Conference to Highlight the Changing Future of Maine’s Beaches; South Portland Event to Feature Climate Scientist Cameron Wake
Contact: Kristen Whiting-Grant, 207-646-1555 x115
ORONO–From global climate change to increasing population pressure, Maine’s beaches will confront many changes in the coming decades. Public officials, coastal property owners, tourists and businesses each have a different interest in the beach, but a common desire for sustaining these valuable natural resources. Ways to achieve this common goal, and the changes facing Maine’s beaches, will be discussed at the 2007 Maine Beaches Conference on June 22 in South Portland.
Cameron Wake, a research associate professor with the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space at the University of New Hampshire, will present an overview of climate change in the Northeast. Wake authored two research papers and a series of reports detailing past and future climate change in the Northeast as part of the Northeast Climate Impact Assessment. He is currently researching regional air quality issues.
Margaret Davidson, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coastal Services Center, will discuss the concept of resiliency as applied to southern Maine beaches and lessons learned from other regions where the Coastal Services Center is working with communities to help them cope with climate change and adapt to risks from coastal hazards.
Other presentations throughout the morning will cover trends in beach erosion, coastal water quality, and coastal laws and regulations. Participants will also have the chance to discuss issues of concern and work out possible solutions to resolving these concerns and conflicts.
Afternoon field trips will visit the Portland Harbor Museum, explore rocky intertidal ecology, view a dune restoration project at Willard Beach, demonstrate how to measure beach erosion and take a tour of stormwater management methods. Indoor activities include showings of the films “An Inconvenient Truth” and “Coastal Clash.” The conference concludes at 4 p.m. with an open reception at the Portland Harbor Museum.
The Maine Beaches Conference is sponsored by Southern Maine Community College, Maine Coastal Program, Maine Sea Grant at the University of Maine, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, SOS Maine, Maine Geological Survey, Surfrider Northern New England Chapter, and Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve.
For more information call Kristen Whiting-Grant at 207-646-1555 x115.