State of The Bay Symposium 2016

The Biennial State of the Bay symposia series was initiated through a mandate of the Jamaica Bay Watershed Protection Plan to bring together scientists, decision makers, and community groups to discuss relevant science knowledge and management strategies that enhance the resilience of Jamaica Bay. The 2016 symposium features a two-day program focused on the management and decision-making context within the Bay, community perspectives and needs, and current relevant science spanning the Bay’s socio-ecological systems. Diverse formats including plenary sessions highlighting key issues and cross-cutting themes, presentations and panel discussions, breakout working groups, and an in-the-field component, offer participants a range of engagement options. In addition, we'll be hosting a graduate student and postdoctoral research poster session to highlight current work in the natural sciences. The symposium will conclude with an evening reception at Brooklyn College.

Day 1

Wednesday, June 15, 2016
8:45 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.

Day 1 will focus on management challenges, strategies, and priorities as well as stakeholder and community needs and perspectives. The morning will feature an opening plenary panel followed by two presentation sessions. The day will conclude with an afternoon boat tour of Jamaica Bay highlighting recent restoration projects, sites of ongoing research, and historically relevant locations.

Location: Aviator Sports and Events Center, 3159 Flatbush Ave. Brooklyn, NY followed by an afternoon boat tour of Jamaica Bay departing from Riis Landing.

Day 2

Thursday, June 16, 2016
9:00 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.

Wine and cheese reception to follow from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Day 2 will focus on the state of the current relevant science of the Bay. What is the science saying and how does that fit with local knowledge? A range of science topics including water quality, marsh restoration, storm surge modeling and hydrodynamics, the role of nature-based features, critical species and habitats, ecosystem services, and risk and community needs for resilience will be addressed in both morning and afternoon sessions. The day will conclude with a wine and cheese reception and presentation of graduate student and postdoctoral research posters.

Location: Brooklyn College Student Center, East 27 Street and Campus Road, Brooklyn, NY

For more information, please visit www.srijb.org/sotb2016