April 22, 2022
Spring 2022 Molloy College Earth Day Symposium:
The Long Island Eco-Summit
An Open Fact-Based Forum on Long Island’s Environmental Issues. An important collection of observations by practicing scientists and authoritative conservationists on Long Island’s Ecological Resiliency from the tip of Brooklyn to the tip of Montauk.
Agenda
Zoom in/ Introduction: 9:30 a.m. Dr. John T. Tanacredi, Director CERCOM / Professor of EES
Welcome Dr. James Lentini, President of Molloy College
Opening Remarks Dr. John T. Tanacredi, Director CERCOM / Professor of EES – 15 min.
TOPICS
Session One - 10 a.m. - 12:30 P.M.
(A) Long Island’s Amazing Natural Resource Productivity and Biodiversity- Don Riepe- American Littoral Society- LI Chapter/ Jamaica Bay Guardian (10 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.)
(B) Long Island Continues to be a Habitat for Marine Mammals– Dr. Artie Kopelman – CRESLI (10:20 – 10:40 p.m.)
(C) Fisheries Supporting Endangered Whale Species – Paul Sieswerda – Gotham Whale (10:40 a.m. – 11 a.m.)
(D) Sand, Seawalls and Sea Level Rise– Kevin McAllister Founder & President, Defend H2O (11 a.m. -11:20 a.m.)
(E) Endangered Species; Birds: Steve Papa, Ecological Services Field Station USFWS (11:20 a.m. – 11:40 a.m.)
(F) Conservation of Horseshoe Crabs in New York- Dr. John T. Tanacredi, CERCOM Molloy College (11:40 a.m. – Noon)
(G) Long Island Hurricane Risks! – Nelson Vaz, NWS- Brookhaven National Lab, Upton, NY (Noon – 12:30 p.m.)
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Question and Answers/ Break for Lunch
Session Two - 1:30 p.m.- 4 P.M.
(A) National Estuary Programs on Long Island, Long Island Sound, Hudson River Estuary,
and NY Bight Apex and NY Harbor National Estuary Programs- (1 p.m. to 2 p.m.)
USEPA Region II: Robert Pirani, Program Director, Hudson River Foundation/ NY-NJ Harbor Estuary; Aimee Boucher- Life Scientist (Peconic Estuary); Cayla Sullivan -Life Scientist (Long Island Sound)
(B) Wastewater and Nitrogen- (2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.) Dr. Robert Nuzzi, Royal Reynolds, Roger Tollefsen
(C) Wetland Protection – (2:45 p.m. – 3 p.m.) NYSDEC – Long Island – Speaker TBA
(D) Long Island Eco-Health (Interaction of Economics and Ecology for Long Island)- (3p.m -3:20 p.m.)
Dr. Martin Cantor- CPA, Director, Long Island Center for Socio-Economic Policy
(E) Urban Eco- Health of Jamaica Bay- (3:20 p.m. to 3:40 p.m.) Dr. Mark Ringenary,
Former Research Scientist - National Park Service, (Ret.)
(F) History of Jamaica Bay and Wildlife Rights- (3:40 p.m. – 4 p.m.) Kevan Cleary, US Attorney, NY
4 p.m. - Question and Answers – Closing Remarks