Hat tip to Betsy Leggat for uncovering news of classmate Margaret Spring: “I clicked on a story about plastic waste in the United States and a report calling for a national strategy on plastic pollution in the world’s oceans (spoiler alert—the United States comprises only 4 percent of the world’s population but provides 20 percent of plastic trash).” The report Betsy noticed was issued by a national committee chaired by our own ’82, Margaret Spring, who also serves as chief conservation and science officer at the Monterey Bay (California) Aquarium. Plastic waste is found in almost every marine habitat, from the ocean surface to deep sea sediments. What path did Margaret take between Hanover and Monterey that led to her chairing the National Academies of Science, Engineering, Medicine’s committee on U.S. contributions to global ocean plastic waste? “Like many of us, I arrived in Hanover with a jumble of interests, curiosity, and a thirst for knowledge and no career path in mind. At Dartmouth I combined my long fascination with the ocean and environment with earth science classes, eventually focusing on environmental solutions. After Duke Law School and two fellowships and externships in D.C., I began a career in environmental law, first in private practice counseling corporations on waste and pollution compliance, then in government focusing on ocean and climate law and policy in the U.S. Senate and then in the Obama administration. My husband, Mark Bunter (a California-born winemaker), and I moved to Monterey in 2013, and it’s been fantastic. I recently chaired a committee for the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine around ocean plastic called for by the 2020 bipartisan Save Our Seas 2.0 Act. On December 1, 2021, we released our study. I invite everyone to learn about what we can all do—the next generation is counting on us!” As a result of Margaret’s committee’s work, negotiation of an ocean plastic pollution treaty is on the agenda in the United Nations. Margaret is one among many ’82s whose professional and personal passions are focused on environmental sustainability. Lydia Chambers advocates for clean water and more in her New Jersey community. She has served on her local planning board and is currently cochair of a regional pollinator working group. Sam Carlson isanother pollinator advocate. Arecent project with Green Lantern Solar in Vermont is turning land under solar arrays and power lines into habitat for native pollinators. Katie Stearns Friday (U.S. Forest Service)and J.B. Friday (University of Hawaii) have long devoted their work lives to forest stewardship in Hawaii. Gina Blus writes: “[In 2021] I moved from Oakland, California, to Post Mills, Vermont, to White River Junction, Vermont, to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where I plan to stay forever. I aspire to less packing and more fun in the year ahead and hope the same for you.” Mike Berg shared his aspirations for ’22: “They are simple. I want to ski and travel someplace sunny this winter, enjoy good health, and reconnect with lots of friends and classmates post-pandemic.” Well said, Mike!

—Jenny Chandler Hauge, 3506 Idaho Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20016; jchandlerhauge@gmail.com; David Eichman, 9004 Wonderland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046; dme4law@sbcglobal.net