The University of Georgia’s J. Marshall Shepherd was recently named the recipient of the prestigious 2023 Environmental Achievement Award. This accolade is presented annually by the Environmental Law Institute to individuals or organizations who have made notable contributions to environmental protection, conservation, and sustainability.
Dr. Shepherd is a professor of geography, the Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor, and the director of the atmospheric sciences program at the University of Georgia. Before joining the faculty at the University of Georgia, he was a research meteorologist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Dr. Shepherd is an expert in the fields of weather, climate, and remote sensing.
“Dr. Shepherd’s outstanding career and commitment to understanding and communicating about climate science and its implications for global environments and communities is truly remarkable,” said Jordan Diamond, president of the Environmental Law Institute. “With a long-standing record of exceptional scientific research, thought leadership, and public education on atmospheric sciences, he has been instrumental in bridging the gap between scientific discovery and public discourse.”
“Dr. Shepherd embodies the very essence of what the Environmental Achievement Award stands for,” added Sandra Nichols Thiam, vice president for research & policy at the Environmental Law Institute. “His dedication to both rigorous scientific inquiry and its translation to actionable insights for policymakers, communities, and the general public is unparalleled. Through his work, he has significantly advanced our collective understanding of Earth’s climate systems and the importance of proactive environmental stewardship.”
Dr. Shepherd holds bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in meteorology, all from Florida State University. He is the past president of the American Meteorological Society.
