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Peter A. Bowler

Senior Lecturer in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (SOE)

Director, UCI Arboretum and Herbarium (IRVC)

Faculty Manager, UC Natural Reserve System's San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh and Burns Pinyon Ridge Reserves

Co-Director, Interdisciplinary Minor in Global Sustainability


Ph.D., University of California, Irvine, 1974

Phone: (949) 824-0157
Fax: (949) 824-2181
Email: pabowler@uci.edu

University of California, Irvine
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (UCI)
UCI Arboretum and 361 SH
Mail Code: 2525
Irvine, CA 92697

 picture of Peter A. Bowler
Research
Interests 		Restoration Ecology/Ecological Restoration, Conservation Biology, Freshwater Biology, Environmental Ethics
   
URL www.faculty.uci.edu/profile.cfm?faculty_id=2119
   
Academic
Distinctions 		Undergraduate Academic Distinctions:

Scholarship for Academic Excellence, Bard College 1966-1969
Community Scholar, Bard College 1969-1970
NSF Summer Grant through the Smithsonian Institution 1968
Cornell Link Foundation Scholar, Cornell University 1969

Post-Undergraduate Academic Distinctions:

1970 NSF Support to Attend Woods Hole Marine Laboratory
1970-1973 NDEA Title IV Predoctoral Fellowship, UCI
1975-1976 National Research Council of Canada Postdoctoral Fellowship
Sea and Sage Audubon Society Conservation Award 1984
Student Affairs Superior/Outstanding Performance Award 1985, 1987, 1988
UCI Lauds & Laurels Community Service Award 1987
Student Selected Faculty 1991
Various Awards from Student Groups (Order of Omega Oustanding Teaching Award) 1992, 1993
Professor of the Year in the School of Biological Sciences (Dean of Undergraduate Studies) 1998
Orange County Environmental Award for Outstanding Environmental Efforts (Discovery Museum of Orange County) 2000
Excellence in Teaching 2003
Professor of the Month Teaching Award 2004
Professor of the Year (awarded by the Associated Students of UCI) 1996, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2009
   
Appointments 1975-1976 National Research Council of Canada Postdoctoral Fellowship to the National Museums of Canada (Ottawa)
   
Research
Abstract 		My research interests are diverse, encompassing open space conservation and management for wildlife; mitigation and habitat restoration as they relate to ameliorating biodiversity loss, particularly in coastal sage scrub and wetlands (ecological restoration); rare, threatened and endangered species, particularly in wetland habitats; invasive species; and environmental ethics. Current projects include a large wetland restoration in the UC Natural Reserve System’s San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh Reserve. This restoration will remove 4,100 lineal feet of roads within the wetland, creating nearly five acres of new habitat, will re-establish an aquatic, tidally influenced link between the Marsh and San Diego Creek, and will retrofit Marsh water flow infrastructure. Over a dozen acres of coastal sage scrub and 50 acres of freshwater marsh habitat have been created at UCI, and I monitor UCI’s wetland mitigation projects. Students are central to my research and help design, implement, and monitor restorations, and they share authorship in publications. Over two dozen of my Independent Research (199) undergraduate students have presented papers or posters at national symposia, and I have coauthored twelve papers with undergraduate or graduate students. My most recent book, Rio de Dios (2008), is about the Los Angeles River, and presents its history and the planned restoration of various segments. As a member of the Coastal Greenbelt Authority, being UCI’s representative to the Nature Reserve of Orange County (NROC), Chair of UCI’s Open Space Committee, and because of my affiliation with the UC Natural Reserve System, I am able to help students become involved with local research, monitoring, and surveys conducted by the USGS Biological Survey and other agencies, NROC, university research projects, various consulting groups, and others. These studies include a broad range of topics, such as invasive plant (globe artichokes, for example) and animal control, avian and wildlife monitoring in the San Joaquin Marsh Reserve, coastal cactus wren and California gnatcatcher surveys in the UCI Ecological Preserve and other Orange County sites, Pacific Pond Turtle censuses and research, bobcat population and movement monitoring, clapper rail monitoring, local restoration efforts at Crystal Cove State Park, Newport Back Bay, as well as UCI, and similar studies. I am a faculty advisor for the Orange County Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology, and help them with their restoration efforts and other projects. As Director of the UCI Arboretum and Herbarium, I am able to provide students with common garden and saran house research space, and can help them work with graduate student and faculty researchers at the Arboretum. I am a member of UCI's Sustainability Committee and assist students in accessing UCI’s sustainability programs, campus-wide efforts in this area, and related research on campus.

