CBI Senior Conservation Biologist, Dr. Wayne Spencer, received a Special Recognition Award at the 36th annual conference of the Desert Tortoise Council--a private, nonprofit organization that promotes conservation of tortoises and desert ecosystems.  The award was given in recognition of Wayne’s role in shaping scientific advice for California’s Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan--a comprehensive plan for conserving fragile desert ecosystems and species while developing large solar and wind farms throughout California’s deserts.  Wayne’s keynote address at the 2011 conference summarized consensus recommendations developed by 12 experts in desert ecology, geology, rare species, and related fields.  Wayne was asked to lead the process by California’s Deputy Secretary for Climate Change and Energy, and he served as first author of the resulting, peer-reviewed report.  Wayne is often invited to lead independent science advisory processes under California’s landmark Natural Community Conservation Planning Act of 2003.