KINGSTON, R.I. – April 7, 2008 – The University of Rhode Island’s Tick Encounter Resource Center invites nominations for its “Think Tick, Take Action” awards, which will recognize individuals or groups that have demonstrated a commitment to raising consciousness 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 in June. Deadline for nominations is April 30.
“We want to recognize people at all levels for taking action to prevent tick bites and tick-borne diseases,” said URI Entomology Professor Thomas Mather, director of the Tick Encounter Resource Center. “We know that there are people in Rhode Island who are passionate about making a difference in the fight against ticks, and we believe they deserve recognition for their commitment to public health.”
Awards will be 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 Rhode Island citizens 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 mail to Dr. Thomas Mather, University of Rhode Island, 9 East Alumni Ave., Suite 7, Kingston, RI 02881. For additional information, contact Mather at 401-874-2928, or go to www.tickencounter.org.