Elon's Center for Environmental Studies will host the 10th annual Fall Environmental Forum, "A River Runs Through Us," on Friday, Sept. 30, 2011
A River Runs Through Us
Friday, Sept. 30, 2011
McKinnon Hall
Elon University Center for Environmental Studies
Morning Session: Natural Gas Extraction in NC
Moderator: N.C. Representative Alice Bordsen
9:30 Welcome – Dr. Alison Morrison-Shetlar, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Elon University
9:30 – 10:30 Shale gas and its environmental footprint
Dr. Rob Jackson, Professor, Dept. of Biology and Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University
Dr. Jackson will speak on some of his most recent research which has focused on the environmental impacts of gas extraction from shale deposits, a process known as “fracking”.
Osborn, SG, A Vengosh, NR Warner, RB Jackson. 2011. Methane contamination of drinking water accompanying gas-well drilling and hydraulic fracturing <http://www.biology.duke.edu/jackson/pnas2011.html> . Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, U.S.A. 108:8172-8176
10:30 – 11:15 A NC Environmental Health and Community Perspective on Hydraulic Fracturing
Hope Taylor – Exec. Director – Clean Water for North Carolina
Hope Taylor has been Executive Director of Clean Water for North Carolina, a science-based statewide environmental justice organization, since 1999. She has served as a Technical Assistance Grant Advisor to NC communities around Superfund sites, and currently serves on the National Drinking Water Advisory Council to EPA.
11:15 – 12:00 Potential for Natural Gas Extraction in N.C.
Dr. Kenneth B. Taylor, PG, Geological Survey Section Manager, N.C. Geological Survey
12:00 – 12:30 Panel Discussion with Speakers
Facilitator: Joy Fields, Piedmont Triad Regional Council of Governments
12:30 – 1:15 Lunch for registered participants. If faculty and staff would like to participate in lunch, please contact Dr. Janet MacFall
Afternoon Session: Community Engagement in Stewardship of our Water
1:15 – 2:00 Water in an urban setting.
Cyrus Buffum, Water Keeper for Charleston, SC, Executive Director
Since founding Charleston Waterkeeper in September of 2008, Cyrus has served as Waterkeeper and the organization’s Executive Director. He has led efforts in Charleston to foster community stewardship of the river and coastal waters. In 2010, GQ selected Cyrus as one of the top five finalists of their Better Men Better World search for his commitment and dedication in establishing Charleston Waterkeeper.
2:00 – 2:45 Equitable distribution of ecosystem services in the Triangle Region of N.C.
Dr. Melissa Mchale , Assistant Professor, Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Misalignment of human and natural boundaries can lead to the abuse of environmental resources and the inequitable distribution of ecosystem services. We are linking data on landcover, landuse planning, socio-economic status, lifestyle choices, and water quality to determine how socio-ecological patterns and processes affect supply and demand of ecosystem services. Our challenge is to integrate results from this research to model the effects of urbanization on water quality and expand our analyses to incorporate other ecosystem services in the region.
2:45 – 3:30 Piedmont Nutrient Reduction Sourcebook: A guide for managing and reducing nutrients in North Carolina Piedmont waters
Liz Jernigan, Stormwater Outreach and Education Coordinator, Piedmont Triad Regional Council
Ms. Jernigan will present a guide for enhancing water quality through nutrient management in the N.C. Piedmont.
3:30 – 4:15 Conservation through Recreation
Brian Baker, Haw River Trail Coordinator, Alamance County Dept. of Parks and Recreation
The Haw River, flowing through the north central Piedmont of North Carolina, has had a history linked to agriculture, revolutionary war battles, textiles, waste disposal, and critical wildlife habitat. Funded initially by the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, the Haw River Partnership was formed by Elon University, the Cities of Burlington and Graham, and Alamance County to create a cultural and conservation corridor centered on the river. This partnership is engaging the community through recreation to support conservation and stewardship of this river.
This event is co-sponsored by the Elon University Center for Environmental Studies and the Elon University Office of Sustainability