UF Water Institute symposium will examine nutrients and Florida waterways

February 13, 2012

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida Water Institute will host a symposium Wednesday and Thursday to explore emerging issues related to water nutrient dynamics, management and policy from a variety of professional and institutional perspectives.

The “3rd Biennial Symposium: Sustainable Water Resources, Complex Challenges, Integrated Solutions” will be held in the Reitz Student Union on UF’s campus.

This symposium provides an unparalleled venue that will link nearly 400 leading researchers, educators and students with resource managers, policymakers, local governments, industry and the public interested in nutrient issues. Throughout the symposium participants will explore the science of nutrient dynamics, as well as challenges to, and creative solutions for, protecting and restoring Florida’s waterways.

The program includes more than 175 contributed oral, panel and poster presentations looking at complex issues from multiple perspectives. The symposium theme is especially timely, considering the challenges Florida is facing with regards to nutrient management and regulation.

An opening plenary session includes guest speakers Ellen Gilinsky, senior policy adviser in the Office of Water of the Environmental Protection Agency, professor Larry Band from the University of North Carolina, professor Andrew Sharpley from the University of Arkansas, and professor Dan Childers from Arizona State University. A reception and poster session with more than 70 posters, featuring a poster competition for students, will close the first day. An art exhibition, “Just Add Water,” is also being presented in conjunction with the 3rd UF Water Institute Symposium at the Reitz Student Union gallery.

The closing plenary will bring together staff from state agencies, environmental groups, industry and academia to discuss recent progress and new challenges to understanding and managing nutrient dynamics in watersheds, as well as future research, education, policies and programs that should be developed to ensure successful nutrient management for the coming decades.

For more information, go to http://waterinstitute.ufl.edu/symposium2012/index.asp.