URI seeks nominations for 2010 'Think Tick, Take Action' awards

Date: 3.30.2010
Thomas Mather
Todd McLeish

Peter Lord (center): 2009 Think TICK... Take Action! award winner

Thomas Mather (left) and Barbara Morse-Silva (right) present the award at the 2009 Big Tick Gala. For a recap of the 2009 Big Tick Gala, click here.

The University of Rhode Island's Tick Encounter Resource Center, led by internationally recognized tick expert Thomas Mather, is seeking nominees for its annual "Think Tick...Take Action!" awards. The annual awards, which are co-sponsored by WJAR Channel 10, recognize individuals or groups that have demonstrated a significant commitment to raising awareness about ticks and their diseases or have taken noteworthy action to prevent tick-borne disease.

The awards will be presented in conjunction with Rhode Island's Tick Control Awareness Day celebration, "The BIG TICK Gala," being held this year on Friday, June 4 at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center greenhouses. Deadline for nominations is May 12, 2010.

In the past, awards have been presented in several categories, including individuals, non-profit and philanthropic groups, and government. Nominations should highlight the nominee's efforts to provide significant insight and application of resources to protecting citizens in Rhode Island and beyond from the impacts of diseases associated with tick bites, including Lyme disease, babesiosis and anaplasmosis. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges after reviewing nominating letters and supporting materials.

Nominations should be submitted via email to terc@uri.edu or mailed to Thomas Mather, University of Rhode Island, 9 East Alumni Ave., Suite 7, Kingston, RI 02881. For additional information on eligibility and general criteria: click here

Current Tick Activity in the Northeast and mid-West United States

February update: Adult stage Deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis) are not killed by freezing temperatures! During winter months they can still be active on days when temperatures are above freezing. Activity resumes following several consecutive days of thawing temperatures, especially if the ground thaws. Learn more about the deer tick life cycle.

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Current Tick Activity

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