Before writing to you about the most important public outreach effort DRI undertakes each year, I want to say thank you to so many of you that I heard from during the holidays. As many of you know, I underwent knee replacement surgery in December. So far, so good! My rehabilitation efforts are going well and I'm excited to be back at the institute with all of you.

We are now in the thick of preparing for our 21^st Annual Nevada Medal Dinners to celebrate our state's highest science honor.  The Governor and First Lady will once again co-chair these events in Reno and Las Vegas. Please mark your calendar for Tuesday, April 15 at the Peppermill Hotel Casino in Reno, and Thursday, April 17 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. 

This year's Medalist is Dr. James E. Hansen, Director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, who has studied the effects of greenhouse gases (GHGs) on Earth's climate throughout most of his illustrious career.  Through his development and application of global models to explore the potential climate effects of unchecked increases in GHG concentrations, Dr. Hansen has become one of the most prominent and recognizable scientific spokespersons on the topic of climate change.  His scientific publications, testimony before congressional committees, media interactions, and other means, have established him as a consistent voice warning about the potential effects of climate change and calling for directed approaches to reduce GHG emissions.

I hope you will join us at either of the events on April 15 in Reno or April 17 in Las Vegas.  For more information about how you can support our efforts and get ticket information, please contact Dawn Coots, at (775) 674-7555 or dawn.coots@dri.edu.