Gary N. Lauten Memorial Award.
Gary Lauten served as the Coordinator of the Forest Watch program from 1992 to 1999. Gary was instrumental in the development and success of the the Forest Watch program, including the National Science Foundation supported development of Forest Watch materials (Teacher Guide books, field protocol work sheets, videos, etc.). This work was completed in 1997, providing the classroom support materials used in Forest Watch today. It was Gary’s devotion to detail and his love of working with the teachers (as part of the NSF writing team) to produced these exceptional educational support materials.
In addition to his Forest Watch duties, Gary was also very actively involved in the various research efforts being conducted by Barry Rock’s research team. These efforts included: the NASA BOREAS activities in Maine and Canada (Saskatchewan and Manitoba); the on-going NASA field work in the Czech Republic; and the NSF-funded New England Regional Assessment. No matter how many different activities were going on at the same time, Gary managed to keep everything straight and in working order.
Gary’s real love at the University was Forest Watch. He enjoyed every aspect of it, from visiting schools to working with the writing team of teachers, from demonstrating how the VIRIS worked (for the 100th time) to answering questions from students on why leaves are green. And he loved working with the students. He loved watching “the lights come on” in their eyes as the understanding of a concept blossomed.
Gary also had a genuine love of the Earth and all living things, especially plants. He liked to grow orchids, to the point of having a special greenhouse attached to his home in Durham. According to his wife Darien, she never knew anyone who could just sit for so long, enjoying the peace and quiet of nature. When they took local White Mountain area "sneaker hikes", he would study every flower and leaf they passed. We have all been enriched by Gary’s “passing by” our way.
Unfortunately, Gary Lauten died on December 13th 2001 of a brain tumor. Since 2002, The Gary N. Lauten Award for outstanding service and commitment to the Forest Watch Program is presented is each year to the Forest Watch teacher who most exemplifies Gary’s love of the program and his devotion to the program’s long-term goals. These goals include: conveying the excitement and importance of hands-on science, the value of understanding the impacts of environmental factors on forested ecosystems, and the education of K-12 students across New England.
2006 Recipient of the Gary N. Lauten Memorial Award
UNH Press Release: 2006 Gary N. Lauten Memorial Award.Nancy Chesley; Mabel I. Wilson School, Cumberland ME.
2005 Recipient of the Gary N. Lauten Memorial Award
UNH Press Release: 2005 Gary N. Lauten Memorial Award.Mary Fougere; Gilmanton Middle School, Gilmanton, NH.
2004 Recipient of the Gary N. Lauten Memorial Award
UNH Press Release: 2004 Gary N. Lauten Memorial Award.Phil Browne; Concord High School, Concord, NH.
2003 Recipient of the Gary N. Lauten Memorial Award
UNH Press Release: 2003 Gary N. Lauten Memorial Award.Bob Dyer; Shapleigh Memorial School, Shapleigh, ME.
2002 Recipient of the Gary N. Lauten Memorial Award
UNH Press Release: 2002 Gary N. Lauten Memorial Award.Ann LaCroix; Merrimack Middle School, Merrimack, NH.
