Lightning talks will be held virtually via Zoom and in-person at 107 Norman Smith Hall, UMaine. Presenting students will have 5-minutes for their talk. PowerPoint presentations are allowed but will be limited to 10 slides.
- Virtual attendance: Complete the registration form for Zoom connection information
Session Order
3:00pm-3:05pm
Welcome – David Hart, Director, Mitchell Center
3:06pm-3:11pm
Courtney Baker, Graduate student, Climate Science and Adaptation, UMaine
How the Development of a Circular Food System Will Improve Maine’s Sustainability
3:12pm-3:17pm
Sandesh Thapa, Graduate student, Forest Resources; Julian LaScala, Undergraduate, Biology and Ecology, UMaine
Influence of Biochar Application on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Two Vegetable Crops: A Paired Field and Greenhouse Study
3:18pm-3:23pm
Karina Cortijo-Robles, Graduate student, Quaternary & Climate Studies, UMaine
Communicating Nature-based Solutions for Shoreline Stabilization in Maine
3:24pm-3:29pm
Rachel Freer, Undergraduate student, Environmental Studies, Dartmouth
The effect of the municipal-level shellfish management system on shellfish harvester motivations to participate in resource conservation efforts
3:30pm-3:35pm
McK Mollner, Graduate student, Resource Economics and Policy, UMaine
The Perceptions and Reactions to Messaging on Browntail Moth Control Among Mainers
3:36pm-3:41pm
Swikar Karki, Graduate student, Plant Science, UMaine
Biochar: A Sustainable Solution for Maine’s Wild Blueberry
3:42pm-3:47pm
Kate Flynn, Undergraduate, Liberal Arts and Sciences, UMaine
Community Fridges: An Underutilized Tool in Combating Hunger and the Climate Crisis
3:48pm-4:00pm
Group Q&A
Student Abstracts
Courtney Baker, Graduate student, Climate Science and Adaptation, UMaine
How the Development of a Circular Food System Will Improve Maine’s Sustainability
The US Agriculture Industry is responsible for 10% of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, according to the EPA. In Maine, food waste comprises 30% of our solid waste stream, with approximately 200,000 tons of food being wasted. Unfortunately, most of this food waste ends up in landfills, causing harm to the environment by polluting the air and water, wasting resources like water, energy, labor, and soil, and exacerbating the impact of climate change. In addition to all this, our food system is also deprived of nutrients and energy. However, I have been working with the Food Rescue MAINE food waste program to create a circular food system map that aims to reduce food waste in Maine. This map will provide food system stakeholders, such as farmers, distributors, processors, retailers, consumers, charitable feeding partners, food waste haulers, food waste processors, food waste and food insecurity estimates, and current resources for each township, with the necessary information to make informed decisions. By prioritizing feeding people, animals, and the earth before wasting food, these stakeholders can contribute to a more sustainable and circular food system.
Sandesh Thapa, Graduate student, Forest Resources; Julian LaScala, Undergraduate, Biology and Ecology, UMaine
Influence of Biochar Application on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Two Vegetable Crops: A Paired Field and Greenhouse Study
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals and highly strong organic compounds (with multiple C-F bonds) found to be widely dispersed throughout the environment via anthropogenic activities; the application of biosolids in the farmland of Maine being a major problem. The use of climate-smart input biochar has shown some promising results in environmental mitigation, such as sorption of heavy metals and PFAS from water samples, besides its well-known agronomical benefits. Thus, this study aimed to assess the role of biochar in PFAS sorption from soils and the reduction of PFAS uptake by crops. This study was conducted to observe the effects of dilution and adsorption of PFAS on PFAS-contaminated soil by adding biochar, PFAS-free soil, or compost in either setup- greenhouse and field experiment. Also, this study focuses on understanding the influence of environmental factors on the accumulation of PFAS in different edible plant parts like fruits in tomatoes and leaves in lettuce under both greenhouse and field conditions. We are also recording physiological traits of plants like stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll content to see if there is any association with PFAS uptake by plants in varied dilution effects.
Karina Cortijo-Robles, Graduate student, Quaternary and Climate Studies, UMaine
Communicating Nature-based Solutions for Shoreline Stabilization in Maine
Intense storm and flooding events are damaging built infrastructure and natural environments along Maine’s rivers, lakes, and ocean shorelines; however, these areas can be restored to a natural state using nature-based stabilization practices, providing protection with environmental benefits. However, there is a long history, and often a preference in Maine, to use riprap stabilization practices, which we are now learning can negatively impact the environment and can fail with intense storms. Fortunately, nature-based solutions are not new to Maine and have also been used extensively to stabilize eroding shorelines on Maine’s lakes and rivers. On the coast, though there are still relatively few installed designs representing a slower shift from grey infrastructure to green infrastructure in these areas, but there is growing interest from landowners to explore these solutions. Last summer, an interdisciplinary team explored different ways to communicate the applicability and effectiveness of nature-based solutions for shoreline stabilization statewide, thus expanding access to guidance on these designs and increase participation in implementing projects by contractors, engineers, and landowners. Among the materials created are a Maine Nature-Based Solutions to Shoreline Stabilization Guide, a Selection Assessment, and an Annotated Bibliography, which will be explored in this talk with preliminary results.
