Speaker: Andrea Feldpausch-Parker, Dept. of Environmental Studies, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry

In this talk, Dr. Feldpausch-Parker will discuss her recent research in small scale dam removal public workshops in New York State’s Hudson and Mohawk Watersheds. The goal of these workshops are to help communities think through local dam removals using systems thinking and mediated modeling, while also thinking toward climate change resilience. In addition to fisheries recovery, many of these workshops highlighted the importance of historical sights, recreational opportunities, flood control and emerging technologies such as micro hydropower. Such highlights touch upon opportunities and challenges of managing the state’s hydrologic systems.

Dr. Andrea Feldpausch-Parker is an Associate Professor of Environmental Communication in the Department of Environmental Studies at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF). Her research is interdisciplinary in nature, focusing on science and environmental communication with interests in conservation of natural resources through communication and cooperative learning among stakeholders including but not limited to scientists, managers, policy-makers, industry and concerned publics.  Her current focus is on energy democracy and natural resources conflict management, with additional interests in climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, natural resources management, energy policy, public participation in environmental decision-making and social movements.  Her publications have appeared in journals such as Conservation Biology, Local Environment, Environmental Communication, Energies,Conservation and Society, Urban Ecosystems and Frontiers of Communication.