On Friday March 27th Carly (LEEP volunteer) went to an all day workshop on behalf of LEEP. The following is her write up. Thanks so much Carly!!

I wanted to thank the Carolinas Chapter of SETAC for inviting LEEP to join them at their annual meeting. It was a fantastic learning opportunity showcasing intriguing scientific work currently undertaken by the members. Each presentation detailed important aspects of the affects we, as coastal residents, have on the environment, and how it, in turn, may also impact our health and quality of life. Many of the implications of the studies were clear: how traces of Prozac in the water may decrease the appetite of striped bass; that the threat of bioaccumulation of PBDE’s (plastic particles) must be assessed; the long-term, devastating effects of the coal fly ash spill on the Kingston, Tennessee ecosystem are still unknown. Though I have to say, those presentations on nanoparticles and nanotubes went straight over my head!

 

Keynote speaker Dr. Paul Sandifer, a senior scientist at NOAA’s National Ocean Service, enumerated the many difficult challenges facing the southeast coastal region in his presentation. Dr. Sandifer set a context for the way we, as a community, might overcome these challenges. 

 

First, think regionally! Understand that your actions do not only impact the environment directly around you, but stretch much farther than you can imagine. Second, we must realize that most policy decisions are made at the local level. It is important to get involved in your community if there are issues that you want addressed. Similarly, it is important to support organizations, such as LEEP, that have the ability to reach many members of the community (especially the young and impressionable ones) and create greater awareness.  

  

Jennifer Keller of NIST acted on this last idea by inviting LEEP and Lowcountry Earth Force to participate as a means of outreach. Informed citizens make informed decisions; personally, I am grateful that there are such intelligent scientists in our region carefully working to inform our community.”