top of page
REGISTRATION OPEN! Water: Chemistry, Physics, and Law - Fred Bowers
A Senior College at Belfast presentation.
Thursdays, 10:00-11:00am, April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12
Water constitutes 60% of human body weight. We drink it, swim and bathe in it, fish in it, and rely on it for agriculture. The animals and plants we consume require lots of it. We’ve learned how to take it from rivers and from wells, but we cannot control how the weather delivers it, and we sometimes have disputes with our neighbors and adversaries about it. People learned to dump human and industrial waste into rivers, but In the United States, it took disasters, like burning rivers, pollution, and dead fish, to finally motivate Congress to implement the 1972 Clean Water Act to protect our rivers and estuaries. In this course, we will examine the various chemical, physical, and legal challenges all humans face as we struggle to maintain a healthy supply of water, one of our fundamental needs for survival. We will also discuss water with respect to climate change.
Fred Bowers holds a Ph.D. in Forest Soils from the University of Washington in Seattle. His research work in the Tongass National Forest in Alaska necessitated understanding soil science, geology, mineralogy, chemistry, and forest ecology. Prior to that, he earned an M.S. in agronomy and soil pedology from Rutgers University. After 27 years working as a Research Scientist for the New Jersey DEP, he retired and moved to Belfast. He has taught several Senior College courses regarding soils, geology, watersheds, and landscapes of the Belfast area.
Thursdays, 10:00-11:00am, April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12
Water constitutes 60% of human body weight. We drink it, swim and bathe in it, fish in it, and rely on it for agriculture. The animals and plants we consume require lots of it. We’ve learned how to take it from rivers and from wells, but we cannot control how the weather delivers it, and we sometimes have disputes with our neighbors and adversaries about it. People learned to dump human and industrial waste into rivers, but In the United States, it took disasters, like burning rivers, pollution, and dead fish, to finally motivate Congress to implement the 1972 Clean Water Act to protect our rivers and estuaries. In this course, we will examine the various chemical, physical, and legal challenges all humans face as we struggle to maintain a healthy supply of water, one of our fundamental needs for survival. We will also discuss water with respect to climate change.
Fred Bowers holds a Ph.D. in Forest Soils from the University of Washington in Seattle. His research work in the Tongass National Forest in Alaska necessitated understanding soil science, geology, mineralogy, chemistry, and forest ecology. Prior to that, he earned an M.S. in agronomy and soil pedology from Rutgers University. After 27 years working as a Research Scientist for the New Jersey DEP, he retired and moved to Belfast. He has taught several Senior College courses regarding soils, geology, watersheds, and landscapes of the Belfast area.
March 30 - Free Presentation - Marine Mammals of Maine
A USM Lewiston-Auburn Senior College Presentation:
Lynda Doughty is happy to talk with us about the work of MMoME, the fast-growing non-profit organization dedicated to marine mammal and sea turtle response, rescue, care, research and education since 2011. She is the founding Executive Director.
Born and raised in Maine, Lynda always knew she wanted to work with helping marine mammals. She has provided care for thousands of them, has opened Maine’s first seal triage center, and looks forward to providing more for marine mammals in Maine in the future.
Her work has involved conducting whale necropsies, disentanglement, population studies, marine debris projects and sterning on lobster boats. Lynda was recognized by Portland Press Herald in 2014, as one of 10 Mainers to be thankful for.
To attend, email us at laseniorcollege@gmail.com by noon on March 29. Please include your name and the name of the program for which you are registering. We will send you an email with the link on the morning of the event.
Lynda Doughty is happy to talk with us about the work of MMoME, the fast-growing non-profit organization dedicated to marine mammal and sea turtle response, rescue, care, research and education since 2011. She is the founding Executive Director.
Born and raised in Maine, Lynda always knew she wanted to work with helping marine mammals. She has provided care for thousands of them, has opened Maine’s first seal triage center, and looks forward to providing more for marine mammals in Maine in the future.
Her work has involved conducting whale necropsies, disentanglement, population studies, marine debris projects and sterning on lobster boats. Lynda was recognized by Portland Press Herald in 2014, as one of 10 Mainers to be thankful for.
To attend, email us at laseniorcollege@gmail.com by noon on March 29. Please include your name and the name of the program for which you are registering. We will send you an email with the link on the morning of the event.
