I am a wetland ecologist with abiding interest in understanding processes controlling biological and functional diversity of wetlands, and application of science to conservation and management of wetland ecosystems. My professional goal is to play a role in seeing that humans do not further diminish biological diversity. I work to achieve this goal in research by trying to identify local and landscape mechanisms by which wetland plant diversity is maintained. In teaching, I strive to help students think in terms of connections -- between organisms and their environment, among ecosystems within a landscape, between human actions in the landscape and observed changes in ecosystems. In order to keep my research and teaching grounded in the messy world in which humans make decisions about wetlands and other ecosystems, I involve myself continuously in work with various state and federal resource management agencies and with private conservation organizations. At present, I serve as the Past-President of the Society of Wetland Scientists, a Trustee for the Adirondack Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, and member of a National Research Council committee on restoration of the Everglades. My work for the New York State Office of the Attorney General was quoted in a 2006 decision of the U.S. Supreme Court. I have earned three national awards recognizing my ability to translate science to policy makers, and been recognized by both my college and university for outstanding teaching. I have been at Cornell for 26 years.