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2024 E&SC Attendees

2024 Erosion & Sediment Control Fall Field Days

Attendees in Westerly, RI on 9.17.2024

Name Job Title Company Email
Sarah Coccaro Assistant Director Town of Greenwich sarah.coccaro@greenwichct.gov
Jack DeJordy Environmental Technician

SRICD

jdejordy@sricd.org
Beth Evans Director, Environmental Affairs

Town of Greenwich

Elizabeth.Evans@greenwichct.org
River Fenton Project Engineer

Ransom Consulting

river.fenton@pinchin.com
Gina Fuller District Manager

SRICD

gfuller@sricd.org
Michael Giguere, Jr. Environmental Technician

SRICD

mgiguere@sricd.org
Devan Healy Environmental Analyst

Town of Greenwich

devan.healy@greenwichct.gov
Benjamin Hooks Project Scientist I

Ransom Consulting

ben.hooks@pinchin.com
Frankie Lofaro Environmental Affairs Support Specialist

Town of Greenwich

Frank.Lofaro@greenwichct.gov
Brendan Peck Soil Conservationist

USDA NRCS

brendan.peck@usda.gov
Rebecca Poirier Environmental Analyst

Town of Greenwich

Rebecca.Poirier@greenwichct.org
Meghan Seeley Outreach Coordinator / Environmental Technician

SRICD

mseeley@sricd.org
Samuel Suorsa Surveyor

Coventry Survey

info@coventrysurvey.com

Attendees in Vernon, CT on 9.18.2024

Name Job Title Company Email
Molly Ahern Soil Scientist

CLA Engineers

mkahern@claengineers.com
Julie Bjorkman Environmental Consultant

JKB Consulting, LLC

julie_bjorkman@yahoo.com
Autum Burke Environmental Planner

Town of South Windsor

autum.burke@southwindsor-ct.gov
Robin Casioppo

GZA Inc.

robin.casioppo@gza.com
Christopher Dodge

USDA NRCS

chris.dodge@usda.gov
Kyle Dolce Conservation Nutrient Management

USDA NRCS

kyle.dolce@usda.gov
Shelby Doolittle

USDA NRCS

shelby.gaiss@usda.gov
Kaitlyn Eannotti Civil Engineer

VHB

keannotti@vhb.com
Jim Gavin

USDA NRCS

jim.gavin@usda.gov
Wilca Decimus Student

U. Mass Amherst

Trey Ingram

USDA NRCS

trey.ingram@usda.gov
Colin Kelly Conservation Director

Town of Westport

ckelly@westportct.gov
Kristen Lodato Asst. Wetlands Compliance Officer

Town of Greenwich

Kristen.Lodato@greenwichct.gov
Patrick Lord Ecologist / Environmental Specialist

GZA, Inc.

patricklord65@gmail.com
Jonathan Ludovico

USDA NRCS

jonathan.ludovico@usda.gov
James Lyons

USDA NRCS

james.lyons@usda.gov
Alexandra MacLaren

USDA NRCS

alexandra.maclaren@usda.gov
Kate Preston Natural Resource Specialist

Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District

kpreston@conservect.org
Cynthia Rabinowitz Soil and Wetland Scientist

Northwest Conservation District

cynthiar@nwcd.org
Carlie Ritchie Conservation Nutrient Management Planner

USDA NRCS

carlie.ritchie@usda.gov
Marabelle Tucci

BSC Group

mtucci@bscgroup.com
Jenn Urena Wetlands Compliance Officer

Town of Greenwich

Jennifer.Urena@greenwichct.org
Paul Vitaliano Director of Land Development

VHB

motero@vhb.com
Alexander Wojtkowiak Wetland Scientist

Stantec

alexander.wojtkowiak@stantec.com
Megan Woytik

USDA NRCS

megan.woytik@usda.gov

Fourteen additional attendees preferred not to share their names and contact info. Eleven work in conservation organizations or local government, and three work in the private sector.

Attendees in North Grafton, MA on 9.19.2024

Name Job Title Company Email
Brian Allen Natural Resource Specialist

USDA NRCS

brian.allen@usda.gov
Olivia Barksdale Conservation Agent

Town of Acton

obarksdale@actonma.gov
Mike Barry Forester

USDA NRCS

michael.barry2@usda.gov
Eleah Caseau Conservation Agent

Town of Shrewsbury

ecaseau@shrewsburyma.gov
Sam Corbin Conservation Assistant

Town of Westborough

scorbin@westboroughma.gov
Erasme Da Cruz

BSC Group

edacruz@bscgroup.com
Melissa Danza Conservation Agent

Town of Southborough

mdanza@southboroughma.com
Mike Downey Service Forester

MA Bureau of Forestry

forwild20@hotmail.com
Isabella Genova Conservation Agent

Town of Mendon

igenova@mendonma.gov
James Joyce II Conservation Commissioner

Woburn Conservation Commission

jfjoyce2@comcast.net
Thomas Liddy

Lucas Environmental, LLC

tel@lucasenviro.com
Dylan Lindholm Assistant Planner

Towns of Mendon, Uxbridge, Millville

dlindholm@mendonma.gov
Clay Lovelace Compliance Monitor

BSC Group

clovelace@bscgroup.com
Kinsale McGrath Environmental Scientist

Tetra Tech

kinsale.mcgrath@tetratech.com
Jennifer Miller Conservation Director

Town of Westborough

jmiller@westboroughma.gov
Thomas O’Connor Natural Resource Specialist

USDA NRCS

thomas.o’connor@usda.gov
Jack O’Leary Vice President of Operations

Green Seal Environmental, LLC

jdolearyjr@gmail.co
Mike Patnaude Natural Resource Specialist

USDA NRCS

michael.patnaude@usda.gov
Joe Rogers Senior Project Manager

GZA, Inc.

joseph.rogers@gza.com
Kyle Rutkowski Highway Leadsperson

Town of Westborough

krutkowski@westboroughma.gov
Jan Elyse Taylor Asst. Conservation Agent

Town of Grafton

taylorj@grafton-ma.gov
Vincent Thai Stormwater Coordinator

Town of Shrewsbury

vthai@shrewsburyma.gov
Lauren Vivier Conservation Agent

Town of Sturbridge

lvivier@sturbridge.gov
Alex Wu Soil Conservationist

USDA NRCS

alexander.wu@usda.gov
Megan Woytik

USDA NRCS

megan.woytik@usda.gov

Ten additional attendees preferred not to share their names and contact info. Five work in conservation organizations or local government, and five work in the private sector.