March 28 - Glaciers and Sea Level Rise.
Presented by Penobscot Valley Senior College.
Session 2: "Climate Change: Problems, Solutions, Progress – Mainers Working Together"
Glaciers and Sea Level Rise This session will provide a basic overview of the global water cycle and how it is related to glaciers and sea-level rise, particularly the impacts of glacier changes on projected sea level rise, areas of uncertainty, and predicted impacts on Maine coastlines. There will be opportunities for interactive engagement throughout our session, with a space for discussion in breakout rooms at the beginning and end.
Presenters: Inga Kindsedt, Kailey Mannello, Mo Weitman, Emma Erwin Inga Kinstedt, Kailey Mannello, and Emma Erwin are graduate students in the University of Maine’s School of Earth and Climate Sciences; Mo Weitman is a recent graduate of this program. Their research areas focus on the various impacts of climate on glaciers around the world.
Image by Viktor Jakovlev
Glaciers and Sea Level Rise This session will provide a basic overview of the global water cycle and how it is related to glaciers and sea-level rise, particularly the impacts of glacier changes on projected sea level rise, areas of uncertainty, and predicted impacts on Maine coastlines. There will be opportunities for interactive engagement throughout our session, with a space for discussion in breakout rooms at the beginning and end.
Presenters: Inga Kindsedt, Kailey Mannello, Mo Weitman, Emma Erwin Inga Kinstedt, Kailey Mannello, and Emma Erwin are graduate students in the University of Maine’s School of Earth and Climate Sciences; Mo Weitman is a recent graduate of this program. Their research areas focus on the various impacts of climate on glaciers around the world.
Image by Viktor Jakovlev
March 21 - Long-term Climate Change Provides Surprising Clues about the Future.
Presented by Penobscot Valley Senior College.
Session 1: "Climate Change: Problems, Solutions, Progress – Mainers Working Together"
Long-term Climate Change Provides Surprising Clues about the Future Earth’s climate is constantly changing. Understanding natural, long-term climate change provides important insights about the future and about the changes brought about by human activities. This presentation surveys the impacts of ice ages on Maine’s forests, lakes, and streams that were shaped by the interactions of the flowing ice, topography, and the regional geology as well as on vegetation on the deglaciated landscapes.
Presenters: George L. Jacobson and Stephen A. Norton Prof. George Jacobson has been on the faculty of the UM School of Biology and Ecology, and the Climate Change Institute (CCI) since 1979 and was Director of CCI for a decade. His research has involved long-term climate change and how climate and vegetation have interacted. Prof. Stephen Norton has served on the UM faculty of Earth Sciences (now Earth & Climate Science) since 1968. His research in the field of aquatic geochemistry involves the interactions of water, humans, and geology, particularly the geochemistry of water in rivers, lakes, and soils, and the chemistry of lake sediment.
Download PDF showing the PVSC series
Image by Kalen Emsley
Long-term Climate Change Provides Surprising Clues about the Future Earth’s climate is constantly changing. Understanding natural, long-term climate change provides important insights about the future and about the changes brought about by human activities. This presentation surveys the impacts of ice ages on Maine’s forests, lakes, and streams that were shaped by the interactions of the flowing ice, topography, and the regional geology as well as on vegetation on the deglaciated landscapes.
Presenters: George L. Jacobson and Stephen A. Norton Prof. George Jacobson has been on the faculty of the UM School of Biology and Ecology, and the Climate Change Institute (CCI) since 1979 and was Director of CCI for a decade. His research has involved long-term climate change and how climate and vegetation have interacted. Prof. Stephen Norton has served on the UM faculty of Earth Sciences (now Earth & Climate Science) since 1968. His research in the field of aquatic geochemistry involves the interactions of water, humans, and geology, particularly the geochemistry of water in rivers, lakes, and soils, and the chemistry of lake sediment.
Download PDF showing the PVSC series
Image by Kalen Emsley
Ongoing Series: "Climate Change: Problems, Solutions, Progress – Mainers Working Together"
A Penobscot Valley Senior College Presention.
Mondays, March 21 – May 16, 2022 1:30 – 3:30 PM
Presented on Zoom
Are you tired of hearing endless sound bites about the world's climate change puzzle?
