[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 191 (Tuesday, December 13, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S8544]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO MIKE RISKA

 Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to 
reflect on the career of the executive director of the Delaware Nature 
Society, Michael E. Riska. Mike is retiring this year after serving as 
executive director for 28 wonderful years spent opening the minds and 
hearts of Delawareans young and old to the splendor of our natural 
world.
  Mike Riska attended West Chester University and earned a bachelor of 
science with a double major in biology and physical education. He also 
earned his master's in education in Natural Science from the University 
of Delaware. He is a certified teacher in biology, general science, 
health, and physical education.
  Truly devoted to educating students in the natural sciences, Mike 
began his career as a teacher at the Tatnall School in Greenville, DE. 
He taught science to students in the first through eighth grades and 
taught eight 5-week upper-school marine ecology courses based on 
Sanibel Island, FL.
  Mike took his love of science and education to the Delaware Nature 
Society in 1969, where he started as a part-time instructor and youth 
programs director. He was part of the initiative to transform the H.B. 
DuPont Farm into a learning environment for students across Delaware. 
For my first job, as a seventh grader, I was hired by Mike to assist 
other Delaware youngsters in building the trails that would soon become 
Ashland Nature Center. Every year thousands of students, including my 
own children, attend summer camps and class field trips at the Ashland 
Nature Center, where they learn about nature, ecology, and 
conservation.
  Mike Riska was appointed to executive director of the Delaware Nature 
Society in 1984, just the third person to serve in this capacity. With 
Mike at the helm, the Delaware Nature Society earned record donations 
for furthering its mission of fostering understanding, appreciation, 
and enjoyment of the natural world through education. The society also 
worked to preserve ecologically significant areas and advocate 
stewardship and conservation of natural resources.
  Mike has been recognized with several awards, including the Nature 
Conservancy Lifetime Conservation Achievement Award in 1997, an 
Exceptional Leadership Award from the Association of Nature Center 
Administrators' Board of Directors in 1999, and the 1999 President's 
Award of Association of Nature Center Administrators for dedication and 
service to the nature center profession. The Association of Nature 
Center Administrators recognized him as the recipient of its 2002 
Leadership Award.
  Mike has worked closely with several other Delaware nature 
conservancy organizations and is admired and respected by his peers. 
Andrew Manus, director of conservation programs of the Delaware Chapter 
of the Nature Conservancy, said:

       Let me add my voice of congratulations to others who have 
     benefitted from the years of dedicated service that Mike 
     Riska has brought to conservation in Delaware. The Delaware 
     Nature Society has been well served by his leadership, as has 
     the greater conservation community in Delaware. Mike's 
     thoughtful advocacy for the natural world in Delaware will be 
     his endearing legacy for us all to enjoy.

  Roger L. Jones, State director of the Delaware Chapter of the Nature 
Conservancy, stated:

       Mike Riska's legacy is very simple--he instilled a passion 
     for nature and a boundless commitment for protecting our 
     environment within thousands of people in Delaware.

  Lorraine Fleming, 2005 Delaware Audubon Conservation Award recipient, 
said:

       Natural science and environmental education is Mike Riska's 
     first love. It has been the foundation for his visionary 
     leadership of the Delaware Nature Society over 28 years as 
     executive director and before that as assistant director. 
     Recognition and cultivation of staff and volunteers is Mike's 
     natural strength. While he is always quick to give credit to 
     his staff members and the society's large cadre of 
     volunteers, the overall direction and support for DNS' 
     accomplishments has consistently come from Mike. Mike's 
     legacy is an enduring preeminent Delaware environmental 
     organization that is nationally renowned among nature 
     centers.

  Mr. President, today I honor Mike Riska's legacy and accomplishments 
at the Delaware Nature Society. It is an honor to call him my first 
boss, a fellow advocate, and my friend.

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