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2024 Winter Conference Legacy Page

Winter Conferences

Dec 22, 2023 update:  

PARTICIPATION HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES, NON-PROFITS, ACADEMIA AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

2024 Winter Conference

on Resilient Restoration

Friday, February 16, 2024
Crowne Plaza, Warwick RI

SWCS Southern New England Chapter is taking a soup-to-nuts look at restoration projects focused on improving resiliency and repairing damage cause by humans.  One such project will be used as a case study for permitting as an Ecological Restoration Limited Project under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act.  Broad participation has been confirmed by state and federal agencies, non-profits, academia and the private sector; scroll down for preliminary program information and check back for updates as the program develops.  
Certificates of attendance will be provided to document 6 solid hours of educational content suitable for professional certification renewals. 


REGISTER HERE

Theme:

COMMUNITY-BASED, COLLABORATIVE RESILIENT RESTORATION PROJECTS

Partnerships and collaboration are integral to success.  Join us in sharing ideas, case studies, success stories and lessons learned!

The Call for Presentations requested topics including but not limited to:

Case Building and Community Outreach • Partnerships and Funding • Landowner Coordination • Engineering and Design • Permitting • Monitoring • Scientific Studies • Legal Agreements • Bidding and Contracts • Construction • Implementation • Adaptive Management • Data Sharing and Reporting

We’ve had excellent response but are still accepting suggestions about collaborative efforts to restore degraded resources and increase resiliency.  Please let us know if you’re working on a community-based restoration project or conducting resiliency-related studies in Connecticut, Massachusetts or Rhode Island.  

   

2024 Registration Rates

Registration is online via credit/debit card only.

  • General Admission: $125

  • SWCS Member: $75

  • Student General Admission: $50*

  • SWCS Student Chapter Member: $25

  • Blue Light Special: $190

    Join the Soil & Water Conservation Society now at the $115 Conservationist level and benefit immediately by registering at the $75 SNEC Member rate!  Simply select the Blue Light Special option when you register – we’ll handle the SWCS membership paperwork.  For more information about benefits of membership (including a subscription to the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation)
*Students must be currently enrolled full-time at an accredited high school, college, or university.
  • Rain or Shine | No Refunds | Transfer Allowed

  • Lunch and coffee will be provided.

  • Registration includes presentations and access to exhibits.

REGISTER HERE


EXHIBIT TABLES AVAILABLE!

SWCS Southern New England Chapter’s mission is promote, educate and advance the science of soil, water and related resources conservation. We seek vendors of products and services that can help deliver solutions during all phases of the project  

Exhibitor Registration: $500

Includes one 6-foot table with drape and registration for one (1) person

Additional Exhibit Staff: $75

For more information, contact jc@swcssnec.org.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To get a sense of the PROSPECTIVE AUDIENCE, see lists of attendees at previous SNEC Winter Conferences:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES!

The Southern New England Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society invites you to join us in our mission to promote, educate, and advance all phases of the science of conservation of soil, water and related resources. We believe that by partnering with organizations that share our goals, we can work together towards a more sustainable future.

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Please reach out to Jaime Clintsman, jc@swcssnec.org or 214.870.9249 for more information.

Preliminary Program Information

SNEC is please to announce that participation has been confirmed by

Details to follow as additional speakers confirm.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER



A Special Wetland
Eversource Energy’s Atlantic White Cedar Mitigation
and 1st Year of Long-Term Monitoring

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) considers Cedar Swamps (wetlands that contain Northern or Atlantic White Cedar) as a Special Wetland with the presumption that these natural communities provide habitat for State-listed rare species. Mitigation for Atlantic White Cedar (AWC) tree removal was required as part of Eversource Energy’s 400/500 Lines Rebuild Project as a condition of the CT DEEP issued 401 Water Quality Certification.  The Mitigation Plan included enhancement of an existing 0.5-acre Atlantic White Cedar (AWC) stand and expansion/creation of 0.25-acre AWC habitat through the planting of 159 locally sourced AWC seedlings as well as herbivory protection fencing installation. In addition to this revegetation effort, annual monitoring of the planting was necessary to determine the long-term success of the plantings.  This presentation provides detail on the project, the required mitigation plan, and the results of the 1st year of monitoring.


Herring River Tidal Restoration Project:
a WPA Ecological Restoration Limited Project Case Study

In 2014, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) adopted new regulations to facilitate permitting of Ecological Restoration projects “whose primary purpose is to restore or otherwise improve the natural capacity of a Resource Area(s) to protect and sustain the interests identified in M.G.L. c. 131, § 40, when such interests have been degraded or destroyed by anthropogenic influences.”  These included a Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (WPA) general permit for Ecological Restoration (ER) projects that meet specific criteria and provisions to guide development and permitting of ER projects that are not eligible for the general permit.

In its natural, historic state, the Herring River in Wellfleet Massachusetts supported a vibrant estuarine ecosystem and the largest diadromous fish run on outer Cape Cod.  Construction of a dike at the mouth of the river in 1909 and other alterations to the natural hydrology eliminated tidal flow to the salt marsh, drained the wetlands and transformed the estuary into one of the Cape’s most degraded natural resources.

Replacement of a portion of the dike with a new bridge and tidal control structures, combined with removal of other barriers to fish passage and tidal exchange, will restore water quality and habitat connectivity to the entire estuary, restore marine and coastal habitats, improve resiliency to climate change, provide economic benefits to the region and revive a herring run that feeds the Gulf of Maine fisheries.  Nine adjustable tide gates will allow incremental reintroduction of tidal flow in accordance with a scientifically rigorous Adaptive Management Plan based on structured decision-making; increasing tidal flow will bring saltwater back to the river and return it to the thriving and ecologically productive estuary it was for thousands of years before the dike was built.

Phase 1 of the Project includes (i) construction of all infrastructure needed for full restoration of tidal exchange to the Herring River estuary, (ii) vegetation/marsh management, and (iii) reintroduction of tidal flow to a specified water surface elevation in the lower Herring River basin.  The environmental permitting process began with the filing of an Environmental Notification Form in 2008 and was completed in the spring of 2022 with issuance of WPA Orders of Conditions by the Wellfleet and Truro Conservation Commissions approving the Tidal Restoration limited project.

