El Lower
@helloellower.bsky.social
1.1K followers 110 following 130 posts
Invasion biologist, science communicator, forager, and general-purpose naturalist. (they/them) 🏳️‍🌈🍃✨
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Reposted by El Lower
standupforscience.bsky.social
Russell Vought, OMB Director, is using this shutdown to further the aims of Project 2025. He is slashing the federal workforce, and dismantling our agencies.

This is not just a shutdown standoff — it's finishing the job of DOGE. Take action for federal workers here! zurl.co/up9de
Graphic with two red and white images of Trump and Vought facing each other in profile. Torn off newspaper text reads: Trump administration begins laying off federal workers amid shutdown. Text at the top reads: Trump and OMB director Vought are firing patriotic public servants in their attempt to advance project 2025. Red text on a dark blue background reads: What’s Going on? Two white bubbles of text float behind a red and white image of Vought in profile. 
Bubble 1: Russell vought, director of the omb and author of project 2025, announced mass REDUCTIONS-IN-FORCE (RIFS) in federal agencies.
Bubble 2: the exact scope is still unclear, but reports say LAYOFFS HAVE HIT at least the Interior, Homeland Security, Treasury, EPA, Commerce, Education, Energy, HHS and HUD. Poster graphic reading: This isn’t just a shutdown standoff. Project 2025 aims to critically slash our federal workforce and dismantle our agencies. Doge already laid off 300k. Project 2025’s real goal? At least 1 Million federal employees laid off. In bold red highlighted text: Vought wants to finish the job. Highlighted text at top of graphic reads: Solidarity with federal workers! In red text below: Take Action!
Two blue bubbles read: Call Congress and let them know: Stop Vought! and Stand with Federal Workers! Links in our Bio to sign:
A list of petitions: Solidarity with NASA, EPA, FEMA, NIH
Reposted by El Lower
iaglr.bsky.social
BIG NEWS! IAGLR has received a 3-year grant from the Fred & Barbara Erb Family Foundation. This support will expand our science communication, strengthen inclusive research, and mentor the next generation of Great Lakes scientists. https://bit.ly/3IDeWUi
helloellower.bsky.social
This was such a fun episode — thanks to the folks at IISG for inviting me back on the show (and to my fellow guests for letting me talk about the self-cloning crayfish we ALL wanted to discuss! 🦞🦞🦞)
Reposted by El Lower
drkatfish.bsky.social
Podcast title: "Spoiler Alert: This is Not Fine"
The "This is Fine" meme with an outline of the North American Great Lakes and four invasive species; clockwise from top left: starry stonewort, marbled crayfish, water hyacinth, and black carp
helloellower.bsky.social
Thanks to @invasivesnet.bsky.social and all of our fantastic coauthors and collaborators for getting the peer-reviewed version of this report out the door — the Invasive Species Language Workshop was such a cool interdisciplinary meeting of the minds!
Reposted by El Lower
inclusivescience.ca
Shoutout to all our awesome co-authors on this paper! @helloellower.bsky.social
@t-campy.bsky.social
Sam Chan
Neha Savant
Brendon Larson
@meganweber.bsky.social
Virginia Rhodes
Lindsey Cathcart
Jillian Naveh
@nicholeangell.bsky.social
Reposted by El Lower
inclusivescience.ca
"Message frames and metaphors are commonly used within science communication to discuss complex topics, including #invasivespecies. While these communication tools are undoubtedly helpful, [this] can have unintended consequences that are counterproductive to management efforts."
Reposted by El Lower
inclusivescience.ca
"The in-person portion, used semi-structured discussions... to develop the following priorities:

1) Building Evidence of Impact and Harm
2) Identifying Networks of Change and Building Support
3) Co-Production of Interventions
4) Operationalizing Interventions for Change"
helloellower.bsky.social
✨New publication alert✨: “Recommendations from the Sea Grant-Led Invasive Species Language Workshop” — a report on the workshop I organized in DC last year!

