\n\tLake Champlain Sea Grant is pleased to host four research webinars on topics critical to the environment and economies of the Lake Champlain basin and important in watersheds around the world.<\/p>\n
\n\tFarmers\u2019 Attitudes Towards Government Agencies and Conservation Programs in Vermont\u2019s Lake Champlain Basin<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tFor our first\u00a0research webinar on September 27<\/strong>, Kate Longfield of the University of Vermont will discuss her investigations into Vermont farmers\u2019 attitudes towards conservation practices, government conservation programs, and the\u00a0federal and state\u00a0government agencies that oversee them. She will also describe research exploring Vermont farmers\u2019 trust in these\u00a0federal and state\u00a0agencies, including the United States federal government and the Vermont state government.\u00a0She will delve into research methods, findings, and next steps. Kate\u00a0is completing her master\u2019s in Natural Resources from the University of Vermont, graduating in October 2023, and is being advised by Lake Champlain Sea Grant Associate Director and Extension Leader Kris Stepenuck.\u00a0Register here.<\/a><\/p>\n \n\tUnderstanding Spiny Softshell (Apalone spinifera) Nesting Habitat Selection in Vermont<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tOn October 25<\/strong>, Destini Acosta, a graduate student being advised by Assistant Professor Brittany Mosher at the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont, will share her research centered around the spiny softshell turtle. Due to shoreline habitat loss around Lake Champlain, the spiny softshell now nests in only 4 locations in Vermont, and the total population is estimated to be fewer than 300 individuals. Their research focuses on turtle nest site selection with the hopes of identifying factors that make for ideal nesting sites. This talk will review research, findings, and impacts for decision-makers, non-profit conservation groups, and private landowners. Register here.<\/a><\/p>\n \n\tMapping Road Salt Storage Facilities in Vermont\u2019s Lake Champlain Basin: An Analysis of Potential Drinking Water Impacts in Vulnerable Communities<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tOn November 29<\/strong>, Stephanie Hurley, Associate Professor at the University of Vermont, and Dana Allen, Principal at FluidState Consulting, will discuss the potential year-round impacts of road salt storage in the Lake Champlain basin. While deicing materials applied to roads represent a distributed, ephemeral source of salts, deicing material storage facilities are a potential year-round source of materials that can negatively impact drinking water wells. This talk will describe a 2022 study funded by the Vermont Water Resources and Lake Studies Center. Funding supported the development of a geospatial database of deicing storage facilities in the Vermont portion of the Lake Champlain basin and an evaluation of the potential for drinking water impacts in vulnerable communities. Register here.<\/a><\/p>\n \n\tSeasonal Dynamics of Lake Champlain Microbial Ecology: Exploring Seasonal Variation and Linkages to Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tOn December 13<\/strong>, Erin Eggleston from Middlebury College will talk about what was considered, until recently, a summer issue in Lake Champlain\u2014cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (CHABs). But what\u2019s happening with cyanobacteria the rest of the year? This talk will focus on Eggleston\u2019s team\u2019s work investigating the microbial ecology of CHAB communities across seasons to observe and characterize the relationships among cyanobacteria, viruses, and microbes. Preliminary data show interesting microbial and viral populations trends by season, as well as functional influence of viruses on carbon metabolism in summer CHABs. Register here.<\/a><\/p>\n \n\tEach webinar will begin at noon. A 30-minute presentation will be followed by a 30-minute question-and-answer period.\u00a0 We hope you will join us.<\/p>\n