Introducing JAIME CLINTSMAN

The SNEC Board is pleased to announce that we’ve hired a part-time Administrator and Event Coordinator: Jaime Clintsman.

Jaime will be the primary point of contact for this conference and for SNEC matters in general. If you have suggestions or would like to participate, please contact Jaime at (214) 870-9249 or jc@swcssnec.org.

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2024 Winter Conference Attendees

2023 Winter Conference – Attendees

Registered Attendees as of 6 Feb 2024

Four attendees prefer to remain anonymous – (1) district agency,  (1) state agency and (2) private sector staff. 

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Administrator & Event Coordinator

Join our team:

Hiring an Administrator & Event Coordinator!

Download PDF

SWCS Southern New England Chapter (SNEC) seeks a self-motivated contractor to handle administrative matters, coordinate educational events and outreach activities, and provide support to a volunteer Board of Directors on a part-time, remote basis (currently 400 hours/year with opportunity for expansion).

Experience managing website content and coordinating events is mandatory. Conservation experience is a plus, but not required

Flexible Hours – Work from Home

SEND YOUR RESUME TO INFO@SWCSSNEC.ORG

The Southern New England Chapter (SNEC) of the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) is a 501(c)(3) organization whose objective is to promote, educate and advance all phases of the science of conservation of soil, water and all related resources.

SNEC Administrator & Event Coordinator

JOB DESCRIPTION:

SNEC is a small non-profit organization that relies heavily on its volunteer Board of Directors. We serve our members and the regional conservation community primarily by providing opportunities for professional development and networking; the bulk of effort under this contract will stem from SNEC events and associated activities. Other typical duties include handling correspondence, managing website and social media content, and supporting outreach campaigns. The selected contractor will assist the Board monthly with items such as event-planning virtual meetings, action item follow-up, and elections. The estimated level of effort for the scope of work described below is 400 hours/year.   

The workload for this position fluctuates throughout the year but is relatively predictable; the months leading up to our winter conference are the busiest and summer is slowest. SNEC has no office space or supplies. The contractor provides their own workspace and personal computer. The work for this contract can be accomplished completely remotely, with optional travel to events. Travel to and in-person attendance at our events is NOT required.

SNEC’s main educational event is a full-day winter conference that includes presentations, discussion, and exhibits. The SNEC annual chapter meeting is held in the summer and includes a field component; the location rotates between the states we serve. SNEC also hosts a minimum of two (2) fall field days focused on erosion and sediment control and stormwater management; the program typically includes indoor presentations in the morning (organized by SNEC) and field displays/demonstrations in the afternoon (organized by a distributor).

Event-related tasks include but are not limited to –

  • Securing venue space
  • Coordinating meals for attendees
  • Managing event registration and attendance using Eventbrite
  • Creating event webpages and updates and promoting the event via social media and Mailchimp email blasts
  • Developing event programs, agendas, and preparing folder inserts and graphics as needed
  • Managing event needs, and day-of coordination (can be done remotely through delegation to the SNEC BOD)
  • Completing post-event tasks like follow-up emails, and certificates of attendance

Administrative tasks include but are not limited to –

  • Coordinating Board and event-planning committee meetings, taking basic notes and tracking action items
  • Handling email correspondence, managing the mailing list, and maintaining contact with national staff
  • Submitting reports and maintaining records
  • Assisting Board with outreach to sponsors, and tracking delivery of sponsor benefits
  • Managing website and social media content of the chapter including swcssnec.org, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook
  • Compiling content and distributing quarterly newsletters
  • Managing and executing SNEC outreach program that includes student outreach and member retention initiatives

There is great potential to grow this role and add items or services beyond the above listed. Potential additional services include developing and administering additional training workshops, conferences, and seminars; development and production of brochures and other publications; and special project development.

Terms for the Administrator/Event Coordinator contract will be $25/hour for up to 400 hours/year, renewable each year based on satisfactory performance. As noted above, the scope and budget for this can be expanded by mutual agreement. The SNEC will be responsible for the cost of approved expenses and supplies required for performance of the contractual services, including but not limited to overnight travel (GSA rates), meeting and office supplies, venue fees, postage, and web-related expenses. The Contractor retains the right to perform services for other clients.

How to Submit Your Application:

  • Applications must include at least one link to a website that demonstrates your content management capability and at least one event page link or program from an event you coordinated.
  • Contact information for a minimum of two references appropriate to this job description is required.
  • Submit your 1-page resume and the above requested information to info@swcs.org.

For questions contact us at info@swcssnec.org. To learn more about the Chapter, visit https://swcssnec.org.

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2023 Winter Conference Attendees

2023 Winter Conference – Attendees

Also in attendance were a student, a state employee and a federal employee who prefer not to be named.

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2023 Winter Conference Presentations

2023 Winter Conference – Presentations

The SNEC Board of Directors would like to thank all of our fabulous speakers for their energy and expertise!


Speaker Biographies and Contact Information (PDF)


Conference and Presentation Descriptions and PDFs


“MICROPLASTICS IN THE ENVIRONMENT”
BAOSHAN XING

Professor and Director of Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts Amherst


“Through the River and Over the Woods: Global PFAS Exposure and Implications for Ecosystem Health”
Lisa McIntosh

Senior Technical Manager, Woodard & Curran


“Improving Water Quality One Field at a Time: NRCS Practices for Producers”
Nancy Ferlow

Connecticut Natural Resources Conservation Service


“MassDEP’s Environmental Justice Initiatives to Improve Water Quality”
Dr. Padmini Das

Chief, Nonpoint Source Management Program, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection


“Implementing the Single Standards Act to Increase State Protection of Buffers for Freshwater Wetlands in Rhode Island”
Chuck Horbert

Deputy Administrator, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management


“Quality of Massachusetts Waters: Regulation, Improvement and Challenges”
David Wong

Environmental Analyst, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection


“Wetlands and the MA Contingency Plan”
Mia McDonald

Circuit Rider, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

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2023 – Water Quality in Southern New England: The Latest Research, Practice, and Policy

Winter Conferences

Past Events

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SNEC 2022 Winter Conference

SWCS SNEC 2023 Winter Conference “Water Quality in Southern New England: The Latest Research, Practice, and Policy”

Thursday MARCH 30, 2023
University of Massachusetts Amherst Campus Center
Amherst and Hadley Rooms (10th floor)
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Join us for our first in-person winter conference since 2019! Our program will delve into current issues in water quality and explore solutions for reversing damage to our precious natural resources. Speakers will discuss the latest water quality research, practice, policy affecting Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

We look forward to seeing you there!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Program Information

CLICK HERE for Speaker Information

Final Agenda 3.21.23

View the Agenda as a PDF.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Registration

Online Registration Only | No Checks

General Admission $125

SNEC Member $75

Full Time Student $50

SWCS Student Chapter Member $25

Exhibitor $400

–> BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL $190 <–

Join the Soil & Water Conservation Society now at the $115 Conservationist level and benefit immediately by registering at the $75 SNEC Member rate! Select the Blue Light Special option and we’ll handle the SWCS membership paperwork.

