PL 1

ESA Opening Plenary Session

The Regional Policy Award recognizes an elected or appointed official in the area where the Annual Meeting is held in recognition of their use of ecological science when making policy decisions. The awardee involves the local community in the decision-making process and demonstrates a sound record of environmental policy decisions. The Honorable Ben Cardin Senator for Maryland A third-generation Marylander, Ben Cardin has been a national leader on health care, retirement security, the environment and fiscal issues while representing the people of Maryland in the U.S. Senate, and before that in the House of Representatives. The Crossroads Project: At the dawn of the 21st century, humanity has arrived at an extraordinary Crossroads—a time and place where scientific ability to identify unprecedented risk intersects a societal inability to respond. The Crossroads Project is grounded in science, elevated by art, in service of genuine understanding, and determined to unlock a growing desire for meaningful response.