Appalachian Laboratory

Watershed Moments

Watershed Moments Community Learning Series

Learning lasts a lifetime.

As part of its commitment to public education, the Appalachian Laboratory of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Sciences (UMCES-AL) offers free community presentations and events through its Watershed Moments Community Learning Series. 

Spring/Summer 2023:

Through their ongoing research, Appalachian Laboratory faculty, students and research staff make significant contributions to our understanding of environmental challenges that face us today and in the future. So, too, do our alumni. This spring, we're spotlighting two recent graduates of the Appalachian Laboratory of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and their current research through our Watershed Moments Next Generation series. See below to learn more about them and their planned presentations.  Contact Rhonda Schwinabart, 301689-7102 or rschwinabart@umces.edu, with any questions. We look forward to you joining us! 

Watershed Moments Next Generation Series

Thursday, May 4, 6:30pm at the Appalachian Laboratory 
Dr. Kelly Pearce
UMCES-Appalachian Laboratory alum and Current Assistant Professor at Allegheny College
 
Conservation through Collaboration: Using camera traps to form partnerships and inform conservation in the French Creek Watershed
Private land provides critical habitat for many wildlife species which makes landowners and land trust organizations critical partners in conservation efforts. However, there is often little known about wildlife on private lands, because of lack of resources or incentives to conduct reliable surveys. In this presentation, Kelly will share an on-going 2-year project in Northwestern Pennsylvania, in which the Watershed Conservation Research Center used camera traps to collaborate with the French Creek Valley Conservancy, the Foundations for Sustainable Forests, and private landowners in the region to better understand the terrestrial diversity on their lands to help inform future conservation plans and purchases in the French Creek Watershed, the most biologically diverse watershed in the state. 
 
 
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Select "register" below the event descriptions to register for one or both events.  
 

REGISTER 

Thursday, June 1, 6:30pm on Zoom 
Dr. Stephanie Siemek
UMCES-Appalachian Laboratory alum and current Hydrologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System
 
Navigating the waters of arid lands
In this upcoming presentation, Stephanie describes her position as a hydrologist for the US. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Southwest Region, where water is scarce and the competition for it is high. Hear about the hardships and challenges of making every drop count and what it takes to sustain habitats for threatened and endangered species in desert lands that have been extensively engineered to support human activities. Furthermore, learn how Stephanie acquired her position at USFWS, as well as other approaches on how to secure a permanent position in the Department of the Interior.  
 
 
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. 
 

REGISTER 

Past Watershed Moments

UMCES Alumnus and NASA Astronaut Ricky Arnold on International Space Station
Launched in 2015, the Watershed Moments series has included presentations by NASA Astronaut and UMCES alumnus Ricky Arnold, children’s author and filmmaker Lynne Cherry, glaciologist Richard Alley, and prairie dog expert and UMCES faculty member John Hoogland, among others.
 
More information on past Watershed Moments Community Learning Series Events, including links to event recordings, can be found here.