Note: this offer is available only to first-time SWCS members.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  • Rain or Shine | No Refunds | Transfer Allowed
  • Lunch and coffee will be provided.
  • Your registration includes presentations and access to exhibits.
  • Parking is available at the Parking Garage at the conference rate of $6.50.
  • UMass Amherst is a Smoke Free campus.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Additional information will be provided via e-mail prior to the event. This will include the agenda, links for handouts if any are provided by speakers, and parking information.

If any COVID-19 precautions will be required by UMass, that information will also be provided. There are no restrictions in place at this time (19 Jan 2023). Current Guidance for Campus Events is posted at
https://www.umass.edu/coronavirus/news/current-guidance-fall-2021-events.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Exhibitor Information

SWCS Southern New England Chapter’s mission is promote, educate and advance the science of soil, water and related resources conservation. We seek subject matter experts that can help deliver solutions.

To get a sense of the prospective audience, see lists of attendees at past SNEC Winter Conferences:

We have use of the entire 10th floor of the Campus Center. To see a floor plan, go to https://www.umasshospitality.com/locations-capacities and click on 10th Floor Campus Center. Presentations will be in the Amherst Room. Exhibits, coffee and the lunch buffet will be in the Hadley Room and foyer.  

Exhibitor Registration $400

includes one 6-foot table with paper drape and registration for one (1) person.

Additional Exhibit Staff $75
Register online via credit card.

–> For more information, contact events@swcssnec.org.

Speaker Information (pdf)

Speaker Bios

“Microplastics in the Environment”
Baoshan Xing

Professor and Director of Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Baoshan Xing is Professor (Environmental & Soil Chemistry) and Director of Stockbridge School of Agriculture at University of Massachusetts Amherst. His current research includes agricultural application of engineered nanomaterials, environmental processes of microplastics, use of biochar for soil improvement and remediation, and food safety. He is a “Most Cited Scientist” every year since 2014 when this analytics started, indicating the impact and significance of his research. His h-index is currently at 135 and the total citation on his research is over 75,000 (Google Scholar). Dr. Xing is currently an Editor of Environmental Pollution, Biochar, and Carbon Research. He received numerous national and international awards/honors. His research program is recognized nationally and internationally.


“Through the River and Over the Woods: Global PFAS Exposure and Implications for Ecosystem Health”
Lisa McIntosh

Senior Technical Manager, Woodard & Curran

Lisa McIntosh is a senior technical manager and principal at Woodard & Curran, with an academic background in environmental toxicology and over 25 years of experience in environmental consulting. Ms. McIntosh is certified as a general toxicologist by the American Board of Toxicology. During her career, Lisa has focused primarily on environmental risk assessment to support cleanup of contaminated sites, with special interest in risk communication and emerging contaminants. Her interests and background in ecology have also allowed her to dabble in the fields of wetlands and ecological restoration. She is actively involved in the scientific and regulatory community, including the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Society for Women Environmental Professionals and the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council PFAS workgroup. In her free time, she spends as much time as she can either at home in the garden or out in the woods hiking and camping.


“Improving Water Quality One Field at a Time: NRCS Practices for Producers”
Nancy Ferlow

Connecticut Natural Resources Conservation Service

Nancy Ferlow is the State Resource Conservations for USDA-NRCS in Connecticut.  She has been with the agency for 30 years.  Nancy’s current responsibilities include Agency compliance with the Endangered Species Act, Highly Erodible and Wetlands compliance, conservation planning tools, quality assurance and staff training.  Her education is in Biology, Geology and Forestry.


“MassDEP’s Environmental Justice Initiatives to Improve Water Quality”
Dr. Padmini Das

Chief, Nonpoint Source Management Program, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

Dr. Padmini Das oversees MassDEP’s Nonpoint Source Management Program as the NPS Section Chief in the Watershed Planning Program. Her responsibilities include the development and implementation of the NPS Management Program Plan through Clean Water Act Section 604(b) Water Quality Management Planning Grants, and Section 319 NPS Competitive Grant Program. Dr. Das was previously the Chair of the Department of Biology at Nazareth College of Rochester, where she was also an Associate Professor, Director of the Environmental Science and Sustainability Program, and Director of the Environmental Quality and Remediation Research Group. She has research expertise in soil and water quality assessment and the design and implementation of sustainable best management practices to remediate a wide array of soil and water contaminants, notably lead, arsenic, plastic degradants, nutrients, TNT, RDX, PCBs, and emerging contaminants. Through these community-driven environmental projects, she has worked for the benefit of disadvantaged communities, engaging community youth as an integral part of these projects. Dr. Das has a Ph.D. in Environmental Management from Montclair State University, two Master of Science degrees in Environmental Science from the University of Texas at San Antonio and the University of Pune (India), and a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from the University of Pune.


“Implementing the Single Standards Act to Increase State Protection of Buffers for Freshwater Wetlands in Rhode Island”
Chuck Horbert

Deputy Administrator, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Office of Water Resources

After graduating in 1989 from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Wildlife Biology and Management, Chuck was hired as a biologist by RIDEM in their Division of Freshwater Wetlands. Three years later, he became a Supervisor for that Program, where he spent most of his career to date until his promotion to Deputy Administrator in the Office of Water Resources in 2019, where he primarily oversees stormwater permitting and the Water Quality Certification Program but still gets his hands on the Freshwater Wetlands Program from time to time. When he isn’t at work, he is often found in a canoe somewhere on the waters of New England or the Adirondacks.


“Quality of Massachusetts Waters: Regulation, Improvement and Challenges”
David Wong

Environmental Analyst, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

David Wong is an Environmental Analyst overseeing the 401 Water Quality Certification Program/WM 04 Chemical Application Program within Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. He holds a PhD in Marine Ecology, a MS and BSc in Fisheries/Aquaculture. David’s interests and experience include Water Quality Monitoring, Biological Invasions, Risk Assessment, Eutrophication Management, Ecological Restoration, and the Clean Water Act.


