Newly appointed Icelandic Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson has chosen the Westfjords for his first official visit into the Icelandic countryside. Guðmundur was an instructor in the CMM program in 2011-2012, and specially requested a time to meet with CMM students at the University Centre of the Westfjords.

A group of thirty first- and second- year students, alums, and UW faculty and staff were present for an informal chat with Guðmundur and his advisors over pizza and beer - important parts of graduate school, Guðmundur agrees! He spoke with the students about his academic and professional background and his top objectives for his time in office and then gave the floor to the students for questions, comments and even advice on important issues for the Ministry to address. Topics discussed included climate change and emission reductions, national parks and protected areas, plastics in the marine environment, invasive species, and the relationship between increasing tourism and nature protection.

This night was the epitome of what students read about Iceland before they arrive: stick around long enough through the dark winter and you are bound to end up in a room with a top level government official deeply discussing important topics!