After 9 years of blazing the trail for human dimensions research on the Marine Reserves Team, Tommy Swearingen is retiring at the end of this month (Oct 31st). As the only permanent staff tasked with developing socio-economic monitoring, Tommy’s efforts to grow the human dimensions program exceeds what any one person could imaginably do. He has contributed to over 24 publications and reports and worked with a multiple collaborators to execute the large breadth of research that is our current human dimensions program.
Tommy’s extensive knowledge of relevant federal and state natural resource policies that fostered our program’s development will leave some big shoes to fill. He has mentored more students, interns, fellows and professional colleagues than can be measured, and is always the first to remind us that the context of people and place matters. Known as the team historian, Tommy’s love of paddling rivals only his love of Oregon backpacking and remote camping.
His work will be valued for many years to come, and we wish him many good adventures, as he paddles off into retirement.