John Cairns, Jr. to Receive 2001 Sustained Achievement Award

John Cairns, Jr. of Blacksburg, Virginia, has been selected to receive RNRF's 2001 Sustained Achievement Award. The award recognizes a long-term contribution and commitment by an individual.

RNRF honors Dr. Cairns for his life-long contribution of promoting interdisciplinary science. He served as curator of Limnology and associate chairman at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. He was a professor of Zoology and associate chairman of the Department of Zoology at the University of Kansas. At Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Dr. Cairns was director for the University Center for Environmental and Hazardous Materials Studies as well as Distinguished Professor of Environmental Biology.

Dr. Cairns pioneered the development of rapid biological information systems for continuously monitoring natural resources conditions. He also is a contributing pioneer in restoring damaged ecosystems and in the field now called ecotoxicology.

Dr. Cairns is a long-time advocate of use without abuse of natural resources. His commitment to sustainable use of natural resources has been demonstrated by his extensive research, writing and teaching. He has routinely worked with industry, government agencies, non-government agencies, and citizens in his work.