NEWPORT — The Memphremagog Watershed Association is hosting a Cyanobacteria Symposium on Wednesday, July 24, at the Gateway Center in Newport, Vermont, to address growing concerns about blue-green algae blooms in the state’s lakes and ponds.
The event aims to educate the public about cyanobacteria, its causes, and potential environmental and health impacts. Experts from various institutions will discuss topics including the historical and current issues causing cyanobacteria blooms, drivers of nutrient loading, impacts of climate change and extreme weather events, health effects, and methods for stormwater management and mitigation of nutrient loading.
Speakers include Dr. Peter Isles and Ben Copans from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Dr. Andrew Schroth and Dr. Mindy Morales-Williams from UVM Rubenstein School of Environmental and Natural Resources, Dr. Kathy Cottingham from Dartmouth College, and Bridget O’Brien from the Vermont Department of Health.
Farley Brown, a Memphremagog Watershed Association board member and Sterling College professor, will moderate the discussion.
The symposium begins at 6:30 p.m., with doors opening at 5:00 p.m. for complimentary refreshments. Virtual attendance is also available. The organizers emphasize that being informed about cyanobacteria blooms is critical as Vermonters venture into lakes and ponds this summer.
For more information, interested parties can contact Mary Pat Goulding at the Memphremagog Watershed Association at [email protected] or 802-334-2444.
