Volume 6, No. 1

Promoting Cooperation to Maintain and Enhance
Environmental Quality in the Gulf of Maine

Effects of Climate Change on New England Wetlands will be the topic of presenters at the Association of Massachusetts Wetland Scientists 2002 annual meeting on Saturday, March 23 at the Holiday Inn in Boxboro. Massachusetts Secretary of Environmental Affairs Robert Durand will give the opening address. Seven prominent national experts will discuss how New England's wetlands will be affected in the coming decades. Issues will include: What do we know about climate change today? What is the historical record? How will wetlands, waterways and vernal pools in the New England region be changed? What affect will rising sea levels have on fragile coastal areas? For more information visit www.amws.org or contact Robin Reiner at (978) 667-4340.

The 10th Annual New Hampshire Pollution Prevention Conference is scheduled for April 1, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the New England Center, University of New Hampshire, Durham. The conference will bring together experts in pollution prevention, environmental management systems, environmental regulations and energy efficiency to help participants use proven pollution prevention strategies to improve their bottom line. For environmental, health and safety officers, plant and manufacturing managers, business and financial managers and related professionals. Call for a brochure (603) 862-4234 or e-mail: learn.dce@unh.edu.

The Gulf of Maine Council Regional Workshop on Sewage Management will be held at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography, main auditorium, in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, April 11 and 12. The objectives: to share and evaluate sewage management information among Gulf of Maine jurisdictions; to clarify the current status of sewage management in each jurisdiction; and challenge them to develop their own action plans. The workshop discussion will focus on six major topics: public education, funding mechanisms, innovative approaches, regulation and enforcement, economic impacts/costs and ecosystem health. For more information contact Sadie Bryan, e-mail: sadiebryan@hotmail.com; phone: (902) 521-0485; or refer to the Gulf of Maine Council Web site (www.gulfofmaine.org) for registration information.

The 5th Bay of Fundy Science Workshop is scheduled for May 13 to 16 at the Huggins Science Building, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia. The theme of the workshop is Health of the Bay of Fundy: Assessing Key Issues, with a focus on the health of the Bay's ecosystems, living resources (wildlife, fisheries) and coastal communities. It will emphasize progress achieved and activities underway on the many environmental resources facing the Bay. Among the topics: the biology and ecology of Corophium; Minas Basin¾community issues and actions; tourism and the Bay; and an evaluation of the Bay's health with an emphasis on salt marshes and barriers. The workshop is being sponsored by the Bay of Fundy Ecosystem Partnership (BoFEP). Contact: Nancy Roscoe-Huntley, (902) 585-1113, or at nancy.roscoe-huntley@acadiau.ca.

World Ecotourism Summit will meet in Québec, Québec, May 19 to 22 at the Québec Convention Centre, located near Old Québec. A central goal is to provide efficient coordination between public and private sectors, including the active involvement of local communities in the planning, developing, managing and regulating of ecotourism projects. For information contact the Ecotourisme 2002 secretariat at (418) 692-1699 or at www.bonjourquebec.com/ecotourisme/.

Offshore Oil and Gas Environmental Effects Monitoring Workshop: Approaches and Technologies, is scheduled for May 29 to 31 at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The purpose of the workshop is to facilitate information exchange and discussion among stakeholders on issues related to present and alternative offshore oil and gas environmental effects monitoring programs. Information on the workshop can be obtained by contacting the workshop secretariat or the co-chairs. Secretariat: lesley@griffithsmuecke.com; co-chairs: P. Cranford, cranfordp@mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca and K. Lee, leek@mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Coastal Zone Canada 2002 will be held at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters, June 23 to 28, in Hamilton, Ontario. The theme of this 5th international biennial conference is Managing Shared Waters. The Conference is sponsored by the Coastal Zone Canada Association, Pollution Probe and the United Nations University: International Network on Water, Environment and Health. Coastal issues to be discussed will be shared by those working and living in any marine or freshwater coastal zone. The conference will also address the special challenges of working towards sustainable coastal ecosystems in situations where transboundary cooperation is required for success. For information go to: www.pollutionprobe.org/managing.shared.waters/index.htm.