Courses: Limnology and Freshwater Biology (Bio. E179); Field Freshwater Ecology (Bio. E179L); Restoration Ecology (Bio. E175); Mediterranean Ecosystems: Biodiversity and Conservation (Bio. E182); Global Conservation Biology (Bio. E190); Global Sustainability Senior Seminar Series (Bio. 191 A – CW); Environmental Ethics (Bio. E189); Horticulture (Bio. 9E); Desert Ecosystems – Freshman Seminar (Bio. 2B); Restoration Ecology (Independent Study, Bio. 199); Wetland Ecology (Independent Study; Bio. 199).
   
Publications Selected publications since 1990:

Bowler, P.A. 2009. Book Review: Digging In: A Guide to Community-Based Habitat restoration. Kristina Finstad, Christiane Parry and Eben Schwartz. Ecological Restoration 27(4): 498.

Bowler, P.A. 2009. Book Review: Nursery Manual for Native Plants: A Guide for Tribal Nurseries. Ecological Restoration 27(4): 498-499.

Bowler, P.A. 2008. Artichoke as an Ecological Resource and Its Utility as a Precursor to Restoration (California). Ecological Restoration 26(1): 7-8.

Bowler, P. 2007. Rio de Dios: Thirteen Histories of the Los Angeles River. B. Bartrug, P. Bowler and C. Hood. Pp. 13 – 55. Red Hen Press. (Book)

Talluto, M.V., K. N. Suding, and P.A. Bowler. 2005. Factors affecting understory establishment in coastal sage scrub restoration. Madrono 53(1): 55-59.

Bowler, P., F. Roberts and A. Schoenherr. 2005. Plant Communities. Pp. 21 – 31; Bowler, P. Invasive Plant Species. Pp. 31-33; 34-38, in Schoenherr, A.A., D. Clarke, and E. Brown. Docent Guide to Orange County Wilderness. Published by the Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. and The Nature Conservancy.

Bowler, P.A. and M.E. Elvin. 2003. The vascular plant checklist for the University of California Natural Reserve System’s San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh Reserve. Crossosoma 29(2): 45-66.

Bowler, P.A. and D. Bramlet. 2002. Vascular plants of the University of California, Irvine Ecological Preserve. Crossosoma 28(2): 27-49.

Hartig, T., F.G. Kaiser, and P.A. Bowler. 2001. Psychological restoration in nature as a positive motivation for ecological behavior. Environment and Behavior 33(4): 590-607.

Bowler, P.A. and C.H. Hager. 2000. The ethics of plant and animal salvage in ecological restoration. Ecological Restoration 18(4): 262-263.

Bowler, P.A. 2000. Ecological Restoration of Coastal Sage Scrub and Its Potential Role in Habitat Conservation Plans. Environmental Management 26: S85-S96.

Bowler, P.A. 2000. Preserving the Higher Aims of Restoration: Toward Transpersonal Restorations. Pp.287-288. in Keeley, Jon E., M. Baer-Keeley, and C.J. Fotheringham (eds). 2nd Interface Between Ecology and Land Development in California. U.S. Geological survey Open - File Report 00-62. Sacramento, California.

Bowler, P.A., F.G. Kaiser, and T. Hartig. 1999. A Role for Ecological Restoration Work in University Environmental Education. Journal of Environmental Education 30(4): 19-26.

Bowler, P.A., A. D. Thornhill, H.J. and P.J. Bryant. 1999. Uses of the World Wide Web in Conservation Biology and Environmental Education. Crossosoma 25(1): 9-16.

