-------------------- N E W S R E L E A S E -------------------- Auburn University - University Relations (334) 844-9999 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 5/5/95 Mitch Emmons AU RESEARCHER'S GOAL IS BIODIVERSITY IN FOREST MANAGEMENT AUBURN -- Auburn University botanist Bob Boyd is assembling information in a research program that will enable forest managers to use environmentally friendly practices when dealing with such issues as erosion and herbicides. Boyd, an associate professor in the Department of Botany and Microbiology, is involved in several research projects related to maintaining biodiversity in forest management. "There is a lot of concern about biodiversity nowadays -- maintaining the organisms that we have and trying to minimize our impact on them," he says. "Here in Alabama, forestry is a major economic force, and there are a lot of techniques that foresters use to manage forest lands. "Foresters are broadening their look at the effects of these practices by taking into account a lot of things, including what they are doing to other plants and the environment in general. Until now, there has not been a lot of information on what effects those techniques have on other organisms besides the trees they're trying to grow." Working with AU's School of Forestry and the AU-based U.S. Forest Service Southern Forest Experiment Station, Boyd is involved in three research projects dealing with such topics as erosion, the off-site movement of herbicides and biodiversity. In field studies in east and west Alabama, the Tuskeegee National Forest and in Georgia, Boyd is examining the biodiversity of the sites. "We're looking at things that all are related to the big picture," he says. "The plant part is only one segment of this big picture of environmental emphasis that forest managers are now turning to with their management practices." But according to Boyd, the plant biodiversity questions are being taken seriously. "If you look at numbers of federally listed threatened or endangered species, Alabama ranks fourth in the nation," he says. "Alabama ranks only behind the states of Hawaii, California and Florida." Alabama also has some 200 endemic species of plants and animals, Boyd adds. "That's impressive," he says. "We need to provide basic biological information to try to keep them healthy." Boyd's research is supported by the U.S. Forest Service and private industry. "Some of the money industry is kicking into herbicide research is being earmarked to look at these biodiversity questions," he says. "By doing a number of different studies at different places, we will put together -- piece by piece -- the big picture of how all these management practices affect plant diversity on a broad scale. "Then choices can be made on which are more friendly for other plants and which are less friendly. Maybe some decisions will be made favoring the more friendly practices over others." ### may95:auforests CONTACT: Boyd, 334/844-1626. 5/4/95 Roy Summerford CENTENNIAL LEADS TO SCHOLARSHIPS FOR AUBURN WOMEN AUBURN -- Indiana industrialist and Auburn University alumnus Dan Breeden was looking for a way to help his alma mater when a friend from childhood gave him an idea. Breeden, a 1957 engineering graduate, saw Pat Barnes, AuburnÕs vice president for student affairs, as a moving force behind the universityÕs 1993 centennial celebration of the achievements of Auburn women. Later, as part of Campaign Auburn, a $175 million comprehensive campaign, Breeden created a permanent reminder of the centennial by establishing a major scholarship endowment for women students. The Dr. Pat H. Barnes/Centennial of Women Scholarship Endowment is being established with financial support from Breeden, who also has pledged a major contribution for faculty enhancement. ÒI had known Pat Barnes most of my life, since we grew up together in Gadsden and we were classmates at Auburn,Ó Breeden said, ÒWhen I saw the good work she was doing with the Centennial of Women, the scholarship endowment seemed like a good way to honor her and provide more scholarships for women students at Auburn.Ó Barnes credited a team effort by faculty, staff and students for the success of the 1993 recognition effort that inspired Breeden to establish the endowment. ÒI am pleased that the work of many people will be remembered in this manner, and I am especially glad that more students will have the opportunity to earn scholarships,Ó she said. ÒEach scholarship helps a deserving student attend Auburn, and in doing so, the scholarships help to strengthen the university.Ó The Centennial for Women recalled the admission of the first three women students in 1893, and it celebrated the accomplishments of women students and alumni over the past century. Forty-six percent of AuburnÕs 21,226 students are women. Breeden, a member of the AU Foundation Board and the National Campaign Committee for Campaign Auburn, turned to AU President William V. Muse for advice on another way to help the university. ÒDr. Muse pointed out that Auburn needs funds to compete for bright young faculty scholars,Ó he said. ÒAuburn doesnÕt have nearly enough resources to maintain adequate faculty development, and this support is a way of addressing that need.Ó Having previously established an Eminent Scholar Chair in the humanities, Breeden was interested in ways to support quality instruction when Muse suggested the endowment for faculty development. ÒThat sounded like an area where support is definitely needed,Ó he said. ÒThe quality of Auburn can be no better than its faculty, so we need to take steps to ensure that we protect our quality base.Ó Muse said the scholarship and faculty development endowments will improve the value of an Auburn education. ÒIt takes good students and good faculty to produce good graduates,Ó he said. ÒDan Breeden and leaders like him recognize the connection between endowments and education quality. Future generations will get a better education because of the vision and commitment of these leaders.Ó Breeden, who received an honorary degree from Auburn in 1993, has also provided support for the College of Engineering, Draughon Library and the athletic program. He is president and director of Rees Inc., a Fremont, Ind., manufacturer of electrical controls. He is also active in civic activities in the Fremont area, where he is a former trustee and president of Cameron Memorial Hospital and a former member of the Fremont Community School Board. # # # may95:breeden