The Environmental Colloquium Speaker Series presents up-to-date news covering our region's natural processes and concerns; covering everything from flora to fauna and geologic to meteorologic. Join us in person at the Gainsville Campus' Arts & Technology Building (Room 1800) during our scheduled noon-time sessions to learn about the newest research findings, community projects, climate resolution plans, environmental employment opportunities and more.
Location
Gainsville Campus:
Arts & Technology Building,
Room 1800
Time
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Can't join us in person?
Join our live Zoom broadcast during the scheduled times at:
As an addendum to the film seen the previous Monday, please come and meet Bill Sapp, Senior Attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center. Bill is featured in the film Sacred Waters, and when he visits us, he will give us an update about the efforts to save the Okefenokee. Bill will also give us a review of the scope of work at the Southern Environmental Law Center and the importance of citizen scientists, activists and educators being active to save our natural resources for the next generation.
Join us in watching the documentary called Sacred Waters. The film is about how our Georgia Okefenokee is in peril. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia, but it is a fragile ecosystem under constant threat. The film is co-produced by the Southern Environmental Law Center. Part of the film outlines how Ga activists, with key help from the Southern Environmental Law Center, have been in an epic battle with a mining company that is threatening to destroy the Okefenokee. It's a story of nature, culture, development, activism and preservation. southernenvironment.org
Come and meet J.D. McCrary, the Executive Director of the Georgia Forest Watch. JD has twenty-five years of experience domestically and internationally. He has degrees from Tulane, GA State and Harvard's Business School, focusing on Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management. He has served in the U.S. Peace Corps and served refugees and victims of human trafficking and worked to safely settle immigrants. His talents are now applied to enhancing the health of the 867,000 acres of federal forests in Georgia. He and his team monitor the many streams and forests that supply water to millions of Georgians and works closely with the U.S. Forest Service to ensure the protection of our watersheds, native plants and wildfire.
Come and thank Kristen Howard for the clean drinking water in our town. Kristen is a Water Conservation Specialist in the City of Gainesville's Department of Water Resources. The department is responsible for drinking water plants, wastewater plants, fire hydrants, environmental monitoring, storm water, and it maintains hundreds of miles of pipes with a large team of dedicated professionals. Kristen promotes public awareness of safe drinking water and educates the community on Gainesville's role in providing such.
Come and meet Russell Lundstrum from the US Army Corps of Engineers. Russ is a Ranger at the Lake Lanier project who specializes in the use of GIS, geography, high-speed sonar, underwater maps, depth finders and guiding underwater emergency diving. He is currently working on a new LiDAR project to focus on some severe erosion issues as various parks on the lake. Russ has also been a consultant on national projects far afield, such as the Lake Isabella dam reconstruction project in California. He will give an overview of his position, how he uses GIS in this position, and how he is using LiDAR to solve problems currently.
The key missions of the Buford Dam Project are: Environmental Stewardship, Flood Risk Management, and Recreation. Timothy will share how his role adapts to fulfill these objectives throughout the year; coordinating with local jurisdictions, providing counsel to state agencies, and garnering attention from federal agencies all to advance public safety around the Lake and surrounding Chattahoochee river.
Come listen to the firsthand accounts covering the life of a USACE Ranger. Troy will speak of the intruiging experiences defending the balance between our outdoor recreational sites along with their surrounding natural resources; navigating the interconnected interests of private stakeholders, federal-, state-, and local agencies while giving dedicated regard to the concerns of the fish and wildlife sector.
Kathy will introduce you to the specialized divisions of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources; illuminating current state interests while revealing helpful volunteer and research opportunities that can add a gold star to your CV. With her 20 years of teaching experience, Master's in Secondary Education from Piedmont College, and Bachelor's in Wildlife Management from the Warnell School of Forest Resources (UGA), anticipate to be inspired.