College to host 2nd Annual Coastal Ecology Symposium
The College of Coastal Georgia will host its 2nd Annual Coastal Ecology Symposium in the Southeast Georgia Conference Center on the Brunswick campus this Friday, November 18th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Tracy Pellett, is excited that CCGA students, faculty, staff and community members will have an opportunity to learn more about advances and challenges of ecological research and natural resource management in the Golden Isles.
“An academic symposium on coastal ecology makes us more conscious of the fragility of our coastal waterways and islands,” stated Dr. Pellett. “Improving our knowledge and awareness of where we live makes it more likely we will understand how we are caring for it and increase our focus on improving it.”
The symposium will open with presentations by a number of invited speakers, including Dr. Kimberly Andrews, Research Coordinator with the Georgia Sea Turtle Center; Scott Coleman, Ecological Manager on Little St. Simons Island; Dr. Catherine Edwards, Assistant Professor at the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography; and Althea Moore of Northeastern University and CCGA.
Dr. Moore will present research on species interactions between plants and fungi in salt mashes. Coleman will highlight efforts to manage and conserve rare barrier island species and habitats. Dr. Edwards will share how she and her students are using autonomous underwater vehicles to better understand fisheries research. And Dr. Andrews will call attention to how the Turtle Center’s research on sea turtles and other species is guiding coastal conservation and management. CCGA students will also present their research as well.
“It’s a great forum for our students to share their work in coastal ecology and to learn about other research discoveries and management applications,” explains Dr. Tate Holbrook, Assistant Professor of Biology at CCGA.
“We’re excited to build on the success of last year’s inaugural symposium and collaborate with the broader community to address problems that affect our coastal ecosystems, natural resources, and human well-being.”
“This symposium is especially advantageous for students who are looking to obtain their Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Coastal Ecology” stated Dr. Victor Vega, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.
“This is one of our flagship degree programs that attracts students from outside the region and emphasizes hands-on learning through field labs, internships and research,” stated Vega.
In addition to spotlighting students’ and faculty members’ work with service-learning partnerships, an information fair featuring exhibitors from public agencies, conservation NGOs and academia will be available for interested attendees to inquire into their work on outreach projects and resource management.
“This is a way for agencies and organizations to reach different sectors of the community and publicize to a small niche interested in some of these topics on ecological research and management of natural resources on the Georgia coast,” Holbrook added.
After the symposium, attendees are encouraged to head to The Nature Conservancy’s new office at the Altama Wildlife Management Area for an open house from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. Reservations are needed to attend and can be made by emailing Stephanie.Teta@tnc.org.
The event is free and open to the public. More information can be found at www.ccga.edu/ces
Contact: Brittany Tate
(912) 279-5938