The Odum School of Ecology embodies the motto of the University of Georgia: To teach, to serve and to enquire into the nature of things. First, building on Gene Odum’s legacy, we have developed world-class educational programs taught by award-winning educators that attract students from across the globe. Second, our students and faculty serve communities from the north Georgia mountains to the coast, and from downtown Atlanta to rural Clay County.  And third, what we teach and how we serve is founded upon exceptional scientific research that is peer-reviewed and published in the world’s top journals. Our faculty and students publish around 200 papers each year, with five articles in the world’s top two journals (Science and Nature) in the last two years alone. That remarkable statistic demonstrates that the Odum School, despite our modest size, remains a world leader in scientific research dedicated to understanding the way the world works.

Because our teaching and service are founded in the quality of our research, we must remain resilient to variation in levels of scientific funding and responsive to public uncertainty of the role of science in people’s lives. The public have a right to know why our science matters, and we have a mandate to explain it. And we must explain our science clearly and often, particularly to those from local to federal levels who have control over how (or if) science is used to develop policy.  Let’s be clear: There’s a name for decision-making that is not founded in strong science—it’s called guessing. Guessing is not a viable strategy for ensuring the long-term survival of biodiverse ecosystems or the health and well-being of humanity.  In the Odum School, our communications team (Allyson Mann, Allison Floyd and Dan Humphrey) work with students and faculty to share the results of their scientific studies and why they matter to all of us. Please join me in thanking them for their commitment to the mission of the Odum School as you read this issue of EcoVoice E-News.

Which brings me full circle. EcoVoice celebrates the Odum School across its tripartite mission of teaching, service and research and how they intertwine with one another. In this issue, fundamental research on alligators teaches us that mercury is accumulating in the Okefenokee Swamp. Mercury is highly toxic, with substantial negative effects on the human brain, heart, kidneys, lungs and immune system. If you fish or hunt in the Okefenokee or its shared waterways, you may be at risk of exposure. On a brighter note, collaborative research on the endangered laurel dace, a fish endemic to the Cumberland Plateau, has inspired local communities to celebrate Laurel Dace Day, with a road race, farmer’s market, live music and educational booths.  In this case, Odum researchers and their collaborators are bringing communities together to embrace their local environment and support its conservation.

Throughout this issue of EcoVoice, whether it’s research on mosquitos, corals, fish, forests or killer bees, you’ll find the same commitment to fundamental science and a recognition of its importance to driving opportunities in education and public service throughout Georgia and beyond. This is the Odum Difference—harnessing exceptional ecological science to make positive change in the world. In the face of funding uncertainty and controversy surrounding the role of science in public policy, our community sets the bar on how to do it right.