Bowler, P.A. and E. Read (eds.). 1999. Proceedings of the Coastal Sage Scrub Restoration Symposium held at the Fifth Annual Conference of the Society of Ecological Restoration. Special Publication No. 1 of The Society for Ecological Restoration, California Chapter. (Book)

Friedland, A.J., P. Bowler, T.E. Cobb, E. Ertel, S.E. Postawko, T. Recalde, J.A. Treharne, J. Lanza, T.G. Corley, and B.D. Nichols. 1997. Advanced Placement Course Description. Environmental Science Acorn Book. The College Entrance Examination Board and Educational Testing Service.

Hartig, T., F.G. Kaiser, and P.A. Bowler. 1997. Further Development of a Measure of Perceived Environmental Restorativeness. Arbetrsrapport/Working Paper No. 5. Institute for Housing Research, Uppsala University.

Bowler, P.A. 1996. Hand-weeding controls invasive sea fig (California). Restoration and Management Notes 14(1): 78-79.

Bowler, P.A., W. Weber, and R.E. Reifner, Jr. 1996. A checklist of the lichens of San Clemente Island, California. Bulletin of the California Lichen Society 3(2): 1-8.

Bowler, P.A. and R.G. Demerjian. 1996. Low-cost, user-friendly computer program provides digitized habitat emulation (California). Restoration and Management Notes 14(2): 186.

Bowler, P.A., T. Johnson, and W.J. Mautz. 1996. Flash-Freezing Using Cold Fluids: Field and Laboratory Methods for Preventing Retraction of Snails during Fixation. Molluscan Studies 62:124-126.

Read, E.A., M. Blane, and P.A. Bowler. 1996. Restoration of coastal sage scrub. Ecesis 6(2): 1, 4-5.

Bowler, P.A. 1995. The impact of the Bliss (Idaho) landslide of 1993 on sensitive mollusc habitat. Abstract. Proceedings of the Desert Fishes Council 26: 68-69.

Bowler, P.A. 1995. The Middle Snake River: Ecological Risk Assessment and Strategies for Recovery. Pp. 3-53 to 3-61. In U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Proceedings of the Fourth National Conference on Water Quality Standards for the 21st Century. EPA-820-R-95-001.

Bowler, P.A. 1995. Impact of Postfire Hydroseeding on Sensitive Plant Communities in Laguna Canyon, California. Pp. 193-194, in Keeley, J.E. and T, Scott. Brushfires in California: Ecology and Resource Management. International Association of Wild Fire.

Riefner, R.E., Jr., P.A. Bowler, J. Marsh and T.H. Nash, III. 1995. Niebla tuberculata (Ramalinaceae): A New Lichen from California. Mycotaxon 54: 397-401.

Bowler, P.A., A. Wolf, and L. Bradley. 1995. A Checklist of the Wetland Indicator Species in Orange County, California. Crossosoma 21(1):1-39.

Bowler, P.A. and R.E. Riefner, Jr. 1995. Notes on Ramalinaceae and Current Related Research in California, U.S.A. California Lichen Society Bulletin 2(1): 1-5.

Riefner, R.E., Jr., P.A. Bowler, and B. Ryan. 1995. Part I. New and Interesting Records of Lichens from California. Bulletin of the California Lichen Society 2(2): 1-11.

Bowler, P.A. 1995. Upper Newport Bay, p. 178 in Faber, P.M. (ed.). California's Wild Gardens. The California Native Plant Society for the California Department of Fish and Game. Global Interprint, Petaluma, California. (Book)

Bowler, P.A., A. Wolf, H.V. Pham, M.A. Archer, A.S. Bak, M. Bedaux, A. Chun, J.S. Crain, S. Feeney, A. Gloskowski, P. Golcher, C.J. Hodson, M.L. James, R.C. Johnson, M.S. Milane, V.H. Nguyen, and C.R. Simonds. 1994. Transplantation of Coastal Sage Scrub Seedlings from Natural Stands as a New Technique in Restoration. Restoration Management Notes 12(1): 87-88.

Hartig, T., P.A. Bowler, and A. Wolf. 1994. The Psychological Ecology of Ecological Restoration. Restoration and Management Notes 12(2): 133-137.

Bowler, P.A., R.E. Riefner, Jr., P.W. Rundel, J. Marsh and T.H. Nash, III. 1994. New Species of Niebla (Ramalinaceae) from Western North America. Phytologia 77(1): 23-37.

