January 30, 2007

News from the Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Environmental and Watershed Research

Headlines:

• NEW - Environmental Seminars @ UMaine
• Feb. 1 ESI Discussion to Focus on Stakeholders
• 2007 Maine Water Conference - 3/21/2007
  Poster Abstract Deadline
  Registration Information

Environmental Seminars @ UMaine

At the request of faculty and staff, the Mitchell Center has put together a combined listing of environmental seminars taking place at the Univesity of Maine. This listing contains seminars offered by various departments including Marine Sciences, Biological Sciences, Wildlife Ecology, Forest Resources, and Resource Economics and Policy. More seminars will be added as they become available.

Please note that if you plan on attending any of these seminars, you should check directly with the department contact for cancellations and updates.

UMaine Environmental Seminars listing:
http://www.umaine.edu/waterresearch/outreach/environment_seminars.htm

UMaine departments who would like to have seminars included should contact Ruth Hallsworth at 207/581-3196.

Environmental Solutions Initiative

Feb. 1 Discussion to Focus on Stakeholder Involvement

In January, 2007, the Environmental Solutions Initative (ESI) launched a pilot project to explore the social, economic, and environmental effects of alternative development scenarios in the lower Penobscot River watershed and bay.

This discussion will continue on February 1, when our panelists will include Gayle Zydlewski (Cove Brook Watershed Council), Sally Jacobs (Orono Land Trust), John Burrows (Atlantic Salmon Federation), and Tom Brann (Hampden Council member). All are involved with
initatives affecting the lower Penobscot River watershed and bay, including open space protection, watershed restoration, and riverfront revitalization. Catherine Schmitt, Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Environmental and Watershed Research and Maine Sea Grant,
will facilitate.

On February 8, Kathleen Bell (Dept. of Resource Economics and Policy) and Rob Lilieholm (School of Forest Resources) will lead a discussion to examine and synthesize some of
the key issues that have emerged in the previous weeks. One key goal of this discussion is to begin an assessment of the potential for interdisciplinary research teams to develop issue-specific “products” (e.g., data syntheses, scenario evaluations, or decision-support tools) that can address stakeholder concerns and needs.

All presentations and discussions 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.

Sponsored by the Mitchell Center, the Graduate Program in Ecology & Environmental Science, and the School of Marine Sciences.

Go to http://www.umaine.edu/waterresearch/esi for more information on the Environmental Solutions Initiative.

2007 Maine Water Conference - 3/21/2007

Poster Abstract Deadline February 23rd

Posters invited for display will address one or more aspects of water quality or quantity issues. These may include chemical, biological, hydrological, and geochemical aspects of surface and ground waters, and their policy and economic implications.

Poster abstracts will be accepted for juried high school, undergraduate and graduate competitions. Non-student poster presentations based on appropriate research findings are
also accepted for display. However, space is limited and student submissions will take precedence.

Undergraduate and graduate students should go to http://www.umaine.edu/waterresearch/mwc/poster_07.htm for complete abstract and poster guidelines.

High School students should go to
http://www.umaine.edu/waterresearch/mwc/high_school_07.htm for complete abstract and poster guidelines.

Registration Information

Registration before 3/3/07 is only $38 and includes all conference sessions, breaks, and lunch. Registration is limited to 350 attendees. Discounts are available for students giving oral or poster presentations. A limited number of scholarships for high school and undergraduate student admission are also available.

• Registration Fee: $38
• Late Registration Fee (after 3/2/06): $50
• Student Fee (for presenting students): $20

Registration forms are available online at
http://www.umaine.edu/waterresearch/mwc/Registration_07.htm.
If you would prefer to have a registration form faxed or mailed to you, please call 207/581-3244.

Information for exhibitors and vendors is available at:
http://www.umaine.edu/waterresearch/mwc/Exhibitor_07.htm.