Goldman Named Chair of Tahoe-Baikal Institute
Charles Goldman, Ph.D., the University of California-Davis scientist and educator famous for his research at Lake Tahoe, Russia’s Lake Baikal, and numerous other watersheds throughout the world, has been named chair of the Board of the Tahoe-Baikal Institute (TBI).
The non-profit TBI ‘s core mission is to help develop future environmental leaders from the United States, Russia, and other nations in the areas of scientific research, education, business, and governmental policy.
“TBI has a life changing impact on participants in our 10-week summer educational program,” said Goldman, who has studied Lake Tahoe for 50 years. “They experience hands-on research in the Lake Tahoe and Lake Baikal watersheds, learn how policy is formed and implemented, and come to understand the worldwide implications of proper watershed management. They form part of the core of our future leadership in the effort to protect Lake Tahoe, Lake Baikal and our other natural resources.”
The TBI (www.tahoebaikal.org) Summer Environmental Exchange program was established in 1990. Over 300 participants, chosen in an annual competitive application process, have completed the program. Most participants are university post-graduate degree candidates, along with qualified upper division students demonstrating exceptional qualifications for the rigorous field work.
Goldman over 30 years ago founded the Tahoe Research Group, which evolved into the Tahoe Environmental Research Center located on the lake’s north shore. His research was at the forefront of efforts to understand threats to the clarity of Lake Tahoe and to implement measures to restore and protect the Tahoe watershed. He has also served on the TBI board since its inception.
Lake Baikal in eastern Siberia holds one-fifth of the world’s fresh water in a lake roughly 400 miles long, 50 miles wide, and over a mile deep.
While aggressively pursuing basic research on lake dynamics, he has also been able to translate the findings directly to state, national and international policy decisions regarding aquatic resources from the Antarctic to the lakes and wetlands of South and Central America, New Guinea, Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States.
Goldman will assume his duties at UDCr upon his return Feb. 5 from a research assignment in Brazil.