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2009 Mid-Atlantic Stream Restoration Conference
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Dates: March 7-9, 2010
Location: Canaan Valley Institute Research and Education Center, Davis, WV
Agenda
Conference Presentations
The WVAFS held its spring technical meeting with the Highlands Summit. WVAFS's chapter met on Monday, March 8 from 5-6 p.m.
Conference Background: The Environmental Research Center (ERC) has been established as a center of excellence at West Virginia University (WVU) that conducts basic and applied research aimed at understanding and developing a sustainable and productive natural environment. The ultimate goal is to improve the quality of life for citizens of West Virginia and beyond. The ERC will serve as an unbiased intermediary among groups and as a regional and national leader in integrated environmental research and outreach, including policy and social implications. The Center will serve as an impartial liaison between various grass-roots environmental groups, resource management agencies, businesses, and industries to effectively create and promote new policies that will lead to a healthy environment and a strong economy.
Conference Purpose: The Mid-Atlantic Highlands region is responsible for providing considerable ecosystem services to large downstream populations. However, the Highlands also have a suite of unique stressors which affect the ability to provide these services. This kick-off conference will bring together researchers, resource professionals, agency personnel, non-governmental organizations, political leaders, and businesses who will work towards development of a baseline understanding of the environmental systems of the Mid-Atlantic Highlands, and identify areas where strong research directions are needed. We will discuss the development of integrated research and education programs that will lead to increased opportunities to foster sustainable economic growth in Appalachia while continuing to provide ecosystem services to downstream populations.
Key Topics: A series of panel discussions on critical topics will highlight the conference. These topics could include:
- Economic development models for rural communities with important natural resources
- Evaluating, understanding, and predicting impacts from climate change
- Effective and efficient agricultural nutrient management strategies for highlands farmers
- Environmental impacts and restoration opportunities related to natural resource extraction, including gas development and mountaintop removal mining
- Designing programs to better meet the educational needs of professionals working in environmental disciplines and green technologies
- Opportunities for integrating and standardizing policy discussions and frameworks across agencies and jurisdictions
- Evaluating and understanding social and environmental impacts of residential development in rural communities
An evening/weekend session will be planned to gather research questions and concerns from non-academic, non-government stakeholders like business groups, watershed associations, local, regional, and national nonprofit organizations. Keynote sessions will provide an update on current research initiatives, highlight progress on environmental restoration, community development, and hands-on education programs.
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