“Wetlands and the MA Contingency Plan”
Mia McDonald

Circuit Rider, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Central Regional Office

Mia McDonald is the Wetlands Circuit Rider for the Central Regional Office. Mia comes to MassDEP from her position as the Agent for the Towns of Northborough and Paxton. She also served on the Worcester Conservation Commission for approximately nine years. Mia graduated from WPI with a degree in environmental science which focused on environmental engineering and planning. She spent over a decade of her career in the private sector working on design, permitting and construction of drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.


-> Sponsorship Opportunities Available <-

Learn more

2023 SNEC Sponsors
  • Date and time

    Thu, March 30, 2023

    8:00 AM – 4:30 PM EDT
  • Location

    Campus Center

    10th floor
    1 Campus Center Way
    Amherst, MA 01003

42.39179515,-72.52701959187556

2023 SWCS Southern New England Chapter Winter Conference

Campus Center

10th floor
1 Campus Center Way
Amherst, MA 01003

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2016 Summer Compost

2016 Summer Meeting –
Compost Information

Upcoming Events

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Compost Use Notes – Bear Path Compost



EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT:

Managing Phosphorus in Organic Residuals
Applied to Soils

Composts, Biosolids, Manures, and
Other Organic Residual Sources

A symposium presented by the University of Massachusetts
Extension Agriculture and Landscape Program

Wednesday 2 November 2016
8:15 a.m. -4 p.m. in Marlborough, MA



MA Law and Regulations:

Mass Department of Agricultural Resources (MassDAR) info:

Water Supply Protection Areas:
The location of water supply protection areas, including Zone A areas, can be found on the MassDEP Water Supply Protection Map (Online Map Viewer):

UMass Amherst resources:

UMass Extension Crops, Dairy, Livestock & Equine (CDLE) Program  Fact Sheets

Soil and Nutrient Management:



Soil Biology Primer

Tugel, A.J., A.M. Lewandowski, and D. Happe-vonArb, eds. 2000. Soil Biology Primer. Ankeny, IA: Soil and Water Conservation Society.

48 full-color pages, 8.5″ x 11″ softbound

The Soil Biology Primer, a 4-color publication, introduces the living component of soil and how it contributes to agricultural productivity and to air and water quality.  This book is an excellent resource for gardeners, farmers, ranchers, agriculture professionals, resource specialists, conservationists, soil scientists, students, and educators.  The primer includes information on the soil food web—the community of organisms living in soil—and how the web relates to soil health.  Chapter topics include bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, arthropods, and earthworms.

The Soil Biology Primer Photo Gallery is posted on the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service Soil Health web page.

from the Soil Biology Primer



for the Connecticut contingent:

windrow turner at UConn

UConn Soil Testing Laboratory
Fact Sheets and Interpretation Sheets:  click here

UConn Home & Garden Education Center – an informational resource for your gardens and home.  Click here for Fact Sheets



Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management 
Division of Agriculture

Farmland Ecology Best Management Practices
Each BMP has a description of the practice and the benefits to be achieved by implementation, if appropriate. Not all of the management practices described may be implemented depending on the size and type of the agricultural operation nor is it required to implement more than one practice. Each farming operation is different and only those management practices which will prove to be economically and environmentally beneficial are recommended for implementation. The goal however, is the same for each individual practice and that is to protect and conserve Rhode Island’s natural resources.

Rhode Island General Laws:

Regulations:

Farm Fresh Rhode Island

Rhode Island Farm Bureau

Plan for Managing Nutrient Loadings to Rhode Island Waters
Prepared by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Pursuant to RI General Law ß 46-12-3(25) February 1, 2005 [Edited February 10, 2005]

News Release (February 15, 2005):

DEM ISSUES NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PLAN
Primary Goal is to Reduce Loadings from Wastewater Treatment Facilities



Cornell Waste Management Institute

CWMI is a program in the Soil and Crop Sciences Section, School of Integrative Plant Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University.  CWMI serves the public through research, outreach, training, and technical assistance, with a focus on organic residuals.

CWMI Composting Fact Sheets

Compost Fact Sheet Series #1-8

1. Marketing Composts and Meeting Consumer Needs. 6p, 2004 (updated 2015)
2. Regulation and Certification of Composts. 4p, 2004
3. Improving and Maintaining Compost Quality. 6p, 2004 (updated 2013)
4. Testing Composts. 6p, 2005 (updated 2015)
5. Compost Bulking Materials. 4p, 2004 (updated 2013)
6. Compost Pads. 6p, 2005
7. Compost Equipment. 6p, 2006
8. Composting Liquids. 4p, 2007

Natural Rendering Fact Sheets

Composting Livestock Mortality and Butcher Waste. 12p, 2002
Composting Road Kill. 12p, 2007
Composting Poultry Mortality. 12p, 2008
Horse Mortality: Carcass Disposal Alternatives. 8p, 2012

Health and Safety

Health & Safety Guidance for Composting in the School Setting. 2p, 2005
Health & Safety Guidance for Small Scale Composting. 2p, 2004

Home Composting

Composting at Home: the Green and Brown Alternative. 12p, 2011
Home Composting. 4p, 2005
Home Use of Milorganite®. 2p, 2006
Preventing Animal Nuisances in Small Scale Composting. 2p, 2005

Municipal Solid Waste Composting Fact Sheet Series #1-7

Table of Contents
1. Physical Processing
2. Biological Processing
3. Strategies for Separating Contaminants
4. Potential Effects of Heavy Metals on Plants and the Environment
5. Issues in Risk Assessment
6. Issues in Policy and Regulation
7. Key Aspects of Compost Quality Assurance
8. Composting Glossary

Municipal Yard Waste Composting – Operator’s Fact Sheet Series #1-10

Introduction and Table of Contents
1. The Compost Process
2. Composting Ingredients
3. Water
4. Oxygen
5. Temperature
6. Building Windrows
7. Turning Windrows
8. Chipping Woody Wastes
9. Health and Safety Precautions
10. Troubleshooting

COMPOST USE CATEGORY GUIDELINES

To familiarize yourself with the use categories listed below, click here.

To learn more about the organizations from which guidelines and specifications were obtained, click here.

To estimate the amount of compost needed for a project, click here.