Rachel Freer, Undergraduate student, Environmental Studies, Dartmouth
The effect of the municipal-level shellfish management system on shellfish harvester motivations to participate in resource conservation efforts
This study investigates the relationship between the degree of involvement of different municipal-level Shellfish Committees in Maine and the likelihood that their associated harvesters willingly participate in shellfish conservation activities. Literature suggests there may be the potential for externally imposed policy measures to either reinforce or degrade the intrinsic motivation Maine’s shellfishing communities innately hold to contribute to environmental conservation efforts.
Qualitative data was collected through the completion of twenty-five key informant interviews with a variety of Shellfish Conservation Committee members, municipal/state representatives, non-profit organizers, and academic researchers currently engaged in improving the holistic sustainability of the clam fishery. The knowledge these interviews brought to light was then applied to create a shellfish harvester survey that includes questions related to harvester participation in conservation and the perceived efficacy of current regulatory decisions. The data collected thus far shows trends of shellfish community members displaying innate motivations to contribute to conservation efforts that are supposed to better the health of the industry and resource. However, there seems to be a disconnect between people deeply caring about the fishery and the degree to which license holders participate in the necessary stewardship practices that will allow clamming to remain a viable source of income and lifestyle.
Increasing clam harvester participation in conservation has been a top priority at the local, regional and state levels of marine resource governance bodies. In attempts to support their efforts to improve engagement, taking the time to understand the lived-experience behind the occurrence of this motivational disconnect could be essential in justifying the re-alignment of management strategies to better fit both community and harvester needs.
McK Mollner, Graduate student, Resource Economics and Policy, UMaine
The Perceptions and Reactions to Messaging on Browntail Moth Control Among Mainers
The current browntail moth (BTM) outbreak is a pressing issue in Maine, yet there is limited data on the public’s perception of the environmental and public health risks associated with BTM. The moth is an invasive species that experiences cyclical population outbreaks. The current outbreak affects large portions of Maine and is the biggest one in decades. Browntail moths are considered a pest because the caterpillars shed toxic “hairs”. These hairs are microscopic, and may cause rash and respiratory distress to humans. The caterpillar feeds on trees, causing stress which may lead to tree death.
While there has been substantial literature investigating citizen willingness to finance solutions to other environmental issues, the ongoing BTM outbreak has yet to be thoroughly investigated. To investigate this, a mixed mode survey was distributed to 16,614 Maine households via mail during Summer 2023. The survey also collected responses through online newsletters. Preliminary data has been analyzed to help better understand Mainer’s concerns about BTM, what control strategies they support to better inform policy, and to help guide future BTM research and potential public outreach. Our research poses three key questions to assess Mainers’ willingness to contribute to BTM infestation control and management: Is the control method important in making contribution choices? Are the application methods important in individuals’ decision-making? What is the willingness to participate in control programs?Utilizing survey responses, we are building a willingness-to-pay model to help us understand the factors influencing Mainers’ decisions around BTM.
Swikar Karki, Graduate student, Plant Science, UMaine
Biochar: A Sustainable Solution for Maine’s Wild Blueberry
Maine’s iconic wild blueberry crop faces an increase in water scarcity intensified by climate change. With over 70% of wild blueberry farms lacking irrigation, they are highly susceptible to water shortages. This issue is further compounded by extreme weather events, including heatwaves and erratic rainfall. To address these pressing challenges and enhance wild blueberry agricultural sustainability, there is a growing interest in exploring novel approaches. One promising solution gaining considerable attention is using biochar as a soil amendment. Biochar, a carbon-rich material with unique soil-enhancing properties, offers a potential solution. Its porous structure, high surface area, low bulk density, and nutrient retention capabilities improve soil quality, aiding water retention and nutrient availability.
Our research takes a comprehensive approach to addressing Maine’s wild blueberry agriculture water scarcity crisis by testing biochar applications. We aim to demonstrate the efficacy of locally produced biochar products in improving water use efficiency for Maine’s wild blueberry system, with specific objectives to develop testing guidelines and practical application recommendations. Additionally, we assess biochar’s impact on soil, crop physiology, berry production, cost-effectiveness, regional effects, and the supply chain, conducting a life cycle assessment, and evaluating economic and policy implications.
These outcomes hold the potential to benefit not only the wild blueberry industry but also the broader forest sector, inform policymakers, and provide essential preliminary data for an extensive field study, ultimately securing a sustainable future for this vital industry in Maine.
Kate Flynn, Undergraduate, Liberal Arts and Sciences, UMaine
Community Fridges: An Underutilized Tool in Combating Hunger and the Climate Crisis
In the simplest terms, a community fridge is an accessible resource for anyone stocked with food that would otherwise go to waste. We may not think much of tossing forgotten loaves of bread from our pantry or giving up on the spinach in our fridges, but food decomposing in landfills emits methane which is 28 times stronger than carbon dioxide. While composting is an important step to tackle these emissions, community fridges provide another life for perfectly edible food that cost valuable resources in its production and transportation before it lands in a composting facility or in a landfill. This past October, Food Rescue MAINE in collaboration with Sodexo, with support from a Maine Hunger Dialogue grant, and other partners opened up a community fridge on campus. This Black Bear Community Fridge serves the dual purposes of providing members of the UMaine community with free food and reducing the food waste of the UMaine dining halls. This pilot hopes to serve as a template for other communities across Maine to open their own fridges and it provides the unique opportunity to gather useful data from tracking and measuring the food we are redirecting from the landfills back to the people in our community.