Riefner, R.E., Jr. and P.A. Bowler. 1994. Cushion-like fruitcose lichens as Dudleya seed traps and nurseries in coastal communties. Madrono 42:81-82.

Bowler, P.A. and A. Wolf. 1994. Exotic Plants in Mediterranean Climate Wetlands. Orange County, California: A Case Study. Crossosoma 20(1): 75-84.

Bowler, P.A. 1994. Letter to the Editor. Fremontia 22(1): 33.

Bowler, P.A. 1994. Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument; Catastrophic Bonneville Flood; Mollusks of the Middle Snake River; White Pelican; Ord's Kangaroo Rat. Capsules in Shallat, T. (ed.). 1994. Snake: The Plain and Its People. Boise State University, Boise, Idaho. (Book)

Bowler, P.A. 1994. Landuse conflicts in Southern California: Vanishing Habitats, Expanding Human Presence, and Strategies for Preservation. Abstract. Noticiero de Biologica 2(3): 15.

Hershler, R., T.J. Frest, E.J. Johannes, P.A. Bowler and F.G. Thompson. 1994. Two New Genera of Hydrobiid Snails (Prosobranchia: Rissooidea) from the Northwestern United States. The Veliger 37(3): 221-243.

Riefner, R.E., Jr. and P.A. Bowler. 1994. Ramalina baltica and Ramalina canariensis in North America. Mycotaxon 51: 495-501.

Riefner, R.E., Jr. and P.A. Bowler. 1994. Ramalina puberulenta: A New Lichen from California. Mycotaxon 52(1): 247-257.

Bowler, P.A., C.M. Watson, J.R. Yearsley, and P.A. Cirone. 1993. Assessment of Ecosystem Quality and It's Impacts on Resource Allocation in the Upper Snake River Basin. Proceedings of the Desert Fishes Council 24: 42-51.

Murphey, K.A., M.J. Freeman, and P.A. Bowler. 1993. Valley of the Mighty Snake: An Overview of the Cultural and Natural History of Hagerman Valley, Southwestern Idaho. Hagerman Valley Historical Society Report No. 1. J & D Printers, Castleford, Idaho. (Book)

Frest, T.J. and P.A. Bowler. 1993. A Preliminary Checklist of the Aquatic and Terrestrial Mollusks of the Middle Snake River Sub-Basin. Proceedings of the Desert Fishes Council 24:53-58.

Bowler, P.A. and A. Wolf. 1993. Vascular Plants of the San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh Preserve. Angiosperms - Flowering Plants. Crossosoma 19(1): 9-30.

Bowler, P.A. and T.J. Frest. 1992. Introduced Freshwater Mollusks in the Middle Snake River. Proceedings of the Desert Fishes Council 23: 28-44.

Bowler, P.A. and T.J. Frest. 1992. Snake River Mollusks: Living Fossils. Idaho Wildlife 12(1): 2, 29.

Bowler, P.A. 1992. Biodiversity Conservation in Europe and North America. II. Shrublands - In Defense of Disturbed Land. Restoration Management Notes 10(2): 144-149.

Bowler, P.A. 1991. The Rapid Spread of the Freshwater Hydrobiid Snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray) in the Middle Snake River, Southern Idaho. Proceedings of the Desert Fishes Council 21: 173-182.

Bowler, P.A. 1991. The Challenge of Living with Growth in a Healthy Environment. Crossosoma 17(3): 1-10.

Bowler, P.A. 1991. What Chief Seattle Really Said, or Ghost Riders in the Sky. Crossosoma 17:11.

Langenstein, S. and P. Bowler. 1991. On-going Macroinvertebrate Analysis Using the Biotic Condition Index and the Appearance of Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray) in Box Canyon Creek, Southern Idaho. Proceedings of the Desert Fishes Council 21: 183-194.

Bowler, P.A. and P. Olmstead. 1991. The Current Status of the Bruneau Hot Springs Snail, an Undescribed Monotypic Genus of Freshwater Hydrobiid Snail, and Its Declining Habitat. Proceedings of the Desert Fishes Council 21: 195-211.