#BiologicalInvasions #InvasiveSpecies 🧪

www.reabic.net/journals/mbi...
Message frames and metaphors are commonly used within science communication to discuss complex topics, including invasive species. While these communication tools are undoubtedly helpful, the ecological process of invasion juxtaposed with the use of militaristic and nativist language can have unintended consequences that are counterproductive to management efforts. Species naming conventions are likewise complex, with some species bearing names that may reinforce xenophobic concepts or contain racial slurs. Despite the known need, there have been limited national efforts to develop better and more inclusive guidelines for invasive species communication...
helloellower.bsky.social
Timeline cleanse: everyone look at my beautiful little doggie while I figure out how to do effective message framing for my latest first-author publication that won’t make the the regime crawl down my throat.
Junie the dog, a small Italian Greyhound/sheltie mix, basks in a sunbeam in her cozy bed. Junie the dog, a small Italian Greyhound/sheltie mix, basks in a sunbeam in her cozy bed.
Reposted by El Lower
utopia-defer.red
I think republicans hijacking all government agencies for their messaging is actually a much bigger problem than most people seem to be taking it as
helloellower.bsky.social
Hatch Act? What Hatch Act! 🫠
Reposted by El Lower
sjcfishy.bsky.social
Thinking about all of my US colleagues today that work for USGS, USFWS, US Parks Service, NOAA and the EPA. From front line environmental practitioners to scientists and policy makers, these folks ensure that waters are swimmable, fish are edible, that natural areas are accessible, etc, etc, etc.
helloellower.bsky.social
Oh my god, no…. What the hell….
Reposted by El Lower
safa-science.bsky.social
Fabulous call from fed unions:

“We are directly impacted when the gov't shuts down: our members would no longer be able to work, get paid, or fulfill their mission of serving the American public. But we believe the most important thing is fighting against the centralization of executive power..."
Federal workers unions call on Schumer, Jeffries to hold the line even if it means a shutdown
“Federal workers will willingly forego paychecks in the hopes of preserving the programs we have devoted our lives to administering,” the unions said.
www.politico.com
Reposted by El Lower
inclusivescience.ca
Another new paper out! 😱🧑‍🔬

"Recommendations from the Sea Grant-Led Invasive Species Language Workshop" out now, open access, in Management of Biological Invasions! @invasivesnet.bsky.social

www.reabic.net/journals/mbi...

#BiologicalInvasions 🧪
www.reabic.net
Reposted by El Lower
doncarr.bsky.social
"Water is not a commodity. It is a vital component of the natural world that sustains life. And while the Great Lakes Region is water-rich, it’s our job to make sure it is here for generations to come."
Opinion | Rush to build data centers threatens Great Lakes resources
Bill Berry: Hyperscale data centers require millions of gallons and will drive energy consumption across the region to the equivalent of 8 million households by 2030.
captimes.com
Reposted by El Lower
iaglr.bsky.social
Achieving true DEIA in aquatic sciences remains challenging amid shifting political & institutional landscapes. Building on a joint webinar, IAGLR and SCAS share eight actions scientists can take to foster diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. https://bit.ly/4pCMmTA
Reposted by El Lower
proptermalone.bsky.social
neurodiversity is Good Actually. just want to say that
Reposted by El Lower
bengoldfarb.bsky.social
TODAY is the deadline to submit public comment on Trump’s proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule, which would expose 45 million acres of national forest to permanent roads and their attendant environmental ills. Register your disapproval here:

www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...

#roadecology
Special Areas; Roadless Area Conservation; National Forest System Lands
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is initiating an environmental impact statement (EIS) and rulemaking concerning management of inventoried roadless areas on approximately 44.7 million acres of Natio...
www.federalregister.gov
Reposted by El Lower
inclusivescience.ca
Hot off the press! 🧑‍🔬🧪

"Making aquatic sciences more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible: Perspectives on how individuals can take action in their professional practice"

authors.elsevier.com/c/1lnYH1MRgT...

🧵1/5
Image of title page for the article "Making aquatic sciences more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible: Perspectives on how individuals can take action in their professional practice", available from the Journal of Great Lakes Research.
helloellower.bsky.social
It’s been a disturbing week to be online in any capacity, so have a timeline cleanse: this is our new dog Junie, a sheltie-Italian greyhound mix and champion snuggler and is helping me and my wife stay grounded in these deeply bizarre times.
Junie, a sable-and-white long-shouted little dog, snoozes on Bluesky user El’s chest.