“Tom’s outreach focus will be to foster sustainable, resilient and thriving coastal communities that successfully balance economic development and environmental protection while preparing for water-relevant threats and hazards,” said Minnesota Sea Grant Director John Downing.
Sea Grant’s coastal resiliency program seeks to increase awareness and understanding of coastal issues and hazards among residents, landowners, businesses, stakeholders, educators and professionals in natural resource agencies and organizations.
Since 2013, Beery has worked with the Man and Biosphere Health Research Group at Kristianstad University in Sweden where he was an assistant professor and a postdoctoral fellow in the School of Education and the Environment.
“I believe strongly in the power of public engagement and social science research to support successful community environmental decision-making,” said Beery. “Duluth is special. I am eager to return to once again be a part of the vibrant research, education and public-service community.”
Beery will work with communities, businesses and citizens to find the kinds of science they need to be resilient in the face of extreme weather and other coastal hazards. He will also develop and lead workshops and other education programs for teachers, community leaders, natural resource professionals and other stakeholders.
Beery earned a doctorate in education, teaching and learning from UMD, a master’s degree in environmental education from UMD, and a bachelor of science degree in education from the University of Wisconsin Madison. He taught in fifth-grade classrooms, for the Isle Royale Institute, and the Lake Superior Center and Great Lakes Aquarium. Before he left for Sweden, Beery was also a popular instructor at the Center for Environmental Education in UMD’s Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.
Minnesota Sea Grant facilitates interactions among the public and scientists to enhance the environment and economies along Lake Superior and Minnesota's inland waters by identifying information needs, fostering research, and communicating results. Minnesota Sea Grant is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the University of Minnesota. It is part of NOAA Sea Grant, a network of 33 similar science-based programs.
Visit the Minnesota Sea Grant website.