Bowler, P.A., F.M. Roberts, Jr. and J. Simon. 1990. Management of the Winter Foraging Habitat for Canada Geese at Quail Hill. Pp. 48-55 in Bryant, P.J. and J. Remington (eds). Endangered Wildlife and Habitats in Southern California. Memoirs of the Natural History Foundation of Orange County, Vol. 3.

Bowler, P.A. 1990. Riparian Woodland: An Endangered Habitat in Southern California. Pp. 80-97 in Schoenherr, A. (eds.). Endangered Plant Communities of Southern California. Southern California Botanists Special Publication, No. 3.

Bowler, P.A. and R. Riefner. 1990. A Preliminary Lichen Checklist for the University of California, Irvine, Campus and the San Joaquin Wetlands. Crossosoma 16(6): 1-10.

Bowler, P.A. 1990. Coastal Sage Scrub Restoration - I. The Challenge of Mitigation. Restoration and Management Notes 8(2): 78-82.

Selected Technical Reports:

Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP) Scientific Advisory Panel. 22 April 2008. The Southern California Integrated Wetlands Regional Assessment Program (IWRAP) Volume 2. Design and indicators for riverine Assessment: Recommendations by the Southern California Wetlands Recovery Science Advisory Panel. 47 pp.

Bontrager, D.R., D. Kamada, M. Madden, J.L. Atwood, and P.A. Bowler. 1999. Population dynamics, dispersal, and demography of California gnatcatchers in Orange Co., California (1999 progress report). University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California. 11 pp. and 2 appendices.

Atwood, J.L., D.R. Bontrager, R. Hirsch, M. Madden, and P.A. Bowler. 1998. Population dynamics, dispersal, and demography of California gnatcatchers in Orange Co., California (1998 progress report). Unpublished report, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences, Manomet, Massachusetts and University of California, Irvine. 23 pp. and 1 appendix.

Atwood, J.L., D.R. Bontrager, M. Fugagli, R. Hirsch, D. Kamada, M. Madden, C. Reynolds, S. Tsai, and P.A. Bowler. 1998. Population dynamics, dispersal, and demography of California gnatcatchers and cactus wrens in coastal southern California (1997 progress report). Unpublished technical report, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences, Manomet, Massachusetts. 41 pp. and 5 appendices.

Natural Communities Conservation Plan (NCCP) Core Group Report. March 26, 1997. Research Guidance to address the needs of land managers. Coastal Sage Scrub Natural Community Conservation Planning. U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey. Biology Resources Center, California Science Center.

Bowler, P.A. 1981. Natural History Studies and an Evaluation for Eligibility of Box Canyon for National Natural Landmark Designation, and Natural Landmark Brief. Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service (National Park Service). Open file report.

Bowler, P.A. 1981. Natural History Studies and an Evaluation for Eligibility of the A.J. Wiley Reach of the Snake River for National Natural Landmark Designation, and Natural Landmark Brief. Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service (National Park Service). Open file report.

Bowler, P.A. 1981. Natural History Studies and an Evaluation for Eligibility of Malad Canyon for National Natural Landmark Designation, and Natural Landmark Brief. Heritage Conservation and
Recreation Service (National Park Service). Open file report.

UCI Arboretum Quarterly Articles:

Bowler, P.A. Fall 1996. Meet Our New Director, Dr. Peter Bowler. Arboretum Quarterly, pages 1-2.

Bowler, P.A. Spring 1997. From the Director. Arboretum Quarterly, page 2.

Bowler, P.A. Fall 1997. From the Director. Arboretum Quarterly, page 2.

Bowler, P.A. Winter 1998. From the Director. Arboretum Quarterly, page 2.

Bowler, P.A. Winter 1999. From the Director. Arboretum Quarterly, page 1.

Bowler, P.A. Summer 1999. From the Director. Arboretum Quarterly, page 5.

Bowler, P.A. Winter 2000. From the Director. Arboretum Quarterly, page 4.

Bowler, P.A. Fall 2000. From the Director. Arboretum Quarterly, pages 2, 4.

Bowler, P.A. Fall 2001. From the Director. Arboretum Quarterly, pages 3, 5.

