October 6 , 2006
News from the Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Environmental and Watershed Research
Headlines:
Environmental Solutions Initiative
Fall 2006 Invited Speakers
The Mitchell Center is pleased to host an interdisciplinary initiative of UMaine faculty, students, and others interested in improving links between knowledge and action regarding environmental management and sustainable development. Several distinguished speakers will share their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities associated with creating interdisciplinary research and teaching programs focused on solving pressing environmental problems.
Speakers will give a formal presentation for approximately one hour, followed by an extended discussion period for 30-60 minutes.
Thursday, October 12 (1-3pm)
William Schlesinger, Dean, Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University
Seminar Title: "The Nicholas School of the Environment: Innovations in interdisciplinary environmental science"
Bill will discuss his hands-on experience leading the Nicholas School at Duke University. He will offer insights on the factors that contribute to successful interdisciplinary environmental teaching and research programs.
Thursday, October 26 (12:30-2pm)
Mary Cathcart and Lee Webb, Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy, UMaine
Seminar Title: To be announced
Mary and Lee have extensive experience in state-level politics and policy development. They will discuss their recent research focusing on how UMaine researchers can meet State needs more effectively.
Thursday, November 16 (1-3pm)
David Cash, Director of Air Quality, State of Massachusetts
Seminar Title: To be announced
David will discuss (among other things) work that he completed while at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. This research focused on links between scientific assessments of environmental risks and local decision making.
Thursday, December 7 (1-3 pm)
Robert Kates, Distinguished Scientist, Clark University
Seminar Title: To be announced
A member of the National Academy of Sciences and recipient of the National Medal of Science, Bob will discuss his work on the research strategies and institutional innovations needed to effect a transition to sustainability.
Refreshments will be served.
All seminars will take place in Room 107, Norman Smith Hall, University of Maine, Orono, Maine and are open to all. For parking permits and directions contact Ruth Hallsworth
at hallsworth@maine.edu.
All seminars will take place in Room 107, Norman Smith Hall, University of Maine, Orono, Maine and are open to all. For parking permits and directions contact Ruth Hallsworth at hallsworth@maine.edu. Click here for a complete list of upcoming fall seminars.
Project WET / Native Waters Educators Workshop
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Maine Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) is an interdisciplinary water science and education program for formal and non-formal educators of k-12 students. The next Project WET workshop will take place on Thursday, October 26, 2006 from 9am-3pm at the Penobscot Indian Nation's Department of Natural Resources, Indian Island, Old Town, Maine. 0.6 CEUs are available.
Participants will receive hands-on experience with Project WET activities, and will receive the award winning teachers' guide containing more than 90 terrific lessons to teach about water resources and issues. Project WET activities are engaging, interdisciplinary, and fun!
Scott Frazier Santee/Crow, Executive Director of Project Wet's Native Waters program, and educators from Maine's tribal communities will be joining us for this workshop. Native Waters is an outreach program of Project WET International Foundation, based in Bozeman, MT; dedicated to increasing awareness for indigenous water resources worldwide. Project WET began Native Waters as a community education initiative by supporting the efforts of tribal leaders, educators, and students. Native Waters intends to create contemporary, scientifically accurate, and culturally sensitive water education resource programs and networking opportunities for tribal and non-tribal educators.
Registration:
The registration fee is $25/participant which includes the Educator's Guide (scholarships are available). The workshop is limited to 25 participants.
To register contact:
Angie Reed, Water Resources Planner for the Penobscot Nation: areed@penobscotnation.org – tel: 207-817-7360,
OR:
Lynne Richard, Maine Project WET Coordinator
lrichard@pwd.org - 207-774-5961 ext 3324
Click here for more information on Project WET.
National Ground Water Research and Educational Foundation funds MTBE project
John Peckenham recently received an award from the National Ground Water Research and Educational Foundation. The foundation made three awards totaling $14,000, the first
such grants ever made by the Foundation. Peckenham's proposal titled, MTBE. Will it ever disappear?, will provide needed measurements to determine the lag between changing
fuel composition and the disappearance of MTBE from ground water. This project is a continuation of a collaborative effort between the University of Maine, the U.S. Geological
Survey, and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The uncertainty of the regulatory process and the documented occurrences of MTBE in ground water make this research both timely and very much needed for ground water planning in many parts of the nation.
UMaine research on mercury pollution featured at international meeting
Eleven different UMaine scientists, students and alumni, who study various aspects of mercury pollution presented their work at the Eighth International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant in August. Approximately 1,200 people attended the conference, the largest meeting dedicated to mercury pollution ever in the world. The 11 UMaine presenters helped show the international scientific community that the University of Maine is at the forefront of research into the extent and effects of environmental mercury pollution.
Click here for the related press release.
|
