Spring 2021 Sustainability Talks

SnowdropsFor many years, the Mitchell Center has hosted an innovative Sustainability Talks series during the fall and spring semesters. The goal of these talks is to provide students, faculty, citizens, and others with opportunities to learn about: 1) the multi-faceted nature of sustainability problems; 2) the value of connecting different forms of knowledge and know-how in efforts to understand and solve such problems; and 3) the ways in which partnerships between universities and diverse stakeholders can facilitate efforts to identify and implement useful solutions.

All talks are Mondays at 3pm and are available via Zoom. Registration is required for each talk. Please go to individual event pages to register. Many talks are recorded and can be found on our Vimeo site.

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February 1
Leading Together: Strengthening Policy Outcomes through Collaboration
Amanda Beal, Commissioner, Maine Dept. of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
This talk is available on YouTube

February 8
The Town That Refused to Die
Sue Lessard, Town Manager, Bucksport, Maine
This talk is available on YouTube

February 22
Making Our Food System More Circular: Less Waste, but Is It Safe? 
Jean MacRae and Cindy Isenhour, UMaine
This talk is available on YouTube

March 1
Citizen Science: A Means to Promote Equity and Inclusion in STEM
Amara Ifeji, Freshman, Northeastern University; Grassroots Development Coordinator, Maine Environmental Education Association
This talk is available on YouTube

March 8
Rapid Arctic Change: Why Does It Matter and How Can the Science Community Help?
Fran Ulmer, Arctic Initiative Senior Fellow, Belfer Center, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University; Former Chair, U.S. Arctic Research Commission
This talk is available on YouTube

March 15
Is Community Solar Good for Communities?
Sharon Klein, Associate Professor, School of Economics, UMaine; Faculty Fellow, Mitchell Center
This talk is available on YouTube

March 22
Paris to Portland: Localizing Global Climate Action
David Reidmiller, Climate Center, Gulf of Maine Research Institute
This talk is available on YouTube

March 29
The Land Back Movement and the Future of Land Relations in the Dawnland
Panel discussion: John Banks, Lucas St. Claire, Peter Forbes, Darren Ranco
This talk is available on YouTube

April 5
Restoring Penobscot Language use: How an English professor is helping access vital knowledge for a sustainable future
Margo Lukens, Professor of English, University of Maine
This talk is available on YouTube

April 12
Strengthening learning, leadership and equity in Maine and Wabanaki wild shellfisheries: Insights from the Maine Shellfish Learning Network
Bridie McGreavy, Gabby Hillyer and Tony Sutton, UMaine
This talk is available on YouTube

April 19
A Fishy Tail About Our Food System 
Joshua Stoll, Assistant Professor, School of Marine Sciences; Faculty Fellow, Mitchell Center
This talk is available on YouTube