Bowler, P.A. Spring 2002. Time to Reset Your Floral Clocks. Arboretum Quarterly, page 1.

Bowler, P.A. Spring 2000. From the Director: The Horticulture Class in Review. Arboretum Quarterly, page 4.

Bowler, P.A. Fall 2002. Coastal Sage Scrub Restoration in the San Joaquin Marsh. Arboretum Quarterly, pages 1-3.

Bowler, P.A. Fall 2002. Marton Varo Sculpture Finds Home at the Arboretum.
Arboretum Quarterly, page 6.

Bowler, P.A. Winter 2003. From the Director, Horticulture Class Another Big Success.
Arboretum Quarterly, page 1.

Bowler P.A. Summer/Fall 2003. A Special Note about Herbaria and the UCI Herbarium (IRVC). Arboretum Quarterly, pages 1, 6-7.

Bowler, P.A. Summer/Fall 2003. Arboretum Research Space is Research-Ready and Researcher-Friendly. Arboretum Quarterly, pages 2, 5.

Bowler, P.A. Spring-Summer 2004. Research Use of the UCI Arboretum.
Arboretum Quarterly, pages 1,4.

Bowler, P.A. Fall 2004 – Winter 2005. From the Director, Highlights of a Year of Exciting Progress. Arboretum Quarterly, pages 1,6-7.

Bowler, PA. Fall 2004 – Winter 2005. The Creation of a Wildflower & Native Grassland. Arboretum Quarterly, pages 4-5.

Bowler, P.A. Fall 2005. From the Director, A Season of Excitement at the UCI Arboretum. Arboretum Quarterly, pages 1, 5.

Bowler, P.A. Spring-Summer 2007. How are wetland plants like cattails and bulrushes able to live in water with anoxic sediments, yet still keep their roots oxygenated? Arboretum Quarterly, pages 2-3.

Bowler, P.A. Winter-Spring 2009. What’s Happening at the Marsh? Spring into Summer in the Wetlands. Arboretum Quarterly, 1, 7 – 9.

Bowler, P.A. Summer 2009. Three Botanic Experiences and Settings in Coastal Maine.
Arboretum Quarterly, pages 1, 5-6.

Bowler, P.A. Fall 2009. Re-visiting and Discovering Anew the Gardens and Botanical Secrets of Hawai'i. Arboretum Quarterly, pages 1-3.

Bowler, P.A. Fall 2009. Highlights of the Past Year's Accomplishments at the UCI Arboretum. Arboretum Quarterly, pages 4-5.
   
Grant Grant Funding beginning 1995: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Science Foundation, U.S. Geological Survey - Biological Resources Division, Southern California Edison, Marisla Foundation, Nature Reserve of Orange County, Joan Irvine-Smith Foundation, Boeing Corporation, California Coastal Conservancy, California Department of Fish and Game, CALTRANS, California Digital Library, Fleming Foundation
   
Professional
Societies 		American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta
American Institute for Biological Sciences
Botanic Gardens Conservation International
California Native Plant Society
Desert Fishes Council
Society for Conservation Biology
Society for Ecological Restoration (International)
Southern California Botanists
   
Other Experience Chair, UCI Ecological Preserve and Open Space Committee
UCI Natural Reserve System Advisory Committee
Coastal Greenbelt Authority
Nature Reserve of Orange County Technical Advisory Committee
University of California, Irvine’s Representative to the Nature Reserve of Orange County Board
Ballona Wetlands Foundation Science Advisory Board
Wetland Recovery Project (WRP) Science Advisory Panel (SAP), Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP)
Middle Snake River Snail Conservation Plan Technical Committee
Chair, UCI Academic Senate Subcommittee on Courses
UCI Sustainability Committee, see http://www.sustainability.uci.edu/committee.html
Successful Federal Listing (USFWS) of Three Freshwater Snails as Endangered or Threatened Species
Editorial Board for the journal Ecological Restoration
Research Centers University of California, Irvine Center for Environmental Biology
   
Center for Invasive Species Research, see http://cisr.ucr.edu/
   
Link to this profile http://www.faculty.uci.edu/profile.cfm?faculty_id=2119
   
Last updated 03/25/2010