Celebrating Professor John Callaway and Wishing Him a Happy Retirement

“Congratulations, John, to a career celebrating our wetlands and inspiring generations of environmental scientists! Your many accomplishments have made their own ecosystem of relationships, ideas, and energy.”
-Aaron H. (MSEM ‘16)

“Thanks to your guidance, I’ve not only learned a ton about environmental management but also gained a real appreciation for the importance of conservation and restoration efforts.”
-Holly M. (MBA/MSEM ‘25)

“You’ve been a rock steady part of the Environmental Science and Management faculty from the start, and a skilled leader to the end. You’ve mentored so many students and continue supportive relationships with so many alumni.”
-MSEM Director Professor Stephanie Siehr

These are just a few of the dozens of heartfelt messages shared by MSEM alumni, students, faculty, and staff to let Professor John Callaway know what a meaningful contribution he’s made for this community, our local wetland ecosystems, and the environmental science and management fields more broadly. That contribution will no doubt carry on, even as Professor Callaway retires from USF.

In his nearly 25 years as a professor with USF’s Environmental Science and Management programs, John has played an integral role in curriculum development, classroom instruction, and field research – helping shape the MSEM program, including multiple rounds of service as Program Director. He is beloved for providing mentorship to students, alumni, and other faculty alike. And he is well known and well respected beyond USF, having served as the Lead Scientist for the Delta Science Program and Delta Stewardship Council from 2017-2020.

His research expertise is in wetland restoration, specifically wetland plant ecology and sediment dynamics. Recent research projects have focused on the development of restored wetlands, including evaluations of the importance of plant species diversity and the role of physical heterogeneity in the development of ecosystem functions. His research includes projects in San Francisco Bay and Tijuana Estuary. This work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency, California Sea Grant, and other agencies. 

John’s work has been widely published and is often cited, representing significant contributions to the ecological field, as well as to policy on restoration and carbon sequestration. His seminal 2012 paper, “Carbon Sequestration and Sediment Accretion in San Francisco Bay Tidal Wetlands,” measured rates of wetland sediment accretion, showing that tidal wetlands were keeping pace with sea-level rise at present – yet need protection for the future. The research found a common rate of carbon sequestration across tidal wetlands, meaning that policy makers and businesses gained a reliable number for counting carbon flows in these ecosystems. This publication also showcased Dr. Callaway’s collaborative approach, with research conducted with a former student and colleagues from Louisiana. 

To say that we’ll miss him around the hallways is an understatement. To say that we’re thrilled for him and the new adventures that await in this next phase of life is a given. So, suffice it to say that we are grateful that you will always be part of the USF MSEM community, John, and we appreciate you making us all better – every day. Thank you for your many, many contributions to this important work. Congratulations on this personal milestone. Enjoy the path… and we’ll see you out on the marsh sometime soon.