Miriam Geitz

Dear Geoff – so much to thank you for in the almost to the day six years we have been working together. I can honestly say it has always been a pleasure!

We were so pleased to have snatched you from USGS, and my first and still so vivid memory of our time together is the polar bear team meeting in Washington in May 2008. Just one week into your official start with WWF, we had gathered to strategize and communicate around this magnificent species. Yet, we were alert and tense, because any day now the Department of the Interior would say its verdict on whether the polar bear would be listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Rumors had been flying about for days and weeks, but when we got news that the announcement was coming, all of WWF seemed turned into a beehive – people racing in all directions, phoning, setting up interviews and the whole shabang. And you in the middle of it, on day 8 or 9 of your work with WWF. What a baptism of fire! And you managed brilliantly. Like so many times after that 

Top 3 things I will miss about you?
1) Your sense of humour
2) The way you impress with your knowledge and integrity without trying to (not many people around in the network that don’t try ;)
3) Our one-liner email conversations

I am so glad you will stay a champion of the biggest white furry animal on this planet and our paths will cross also in your new position.

So, happy new adventures, my friend. You are always welcome in Oslo (and its hinterland ;)

Big hug,
Miriam