Conference to focus on state of Penobscot watershed region

Residents of the Penobscot watershed are invited to meet with scientists, researchers, business leaders, nonprofit organizations, fishermen and government representatives to discuss the state of the region past, present and future at the Penobscot Watershed Conference, scheduled for April 8–9 at Point Lookout in Northport.

“We wanted to bring together concerned community members for a conversation about sustainable economic development in the region —  development that protects or even enhances ecosystem functions while simultaneously providing high quality of life for all people in the Penobscot watershed,” said Stephen Miller, executive director of Islesboro Islands Trust and chair of the conference planning committee, which includes representatives from 16 Maine organizations, including Maine Sea Grant and University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

The conference will open with a ceremony by Butch Phillips of the Penobscot Nation and remarks by Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis, Curt Spaulding of the Environmental Protection Agency Region 1 Office, and U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree.

UMaine professor and marine biologist Robert Steneck will give a keynote presentation about Penobscot Bay. The presentation will be followed by six concurrent workshops on the themes of maritime heritage and industry, watershed economy, indicators of environmental health, collaborations, recreation and tourism, and environmental policy issues. The workshops will feature presentations and panel discussions by more than 70 experts from the watershed and beyond.

On Friday, April 8, the Island Institute and other members of the conference planning committee will show the film, “The Great Bear Sea: Reflecting on the Past — Planning for the Future,” as part of the Ocean Frontiers film series.

More information, including a draft conference program and registration, is on Maine Sea Grant’s website.