Archaeologist Joins UNLV Public Lands Institute

January 6, 2006

LAS VEGAS-The University of Nevada, Las Vegas Public Lands Institute, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Forest Service, has named Debra Dandridge to lead its Interagency Science and Research Strategy. Dandridge will collaborate with the four agencies to develop a coordinated interagency science initiative for federal lands in southern Nevada. Specifically, the program will conduct research and find solutions to address agency needs in the areas of ecosystem health, wildlife and habitat management, physical resources, natural and cultural resources, anthropology, and social sciences.

Dandridge comes to UNLV from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, where she completed interdisciplinarydoctoral studies in archaeology. In addition, she has more than 20 years of experience working as a federal program manager and archaeologistwith experience in the Great Plains and the Southwest. Areas of expertise include historic preservation and cultural resources management.

“We are excited to have Dr. Dandridge join our efforts to increase the effectiveness of scientific research on federal lands,” said Nancy Flagg, director of the Public Lands Institute. “She will work closely with our federal partners to identify their strategic needs, integrate efforts to reduce redundancy, improve communication between the agencies and science providers, and develop funding mechanisms to support research programs.”

The Public Lands Institute is dedicated to strengthening the national fabric that is essential for the protection, conservation, and management of public lands. Its innovative partnership with the four land management agencies was formally established in April 2004 to implement cooperative projects through the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act that fit theuniversity’s educational and research strengths.The act specifies that a portion of the proceeds from federal land sales in southern Nevada be used for capital improvements,education, and conservation initiatives on public lands.

More information about the UNLV Public Lands Institute and SNPLMA is available at http://publiclands.unlv.edu.

UNLV is a doctoral-degree-granting institution with more than 27,000 students and approximately 2,800 faculty and staff. More than 200 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees are offered. Founded in 1957, UNLV is located on 337 acres in dynamic Southern Nevada. The university is ranked in the category of Doctoral/Research Universities-Intensive by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.