Jan. 11 Begins Estuary Summit at Cape May
The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary will host its third Delaware Estuary Science and Environmental Summit on Jan. 11-14 at the Grand Hotel in Cape May, N.J. This conference follows close on the heels of the PDE’s “State of the Estuary Report,” which serves as a health assessment of the tidal Delaware River watershed and many of its signature species.
The purpose of this biennial summit is to provide a venue for exchange at which 200 or more scientists, resource managers, and environmentalists can share their work in the context of the event’s theme: “Planning for Tomorrow’s Delaware Estuary.” In this way, the PDE hopes to continue building on the themes of its two previous conferences, which were “Linking Science and Management” and “Setting Achievable Environmental Goals.” Jerry R. Schubel, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of the Aquarium of the Pacific, will give the keynote speech on Jan. 12.
“This is the only environmental conference that brings people together from different fields of expertise to focus on the latest science, issues, and opportunities at the scale of the watershed,” said Danielle Kreeger, Ph.D., science director at the PDE. “By doing this in a retreat-like atmosphere, we are fostering fertile discussions that will advance ecosystem science, management, and restoration.”
Highlights of the summit will include over 130 presentations, roundtable discussions, and regular and special-topic sessions; a Jan. 13 press conference featuring former U.S. Attorney, Christopher J. Christie, who will help announce the 2008 awardees of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Delaware Estuary Watershed Grants Program; and several lectures on progressive topics such as ecotourism, environmental marketing, and outreach programs.
“This summit is for more than just scientists,” said Jennifer Adkins, executive director of the PDE. “We’ve tailored it over the years so it also appeals to environmental professionals and conservationists, particularly those concerned with the tidal Delaware River and Bay.”
To register, download and submit the registration form available at www.DelawareEstuary.org. The cost is currently $225 per person or $115 per day, and students pay $90. Overnight accommodations can be reserved by calling the event’s venue, the Grand Hotel, at (800) 257-8550.
For additional information, contact Elizabeth Horsey at (800) 445-4935, ext. 114, or EHorsey@DelawareEstuary.org.