Coalition for Buzzards Bay Lecture Series to Address Global Nitrogen Pollution Problem

March 26, 2007

CONTACT:

John Vasconcellos

The Coalition for Buzzards Bay

(508) 999-6363, ext. 202

NEW BEDFORD, MA—The nitrogen pollution degrading local harbors and coves is not unique to Buzzards Bay. A recent survey by the United Nations Environment Program found that the number of nitrogen-causing “dead zones” in oceans and bays around the world has doubled since 1990 to 146. 

The Coalition for Buzzards Bay invites the public to learn more about this worldwide problem by attending The Global Nitrogen Pollution Crisis, a series of lectures which will explore the histories, commonalities, and lessons-to-be-learned from other bays around the world.  The first lecture, focusing on Narragansett Bay, will take place on Thursday, April 12 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Patron’s Hall, Dartmouth Grange, 1133 Fisher Road, Dartmouth.

John Torgan, Narragansett Baykeeper at Save The Bay in Rhode Island, will discuss the challenges right next door—with specific emphasis on the plan to save Greenwich Bay, site of the region’s largest fish kill in 2003.  His talk will focus on nutrient and stormwater pollution in Narragansett Bay and will address his work on regionally-focused ecosystem based management as well as collaborative projects undertaken with the Coalition.

Torgan has been connected to Narragansett Bay and its watershed his entire life. Through his involvement with the international Water Keeper Alliance, of which The Coalition for Buzzards Bay is also a part, Torgan directs Save the Bay’s advocacy and pollution response activities. In his role as Narragansett Baykeeper, Torgan is the “eyes and ears” as well as the voice of Narragansett Bay.  He works to address environmental problems by fielding calls and issues from the community and working alongside government agencies, and sometimes at odds with them, to protect the Bay and its tributary rivers and to restore water quality, habitat and ecological health to the system.

The Global Nitrogen Pollution Crisis lecture series will continue throughout the spring.  Subsequent talks include:

April 26: Chesapeake Bay

Marion Music Hall, 164 Front Street, Marion

Tom Horton, Baltimore Sun reporter and author of Turning the Tide: Saving the Chesapeake Bay, will provide a cautionary tale on the decades-long struggle to clean up the Chesapeake—the largest estuary in North America.

May 10: The Black Sea, Montego Bay, and Lake Fryxell

Falmouth Academy, 7 Highfield Drive, Falmouth

Dr. Brian Howes, Professor at the School for Marine Science and Technology, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth and Mark Rasmussen, Buzzards Baykeeper and the Coalition’s Executive Director, will share stories behind their work on nitrogen management efforts from the Caribbean to Eastern Europe to Antarctica.

Admission is free to members of The Coalition for Buzzards Bay.  Charge per lecture for non-members is $5.  Senior or student non-member charge per lecture is $3.

For more information, click :: here :: or contact The Coalition for Buzzards Bay at 508-999-6363.

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The Coalition for Buzzards Bay is a private, non-profit membership organization dedicated to the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of Buzzards Bay and its watershed. The organization works to improve the health of the Bay ecosystem for all through education, conservation, research and advocacy and is supported by more than 4,700 members.