The Career Award for Environmental Stewardship recognizes successful translation of scientific knowledge into the social/public arena through policy or regulatory reform, research that enhances freshwater ecosystem rehabilitation or conservation, or public outreach and science education that strengthens public support for managing freshwater ecosystems.
"The SFS Career Awards recognize those who have made outstanding contributions in
advancing freshwater science through research, translating this science into policy or social
action, and service to SFS,” said Dr. Sherri Johnson, President of the Society. “We are proud to
honor Dr. Johnson and colleagues who have demonstrated excellence in research, leadership,
and service, as well as communication in the field of freshwater science."
Lucinda B. Johnson is an aquatic and landscape ecologist whose research focuses on the impacts of multiple stressors on aquatic ecosystems with emphasis on human activities (e.g., land use) and climate change. She has recently been named a Senior Research Fellow after stepping down as the Director of Research at NRRI. She leads and advises multidisciplinary research teams that address issues of regional to global concern, with particular emphasis on the Laurentian Great Lakes.
Her research and advisory activities lie at the nexus of research, management, and policy. She currently serves as U.S. Co-Chair of the International Joint Commission’s Science Advisory Board Science Priority Committee, also serves as vice chair of the Executive Committee for EPA’s Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC), and has served on the Minnesota Governor’s Climate Change Advisory Council. During her career, she has participated in a number of EPA Advisory Panels, including Lake Erie Phosphorus Reduction, Effects of Connectivity on Downstream Waters (an ongoing effort to expand coverage under the Clean Waters Act), Mountaintop Mining, and Benchmarks for a Conductivity Standard. As vice chair of the EPA BOSC she led the review of the agency’s research on PFAS. Johnson served as SFS Secretary for two terms, as President for one term, and was named an SFS Fellow in 2020.
She credits mentors and colleagues, especially Judy Meyer and Cliff Dahm, with providing
opportunities early in her career that opened doors to the deeply satisfying work involved in
environmental stewardship.
SFS will present Dr. Johnson with the 2024 Career Award for Environmental Stewardship at the
Society’s 2024 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia in June.