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, Delaware. He taught science to students in the first through eighth grades and taught eight five-week upper-school marine ecology courses based on Sanibel Island, Florida.
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.