Otherwise, select one of the following options…

Steamy-Compost

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2016 Summer Speakers

2016 Summer Meeting – Speaker Information

     Handouts are posted below

AGENDA

SPEAKERS

 ~~~

2016 Summer Meeting

Friday August 5th

 ~~~

C O M P O S T

Turning Waste into Wealth

Bear Path Farm, West Whately and UMass Amherst


The SWCS Southern New England Chapter 2016 Summer Meeting will feature a tour of the operations at Bear Path Farm, led by farm owner Bill Obear and partner Mike Mahar.

Bear Path Farm is recognized throughout the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts as a dedicated producer of high quality, compost for residential, agricultural and commercial applications for 20 years.  But many people are unaware of Bill’s commitment to sustainable forest management; of the farm’s 50 acres, 35 are forested with a diverse mix of hardwoods.   Bear Path Farm has been an official Tree Farm since 1984 and takes pride in the fact that its modest woodland is being sustainably managed under the guidelines of the American Tree Farm System and is certified as such by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).  By meeting the rigorous FSC forest management standards, Bear Path Farm reaps multiple environmental benefits for its forestland as well as for the greater good.

In 2015 the compost operation transitioned into Bear Path Compost, LLC.  The location remains the same; what’s changed is the addition of two new faces, Mike and Pete Mahar, as Bill’s new partners and owners of Bear Path Compost.  The Mahar brothers also operate Poplar Hill Farm and have the same zeal and attention to detail that Bill has demonstrated over the last 20 years.
     Handout:  Bear Path Compost History 

Mike and Bill will talk about their feedstocks and mixing & turning techniques; and they will open up and probe a few windrows for temperature.   “Of course we have other things to go over, but show and tell is basically what our tour will be all about.”
     Handout:  Compost Use Notes 
     Handout:  Compost as a Mulch in Ornamental Landscapes  


Katie Campbell-Nelson, a UMass Extension educator and vegetable specialist at the Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment, will provide practical information on site, including a demonstration of how to properly collect samples for analysis and guidance on interpreting compost test results.

The residues-to-riches story will continue at UMass Amherst.  Attendees will caravan or carpool to Lot 45; half-day parking permits will be distributed at the farm.  Presentations and Lunch will be in Room 308 at Holdsworth Hall.


Geoff Kuter, President and General Manager at Agresource, Inc., will provide an overview of  compost characteristics and the basics of the composting process, different types of facilities in the region (e.g. biosolids vs. leaf and yard wastes), the technologies and equipment that are used.
     Handout:  Composting Principles (slides) 2.9 MB 
     Handout:  Composting Principles (for taking notes)
 1.8 MB


Hotze Wijnja, an Environmental Chemist at the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, has been involved with the development and implementation of the regulations at 330 CMR 31.00 promulgated in 2015 to address plant nutrient management.  He will provide an overview of the regulations and discuss the implications of the requirements as they relate to the application of compost.
     Handout:  Plant Nutrient Regulations 1.7 KB
     Handout:  Turf & Lawns Factsheet 
     Handout:  Information Sheet for Agricultural Land


A video will be shown during lunch:  Low Cost Aerated Static Composting Systems for Small Acreage Equine Operations by  Masoud Hashemi and Atakan Kadi of UMass Extension.  Masoud Hashemi is an Associate Professor in the Crops, Dairy, Livestock, and Equine Program specializing in sustainable food and farming.  Through a 319s grant funded by Massachusetts Department of Environment Protection, UMass Extension implemented two Aerated Static Pile (ASP) composting systems, also known as forced aeration, to manage livestock manure and bedding produced on Blue Star Equiculture Farm in Palmer, Massachusetts.


Geoff Kuter will make a second presentation after lunch about the benefits of using compost and how compost is being used, including non-agricultural uses such as site remediation, and low impact  development projects including wetland restoration and storm water management projects.
     Handout:  Compost Characteristics & Uses (slides) 1.6 MB
     Handout:  Compost Characteristics & Uses (for taking notes) 3.4 MB


The event will conclude with the Southern New England Chapter Annual Meeting, which is open to all.  FY 2017 Board of Directors election results will be announced.  Other agenda items will include discussion of the 2017 Winter conference, long-term goals and the FY17 budget.


In the spirit of conservation, only the agendas will be provided in hard copy.  Please print any information you want to have on hand.

Certificates of Attendance will be distributed before the Chapter Meeting; these will show the agenda to document 3 contact hours of professional development.


AGENDA:

8:30 a.m. Sign In at Bear Path Farm and
pick up UMass Parking Permit
8:50 a.m. Greetings and Acknowledgments
9:00 a.m. Tour of Bear Path Compost
Bill Obear and Mike Mahar
9:30 a.m. Compost Analysis and Interpretation
Katie Campbell-Nelson
10:00 a.m. Caravan/Carpool to UMass Amherst – – park in Lot 45
Reconvene at Holdsworth Hall Room 308
See DIRECTIONS pages 4-6 for map, aerial and narrative guidance.
10:40 a.m. Greetings and Acknowledgements II
10:45 a.m. Composting Principles
Geoff Kuter
11:20 a.m. Plant Nutrient Regulations
Hotze Wijnja
12:00 p.m. Serve Lunch
12:15 p.m. Lunchtime Video:  Low Cost Aerated Static Composting Systems for Small Acreage Equine Operations
Masoud Hashemi and Atakan Kadi
12:45 p.m. Compost Characteristics and Uses
Geoff Kuter
1:15 p.m. Wrap Up – – distribute Certificates of Attendance
1:25 p.m. Southern New England Chapter Annual Meeting
1:45 p.m. Meeting Adjourned!

Certificates of Attendance will include this agenda to document 3 contact hours of professional development.

The SNEC Board of Directors would like to thank all of our fabulous speakers for their energy and expertise!


Jon Budreski of AirShark had this to say after speaking and exhibiting at this, his first SWCS Southern New England Chapter conference:
“Honestly I wasn’t sure what it would be like outside of some high caliber academia / research oriented people.  But applied management was front and center in a practical way, although at times over my head since my soil science days !   I enjoyed meeting lots of great people also interested in UAS / Drones, and was impressed at their attention as I continue to be impressed at how interested people are about UAS as research and management tools to collect data.”  


