{"id":11011,"date":"2019-06-07T17:55:04","date_gmt":"2019-06-07T21:55:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastwatch\/?page_id=11011"},"modified":"2024-08-20T13:12:28","modified_gmt":"2024-08-20T17:12:28","slug":"public-events-enhance-research-and-dialogue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastwatch\/public-events-enhance-research-and-dialogue\/","title":{"rendered":"Coastal Connections: Public Events Enhance Research and Dialogue"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

COMPILED BY KATELYN VAUSE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Save the Date: North Carolina Coastal Conference Set For November<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

North Carolina Sea Grant<\/a> again will host the North Carolina Coastal Conference<\/a> Nov. 19 and 20, 2019, at the Hotel Ballast in downtown Wilmington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Susan White, executive director of North Carolina Sea Grant, anticipates the event will draw a sizeable crowd from a diverse array of groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBy funding research and supporting outreach, our program provides information and resources to assist state efforts to respond to, recover from and anticipate urgent and long-term coastal challenges,\u201d White says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drawing upon the success of similar conferences in 2015 and 2017, sessions will include a variety of important topics, such as weather, storms and climate; community and ecosystem health; fisheries and aquaculture; and planning and economics. Experts will lead interdisciplinary sessions designed to bring together a wide range of perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based on response from past conferences, this year the event has moved from Raleigh in the spring to the coast in the late autumn. North Carolina Sea Grant also recently issued a call for presentation proposals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Information is available to submit abstracts or to check on registration and other details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ncseagrant.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WRRI Conference Draws Record Crowd<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The WRRI Conference drew nearly 400 attendees. Photo courtesy of WRRI.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nearly 400 attendees gathered recently to explore research and engage in timely discussions about one of the world\u2019s most valuable resources at the 21st North Carolina Water Resources Research Institute Annual Conference<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sessions ranged from water utility management and contamination concerns to algae and nutrients in water bodies. Poster presentations included such topics as the impact of vegetation removal on dry detention basins and cyanotoxins in North Carolina\u2019s lakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A variety of organizations had a presence at the conference, including universities, local government bodies, federal and state government agencies, private businesses and nonprofits. Nearly 20 organizations and agencies \u2014 including North Carolina Sea Grant \u2014 also hosted exhibits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state\u2019s WRRI and Sea Grant programs work together closely, sharing key management personnel, fellowships opportunities for students and other funding. The 22nd Annual Conference in 2020 will take place March 18 and 19, again at NC State University in Raleigh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

wrri.ncsu.edu<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aquaculture Conference Features Shellfish Topics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

North Carolina Sea Grant specialists and a variety of other experts led sessions on freshwater aquaculture and mariculture for people with an interest in finfish or shellfish farming at this year\u2019s North Carolina Aquaculture Development Conference<\/a> at Carteret Community College<\/a> in Morehead City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chuck Weirich, marine aquaculture specialist for North Carolina Sea Grant, opened the conference\u2019s mariculture morning sessions for prospective and new shellfish growers. Weirich, along with Carteret Community College\u2019s Dave Cerino, led a session on farming methods and business planning for newcomers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A partner on several Sea Grant initiatives, Cerino also led a session on learning opportunities. The mariculture sessions concluded with a market trends panel, featuring Barry Nash, Sea Grant\u2019s seafood technology and marketing specialist, and Tres Hundertmark, a champion oyster shucker with N.C. Oyster 365.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Freshwater aquaculture sessions included an update from Ben Reading of NC State University<\/a>, whose research has included striped bass aquaculture projects funded by Sea Grant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ncaquaculture.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oyster Summit Highlights Strategic Mariculture Plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oyster growers, fishermen, government officials, lawmakers, academics and conservation interests gathered to learn more about the state\u2019s oysters and other shellfish at the 2019 North Carolina Oyster Summit.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The meeting revealed North Carolina\u2019s progress in advancing shellfish efforts. The state has addressed habitat creation and water quality protection, developed a strategic shellfish mariculture plan and conducted the policy, research and planning that help to make such progress possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A series of panel presentations also explored the recommendations in the recently completed state Strategic Mariculture Plan<\/em>. The summit also covered the value of clean water to ensure the continued success of all restoration, rehabilitation and mariculture efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The North Carolina Coastal Federation<\/a> and partners \u2014 including North Carolina Sea Grant<\/a>, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration<\/a>, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality<\/a>, and the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries<\/a> \u2014 organized the forum. Michael Regan, NC DEQ secretary, provided opening remarks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ncoysters.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NC Space Grant Launches Space Symposium<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The inaugural SPACE Symposium featured a keynote address from Gerald D. Griffin, former director of the NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. Photo courtesy of North Carolina Space Grant.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

North Carolina Space Grant<\/a> recently hosted its inaugural SPACE Symposium<\/a> in Raleigh. Turnout more than doubled initial expectations, as nearly 200 attendees packed the conference area of the new Stateview Hotel in Raleigh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gerald D. Griffin, the former director of the NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center<\/a> in Houston, delivered the keynote. Griffin has held many positions in both industry and government programs during his career, including serving as a flight director during NASA\u2019s Apollo Program. Christopher Chung, the CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina<\/a>, delivered the plenary talk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The symposium offered sessions on science, technology, future flight and careers. Each included experts from industry, government and academia, as well as a student Space Grant scholar. Undergraduate and graduate students also presented research at poster sessions throughout the day, including presentations from North Carolina Sea Grant\u2013North Carolina Space Grant Fellows Melinda Martinez and Emily Ury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ncspacegrant.ncsu.edu<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n