Workshop. Field Day. Networking.
Save the date! The Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science (NIACS) is partnering with foresters from New England water supply organizations to host a two-day workshop to consider the impacts of climate change on forested watersheds. This event will provide opportunities to learn about and to discuss how to adapt forested watersheds in New England and New York to climate change. This workshop is geared to natural resource professionals and compliance, who work within, and manage water supply forests.
- Attendance is capped at 75*
- No fee for attendance
- Lunch and light refreshments provided
We are finalizing presenters, please stay tuned for more information.
Day 1, November 7 (9:30a-4pm): Presentations from regional experts on the impacts of climate change to forested watersheds. Presentations will cover technical information regarding the interaction of changing water budgets on trees and forest soils, Best Management Practices in a changing climate, Silviculture in an era of change, and Real-world Climate Adaptation stories from foresters in New England who are actively responding to climate change impacts in their management. Lunch and light snacks will be provided.
*Day 2, November 8 (9-2pm): Half day field tour and interactive group activity at 1-2 forests in the area. Lunch will be provided.
Detailed agenda, Day 1, November 7: PREPARING FOR CLIMATE CHANGE IN FORESTED WATERSHEDS:
9:00 Registration & Coffee
9:45 Seeing the Forests for the Streams. Scott Bailey, US Forest Service.
10:15 Forest management is key to sustaining drinking water supplies, and how management must include climate change to sustain future supplies. Paul Barten, University of MA-Amherst.
11:00 Forest water supply perspective on producing clean water in an era of change. John O'Neil, Manchester Water Works.
11:30 Climate Change effects to forests and forest soils. Pam Templer, Boston University.
12:00 Lunch (provided)
1:00 Using Best Management Practices to protect water supplies and to prepare for climate impacts. Karl Honkonen, US Forest Service.
1:45 Silviculture through the lens of forest adaptation. Tony D’Amato, Univ. of Vermont.
2:30 Adapting forests and forest management practices to climate change in New England. Maria Janowiak, NIACS US Forest Services; Danielle Shannon, NIACS Michigan Technological University.
2:50 Real-world case studies of climate adaptation in forested watersheds. Featuring Christopher Riley, Sweet Birch Consulting; Brian Keevan, MA DCR; and others.
NOVEMBER 8: CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS IN THE FIELD: GUIDED TOURS
8:30 Registration & Coffee
9:00 Welcome & Introduction
9:30 Carpool and travel to field location
10:00 Field Tour 1: Wachusett Reservoir and field activity. Hosted by MA DCR Forestry
12:00 Lunch (provided)
1:00 Field Tour 2: TBA location and field activity.