Speaker Biographies and Contact Information (PDF)



Workshop and Presentation Descriptions and PDFs

Keynote Address:  Adapt CT – Outreach Efforts for Resilience and Adaptation (6 MB) | CT Sea Grant, the Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) and UConn Extension have partnered to develop Adapt CT, a unique collaboration to bring information, interaction and dialogue to the most pressing resilience and adaptation issues faced in CT.  This presentation will focus on the numerous and challenging problems raised by stakeholders across CT and how we are working to move forward on many of these resilience issues.
– – -> Juliana BARRETT | Extension Educator, UConn Sea Grant Program


Soil Workshop #1:  Getting to Know Soils in an Urban/Suburban Environment (5 MB) | Exploration of the unique hazards faced by urban soils and of the many benefits they offer.  Ideas for improvement and protection to sustain a healthy urban environment for the future.  Overview of urban soil types, mapping and practical measures to take when working with them.

“Urban soils are under unique stresses, but they give a lot too!”
– – -> Lisa KRALL | Resource Soil Scientist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service


Sustainability and Urban Forestry (5 MB)  | What makes for a sustaining urban forest?  That answer is as complicated as answering what makes an urban forest – as one considers what it takes for a tree to thrive in today’s dynamic urban environments.
– – -> Chris DONNELLY | Urban Forestry Coordinator, CT DEEP Division of Forestry


Sustainable Stormwater BMPs from the Municipal Perspective (4 MB)| Rarely is the sustainability and cost of maintenance by the cities, towns and private parties who will eventually own and maintain them a consideration prior to installation of stormwater management BMPs.  Case studies of local projects provide a real-life view of storm water management challenges and practical measures implemented to resolve them.
– – -> Charles EATON | Director of Municipal Services, CME Associates


Soil Workshop #2:  Urban Soil Health and Permaculture/Agriculture in Urban Areas (7 MB) | A look at managing the urban landscape to improve soil function and nutrient cycling, and to increase carbon sequestration, infiltration and water holding capacity.  Permaculture, the development of agricultural ecosystems intended to be sustainable and self-sufficient, will be highlighted.

“I have a passion for conservation, primarily through soil health and ecosystem restoration.  I am an avid believer that humans, while widely considered the problem to environmental issues, can also be the solution to them; and that we can, through the facilitation of understanding, improve the planet we live on.  It is with this torch I carry myself in my life and my career as a conservationist.  Become the change you want to see in the world, and see it done.” 
– – -> Raymond COVINO | District Conservationist and Soil Health Specialist, USDA NRCS


Municipal Resiliency: Local Problems, Local Actions | Seeing the impacts of climate change first hand, municipal and regional leaders are adapting to the changes at the local level. This session will cover the relationship between adaptation and land-use planning, and a recent resiliency project:  a Low-Impact Development Design Manual for the town of Morris (funded by CIRCA and overseen by NHCOG.  Attendees will learn about starting the adaptation planning process, where to find tools and informative case studies.
– – -> Joanna WOZNIAK-BROWN | Planning Assistant, Northwest Hills Council of Governments (NHCOG)


Bringing Wetlands to Market: Examining the Role of Nitrogen in Blue Carbon (5 MB) | Coastal wetlands have carbon sequestration rates three to five times greater than tropical rain forests; but excess nitrogen inputs and other stressors have the potential to alter carbon cycling and storage within wetlands.  Bringing Wetlands to Market is a collaborative project that provided data and a model for predicting carbon uptake rates (and greenhouse gas fluxes) from coastal wetlands.
– – -> Katelyn SZURA | Graduate Student, URI Moseman-Valtierra Laboratory


Practical Applications for Drones in Data Collection (5 MB) | Discussion of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (i.e.  drone technology), the regulatory environment and examples of commercial grade products delivered for clients.  Overview includes inspection and mapping for civil/environmental projects, documentation, stakeholder engagement and general considerations for planning and executing successful missions.  Example products & deliverables include Point Cloud/3D renderings, ortho-mosaics and elevation models.
– – -> Jon BUDRESKI | Co-Founder and Director of Business Development, AirShark


–>> AGENDA <<–

8:00 a.m. Registration | Exhibits & Networking | Breakfast
9:00 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:10 a.m. Keynote Address:  Adapt CT – Outreach Efforts for Resilience and Adaptation (PDF, 6 MB)

Juliana BARRETT | UConn Sea Grant Program

9:30 a.m. Soil Workshop #1:  Getting to Know Soils in an Urban/Suburban Environment  (PDF, 5 MB)

Lisa KRALL | USDA NRCS

10:30 a.m. Sustainability and Urban Forestry (PDF, 5 MB)

Chris DONNELLY | CT DEEP

11:00 a.m. Break
11:15 a.m. Sustainable Stormwater BMPs from the Municipal Perspective (PDF, 4 MB)

Chuck EATON | CME Associates

12:15 p.m. Lunch | Exhibits & Networking
1:00 p.m. Soil Workshop #2: Urban Soil Health and Permaculture/Agriculture in Urban Areas (PDF, 7 MB)

Raymond COVINO | USDA NRCS

2:30 p.m. Break
2:40 p.m. Municipal Resiliency: Local Problems, Local Actions

Joanna WOZNIAK-BROWN | Northwest Hills Council of Governments

3:10 p.m. Bringing Wetlands to Market: Examining the Role of Nitrogen in Blue Carbon (PDF, 5 MB)

Katelyn SZURA | URI Moseman-Valtierra Laboratory

3:40 p.m. Break
3:45 p.m. Practical Applications for Drones in Data Collection (PDF, 5 MB)

Jon BUDRESKI | AirShark

4:25 p.m. Closing Remarks
Certificates of Attendance will be available at the door at the end of the program.
4:45 p.m. Southern New England Chapter Meeting – Open to All

BROCHURE

Speaker Biographies and Contact Information


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2020 Winter Conference – Speakers

2020 Winter Conference – Speakers

Upcoming Events

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Emily Cole leads AFT’s Climate and Agriculture Program in New England. She works both to improve and advocate for the integration of climate-smart management practices into New England’s productive farming communities through education, outreach, and policy. She earned her Doctorate in plant and soil sciences from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where her research focused on improving soil health and carbon sequestration through the application of biochar and implementation of climate-smart management practices. She also holds a Master of Science Education from Boston University and a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Kenyon College. 

