Nikwax-AAC Bellwether Grantees Selected
From an impressive group of applicants, two winners were chosen to receive funds from the Nikwax Bellwether Grant, established in partnership with the American Alpine Club (AAC).
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SEATTLE, Wash. – From an impressive group of applicants, two winners were chosen to receive funds from the Nikwax Bellwether Grant, established in partnership with the American Alpine Club (AAC). Nikwax and the AAC congratulate Ann Piersall, of Whitefish, Mont., and Tracie A. Seimon, of Nyack, N.Y.
Piersall will use the grant money to supplement her study of the socio-economic impacts of glacial retreat in the Tien Shan region of China. Her project will provide empirical assessments linking the physical effects of climate change to the most heavily impacted human constituents: the local communities.
Seimon, a biologist, plans to study global warming’s impact on the migratory patterns of amphibians in the tropical, high-altitude region of southern Peru. The Nikwax Bellwether Grant money will help fund this crucial biological component of an existing climate and glacier monitoring expedition to southern Peru.
“Our mission with the Bellwether Grant is to encourage disciplined, scientific efforts to document the impacts of global warming on alpine environments,†said Chas Fisher, president of Nikwax N.A. and global brand manager of Nikwax, Ltd. “While all of the proposals we received were extraordinarily well done, Ann’s and Tracie’s applications rose to the top. Their research will be impactful in their individual fields, while contributing immensely to our comprehensive database for the AAC.â€
Phil Powers, president of the American Alpine Club, added, “Ann and Tracie’s results will help build the foundation of a database that will represent technical, scientific, visual and social observations on the state of global alpine ecosystems. This is phase one and we’ll share results as they come in. Phase two will be applying the results and taking action.â€
Follow Ann and Tracie’s experiences as scientists and adventurers at: http://aaclibrary.wordpress.com/.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN ALPINE CLUB:
The American Alpine Club inspires and supports and the climbing community and protects its playgrounds around the world. The AAC is perhaps best know for publishing the world’s most sought after annual climbing publication, the American Alpine Journal, caring for the world’s leading mountaineering library and offering annual climbing, conservation and research grants to budding adventurers. Learn about additional programs and become a member at: www.AmericanAlpineClub.org.
ABOUT NIKWAX:
Since 1977, Nikwax has led the market in producing safe, effective products that protect and extend the life of apparel, footwear and outdoor gear. Nikwax upholds a commitment to technical innovation, product quality, environmental assessment and customer service. Nikwax is a carbon-balanced company.
The business philosophy and environmental ethos of Nikwax come directly from the founder and Managing Director, Nick Brown. His commitment to excellence and corporate responsibility earned him an appointment to the Board of the EOG Association for Conservation, an offshoot of the European Outdoor Industry. The Board is charged with the conservation and protection of wild areas.
