hero for his support of NOAA's Satellite and Information Service.

May 1, 2008

New Brunswick, NJ--The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has selected Dr. David Robinson, the New Jersey state climatologist and chairman of the Department of Geography at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, as an Environmental Hero for his support of NOAA's Satellite and Information Service.

NOAA's Environmental Hero Awards were established in 1995 to commemorate Earth Day by honoring volunteers who help NOAA carry out its mission - to understand and predict changes in Earth's environment and converse and manage coastal and marine resources to meet the nation's economic, social and environmental needs.

"Thousands of people across the country join forces with NOAA each year and the Environmental Hero award is our way of saying 'thank you' to several of those individuals that have made a significant impact," said retired Navy Vice Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. "Dave is an outstanding volunteer, who shares his time, knowledge and experience."

Robinson has delivered more than 100 lectures to professional and public audiences, taught hundreds of students and published more than 125 articles regarding global and regional climate change. Many of the articles focused on global snow cover. As the New Jersey state climatologist, he conducts research on the diverse weather and climate of the Garden State, including drought, flooding and agriculture, transportation, public safety and commerce issues.

In addition, Dr. Robinson has chaired National Research Councils, including those for environmental data archiving, climate data records from satellites and modernizing the volunteer Cooperative Weather Network.

"Dave's enthusiasm and skill for conducting environmental research influences everyone he comes in contact with," said Dr. Thomas R. Karl, director of NOAA's National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C. "His research has helped us understand more about our changing climate."

The Office of the State Climatologist is based at the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.

Contact: Michele Hujber
Office of Communications
732-932-7000