27 August Rd
Simsbury, CT 06070
(413) 240-4629
ecole@farmland.org


Karen Ribeiro has worked in the renewable energy and efficiency markets since 2008 when she left a career in banking to serve the planet. Karen has two undergraduate degrees from UMass Amherst and has earned an M.B.A. from Western New England University. Karen has extensive sales and service experience and is well informed on utility regulations, state policies and incentive programs. She is an owner of PV Squared Solar, is a member of the commercial design & sales team, and represents PV Squared regionally and nationally on the political front.

PV Squared Solar
311 Wells St. Greenfield, MA 01301
(413) 265-3892
karenr@pvsquared.coop


Christopher Stone is a licensed Professional Engineer with over 30 years of experience as a designer, project manager and regulator in a broad spectrum of civil and environmental engineering applications. He began his career in private consulting as a site and utility design engineer, eventually specializing in stormwater management in the site design process. Chris left consulting to develop the CTDEEP’s stormwater program as their first stormwater engineer. He has written all of the current DEEP stormwater general permits including the first-in-the-nation commercial stormwater general permit issued in 1995. His current focus is on the development of the next generation of stormwater general permits addressing industrial, commercial, municipal and construction stormwater management. Chris has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Urban Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a NICET certified Land Management and Water Control Inspector and has received the Recognition Award for Outstanding Professional Service from Connecticut Engineers in Private Practice and the DEEP Green Circle Award.

CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
MMCA/WPED
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 424-3850
chris.stone@ct.gov


Sharon Klein is an Associate Professor in the School of Economics at the University of Maine. She has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a Ph.D. in Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University. Prior to her career in higher education, Dr. Klein worked as a high school environmental systems teacher in Quito, Ecuador for 2 years; a middle school science teacher in San Diego, CA for 3 years; an environmental technician in San Diego for 1.5 year; and an Americorps National Civilian Community Corps volunteer in the Southeast region of the US for 1 year. Dr. Klein’s research and teaching are multi-disciplinary in nature, centering on the technical, economic, environmental and social tradeoffs inherent in sustainable energy decision-making. Dr. Klein is interested in all sustainable energy options but has keen interest in solar energy research, completing her PhD dissertation on the engineering, economic, and environmental tradeoffs associated with using thermal molten salt energy storage and dry cooling in concentrated solar power plants, and more recently, assessing the social and economic benefits and costs of community-based solar initiatives. Dr. Klein and her colleagues have created the first US Community Renewable Energy Database – a central location for sharing information on community-based renewable energy projects: https://www.communityenergyus.net/.

5782 Winslow Hall, Room 305
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469
(207) 581-3174
sharon.klein@maine.edu


Yasmin Yacoby is the Program Manager for Energy Justice issues at the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, Rhode Island’s lead state agency on energy policy and programming. Her role focuses on the equitability and accessibility of Rhode Island’s energy systems, programs, and policies, and she is working to ensure that all Rhode Islanders have access to clean, affordable, and dependable energy. She is working together with members of her department, other state agencies, and community members to strengthen support for low-to-moderate income households and communities of color. Yasmin is a Govern for America Fellow and graduated from Harvard University with Honors in May 2019 with a BA in Environmental Science and Public Policy. She wrote her Honors Senior Thesis on the flaws within the National Environmental Policy Act that lead to and exacerbate environmental injustice in marginalized communities. In her spare time, Yasmin loves to hike, and is a freelance light designer for various theatres in the Boston and Providence area.

RI Office of Energy Resources
1 Capitol Hill, Providence RI
(401) 574-9103
yasmin.yacoby.CTR@energy.ri.gov


Lucy Bullock-Sieger is the Director of Civic Engagement at BlueWave Solar. She leads the Government and Community Affairs strategy at BlueWave. Lucy works closely with industry colleagues, legislators, and administration officials across all BlueWave markets to advocate for sustainable community solar policy. Additionally, she drives BlueWave’s social impact efforts that includes community service, corporate giving, and B Corp Certification. Prior to BlueWave Lucy was the US communications and fundraising lead for an international aid organization. For the last ten years Lucy has focused on energy, land use and public health policy and holds a Masters of Public Administration from Northeastern University.

BlueWave Solar
111 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02199
(803) 606-6364
lbullock-sieger@bluewavesolar.com


Stephen Herbert is a Professor of agriculture and former Associate Dean and Director of the Center for Agriculture, the Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station and UMass Extension at UMass with 40+ years of professional activity in crop production and product evaluation both in the U.S. and in Asia. Currently leads a project evaluating growth of vegetables in partial shade of solar panels.

204 Bowditch Hall
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA 01003
herbert@umass.edu


Abby Barnicle is a Renewable Energy Program Coordinator at the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER). At DOER, Abby helps to implement the Commonwealth’s solar incentive programs, including the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program. Prior to joining DOER, Abby worked as the operations manager for Zapotec Energy Inc., a solar engineering firm in Cambridge, MA. Abby graduated from Stonehill College with a B.A. in English.

MA Department of Energy Resources
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 1020
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 626-7339
abby.barnicle@mass.gov


Dwanye Breger is an Extension Professor in the Department of Environmental Conservation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and serves as the Director of the Clean Energy Extension. The Clean Energy Extension supports state goals to accelerate clean energy markets in Massachusetts through market outreach, technical assistance, and applied research. Dwayne came to UMass in 2015 after 13 years as the Director of the Renewable Energy Division at the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER). At DOER, he was responsible for the state Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), the development of the RPS solar carve-out and solar loan program, the advance of biomass energy policy, and served on the staff working group that designed the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Prior to DOER, he was an Assistant Professor in engineering at Lafayette College, an AAAS/U.S. EPA Environmental Science and Engineering Fellow, a U.S. participant in the International Energy Agency Solar Heating and Cooling Program, and served as a Senior Research Associate at UMass in Mechanical Engineering. Dwayne received his Ph.D. in Resource Economics from UMass Amherst, an M.S. in technology and policy from MIT, and a B.S. degree in engineering from Swarthmore College.

209 Agricultural Engineering Building
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA 01003
(413) 545-8512
dbreger@umass.edu


Zara Dowling is a postdoctoral research fellow with UMass Clean Energy Extension and the American Wind Wildlife Institute.  She works on a variety of projects regarding environmental and wildlife issues associated with development of solar and wind energy, as well as municipal energy efficiency and carbon neutral planning efforts.  She serves on her town Conservation Commission and Energy Committee.

209 Agricultural Engineering Building
University of Massachusetts
250 Natural Resources Way
(413) 545-8516
zdowling@umass.edu

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