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Upcoming Forum to Combat Invasive Species

On February 4, local member the Housatonic Valley Association will be co-sponsoring a forum with Bard College on Zebra Mussels, an invasive species that threatens the Housatonic Watershed in both Connecticut and Massachusetts. Attendees will learn the main issues that the mussels cause, and how they can be effectively combated without further damaging the watershed. The event will be held from 9:15am – 3:45pm at Simon’s Rock in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. The event is free, but advanced registration is required and space is limited, so please follow this link to sign up.

Event Highlights:

KEYNOTE SPEAKER #1: Ethan Nedeau, Owner & Principal Aquatic Biologist, Biodrawversity. “Issue Status Report: Zebra Mussels in the Housatonic River Watershed”

KEYNOTE SPEAKER #2: Doug Jensen, Aquatic Invasive Species Program Coordinator, Minnesota Sea Grant. “Lessons From Across the Nation."

PANEL DISCUSSION: “Management Tools & Strategies: What Works, What Doesn’t, and What Haven’t We Tried?”

  • Peter Aarrestad, Inland Fisheries Division Director, CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
  • Eleanor Mariani, Boating Division Director, CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
  • Jim McGrath, Pittsfield Harbor Master; Park, Open Space & Natural Resource Program Manager, Department of Community Development, City of Pittsfield
  • David Santos, Conservation Director, CT BASS Federation Nation
  • George Shippey, Chairman, Stockbridge Zebra Mussel Committee
  • Jim Straub, Lakes and Ponds Program Coordinator, MA Department of Conservation and Recreation

 

MODERATED BREAK-OUT SESSIONS: “What Should/Could we do?”

Scientific Monitoring for Mussels & Reporting:

  • Ethan Nedeau, Owner & Principal Aquatic Biologist, Biodrawversity
  • Dr. Mitch Wagener, Department of Biology and Environmental Science Chair, Western Connecticut State University  

Community-Based Boat Ramp Monitoring:

  • GwendolynnFlynn, Boating Division Environmental Analyst, CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
  • Jim McGrath, Pittsfield Harbor Master; Park, Open Space & Natural Resource Program Manager, Department of Community Development, City of Pittsfield

 

Education/Outreach:

  • Phyllis Schaer, Invasive Species Subcommittee Chair, Candlewood Lake Authority
  • Jim Straub, Lakes and Ponds Program Coordinator, MA Department of Conservation and Recreation

 

Prevention/Decontamination:

  • Mark Howarth, Director of Public Outreach and Development, Candlewood Lake Authority
  • George Shippey, Chairman, Stockbridge Zebra Mussel Committee

 

Exploring New Management Strategies:

  • Donald Roeder, Environmental Studies and Biology Professor, Simon’s Rock College
  • Meghan Ruta, CT Water Protection Program Manager, Housatonic Valley Association

 

LUNCH will be available for purchase from the Simon's Rock cafeteria. (Attendees may also bring a bag lunch if they prefer.)

Event co-sponsored by the Housatonic Valley Association and Bard College at Simon's Rock.

Additional funding provided by:
The Berkshire Environmental Endowment Fund (a fund of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation)
Crane & Co.
Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
Connecticut Sea Grant