Virtual Harmful Algal Bloom Symposium Returns January 4th
Returning for its fourth year, the Algal Bloom Action team will be hosting its Harmful Algal Bloom Research Symposium next week! The symposium, which will take place virtually on January 4th, will highlight the latest research on harmful algal blooms (HABs) from researchers across the North Central Region.
This year’s event will feature two sessions: 1) HAB Prediction, Monitoring, and Treatment and 2) HAB Outreach and Communication. In addition, the event will include a special feedback session with representatives from the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program studying the effects of freshwater acidification on HABs. The team at NOAA are currently conducting a nationwide stakeholder needs assessment for acidification concerns, priorities, interests, and intersections related to harmful algal blooms. The feedback session will offer attendees the opportunity to lend their perspectives and provide feedback to NOAA on the impact of freshwater acidification on HABs.
The symposium sessions will provide the opportunity to hear about a variety of research on tracking and preventing harmful algal blooms, including using remote sensing to track HABs over time and using photocatalytic composites to remove toxins produced by cyanobacteria. The sessions also include information on communication, outreach, and management efforts concerning public health risks and perceptions of HABs in the region. You can view the full agenda here.
The event is hosted by the Algal Bloom Action Team – a collaboration of water professionals, researchers, and educators from the national network of Water Resources Research Institutes, the North Central Region Water Network, and Cooperative Extensions from the 12 states in the North Central Region of the United States. The group was formed in 2018 to better share harmful algal bloom resources across states and create and compile applied harmful algal bloom outreach materials that can be used by water professionals when working with landowners, companies, and communities. The team has developed a series of factsheets and FAQs that educators can use in their outreach with communities, landowners, and producers, and hosts a bimonthly webinar series on a range of HAB research and educational topics.
The free symposium will be held from 9:00 AM CT – 1:45 PM CT on Thursday, January 4th. Register to join us here!