Division of Arthropods News

MSB Division of Arthropods Resarch Associate, Eric Metzler, wins National Park Service Research Award for moth inventory surveys at White Sands National Monument and at Carlsbad Caverns National Monument. See NPS news release below.

Eric Metzler (far right) receives the US National Park Service's (NPS) Intermountain Regional Director's Award 
for Natural Resource Research. White Sands National Monument Superintendent Marie Frias Sauter is on the
left, and David Bustos, Chief of Resource Protection is in the center.

Eric’s wife Patricia is on the right, David Bustos on the left and Eric in the center.

NPS News Release:

Date: October 3, 2014 For Immediate Release –October 3, 2014

Contact: Valerie Gohlke 575-785-3090, Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Contact: Rebecca Burghart, 575-479-6124, White Sands National Monument

NEW MEXICO RESEARCHER RECEIVES REGIONAL DIRECTOR'S AWARD

CARLSBAD, NM and ALAMOGORDO, NM - On Sept. 26, National Park Service volunteer researcher Eric Metzler received the National Park Service's (NPS) Intermountain Regional Director's Award for Natural Resource Research. This esteemed honor is in recognition of Mr. Metzler's significant moth research at White Sands National Monument and Carlsbad Caverns National Park. In 2007, Eric undertook a study to survey and identify species of moths at these two national park units. Eric's work exemplifies excellence in advancing and publishing scientific research that furthers the goals of science and natural resource management in the
National Park Service.

Metzler received the award because of key accomplishments in the field of research: 1) discovering more than 600 species of moths, 36 of which are new to science, and nearly all of the new species are endemic in the dunes of White Sands;2) developing a baseline database for moth richness and diversity that helps NPS accomplish the all-taxa inventory goals;3) providing interpretive materials, seminars and other formal presentations for both local and regional NPS staff;4) publishing nine scientific papers, and one paper for the general public emphasizing the remarkable endemism of moths at White Sands and 5) volunteering 1600+ hours annually at both parks.

"Eric's scientific contributions inspire stewardship and collaboration in the spirit of protection, preservation, and improvement of the natural resources of White Sands National Monument and Carlsbad Caverns National Park," said NPS Intermountain Regional Director, Sue Masica.

-www.NPS.gov-