Penobscot Valley Senior College has drawn together leading professors, subject matter experts, and public sector leaders in Maine to help you get a good overall understanding of the crisis as well as hearing solutions and receiving guidance on what you can do to support the effort!
"Climate Change: Problems, Solutions, and Progress - Mainers Working Together."
In the sessions, we will explore:
Some of the science being relied on that demonstrates the need for action now.
Goals we must achieve to meet our climate targets, and
The likely impacts if we fail to reach these targets
A look at current and pending legislation,
Strategic planning is critical to our success, and
Economic considerations that we must weigh up as we move forward.
This timely course should have something for everyone to learn more about the many effects of Climate Change. PVSC's Vice President, Bill Fackenthall, and dedicated Curriculum Committee member Nancy Rampe, along with other curriculum members, have accomplished an amazing task in finding such notable presenters.
For the tuition cost of $30.00, PVSC's usual course fee, you will have access to nine sessions presented by twenty experts in this field!
This course is open to all current members of PVSC and other Maine Senior College Network Members.
Each presentation will be recorded, and a link to it will be sent to all registered participants shortly after each session ends. (The recordings will be available for viewing two weeks after each session.)
Registration for MSCN members:
Contact Sheila Krautkremer at PVSC (the fee will be adjusted for members of sister senior colleges before registering).
Phone: 207-659-1359 or send her an email.
Members of sister senior colleges need to provide the following information:
name,
email,
phone, and
name of your college
Download a PDF (link below)
"Climate Change: Problems, Solutions, and Progress - Mainers Working Together." Full sessions descriptions and presenter bios.
Mondays, March 21 – May 16, 2022 1:30 – 3:30 PM
Presented on Zoom
Are you tired of hearing endless sound bites about the world's climate change puzzle?
Penobscot Valley Senior College has drawn together leading professors, subject matter experts, and public sector leaders in Maine to help you get a good overall understanding of the crisis as well as hearing solutions and receiving guidance on what you can do to support the effort!
"Climate Change: Problems, Solutions, and Progress - Mainers Working Together."
In the sessions, we will explore:
Some of the science being relied on that demonstrates the need for action now.
Goals we must achieve to meet our climate targets, and
The likely impacts if we fail to reach these targets
A look at current and pending legislation,
Strategic planning is critical to our success, and
Economic considerations that we must weigh up as we move forward.
This timely course should have something for everyone to learn more about the many effects of Climate Change. PVSC's Vice President, Bill Fackenthall, and dedicated Curriculum Committee member Nancy Rampe, along with other curriculum members, have accomplished an amazing task in finding such notable presenters.
For the tuition cost of $30.00, PVSC's usual course fee, you will have access to nine sessions presented by twenty experts in this field!
This course is open to all current members of PVSC and other Maine Senior College Network Members.
Each presentation will be recorded, and a link to it will be sent to all registered participants shortly after each session ends. (The recordings will be available for viewing two weeks after each session.)
Registration for MSCN members:
Contact Sheila Krautkremer at PVSC (the fee will be adjusted for members of sister senior colleges before registering).
Phone: 207-659-1359 or send her an email.
Members of sister senior colleges need to provide the following information:
name,
email,
phone, and
name of your college
Download a PDF (link below)
"Climate Change: Problems, Solutions, and Progress - Mainers Working Together." Full sessions descriptions and presenter bios.
Current Class: The Journey from Climate Doom to Active Hope - Thomas White
An OLLI at USM presentation.
WED, 3/16 – 5/4 • 12:45 – 2:45 P.M. • $50
Class description
When you think about climate change and environmental degradation, do you experience feelings of sadness, helplessness, or anger? Do you want to leave these negative thoughts and feelings behind and take a thought-provoking journey to “active hope?” In this discussion-oriented class, you will explore the ideas of scientists, social scientists, and philosophers who have shown us how we could create a more hopeful story for ourselves.
Discussion with classmates
will consider this question: How can I become more active — and hopeful — in protecting the Earth and ensuring the well-being of future generations? Class format will include online lectures and discussions.
SUGGESTED BOOKS:
Great Tide Rising: Towards Clarity and Courage in a Time of Planetary Change, Katherine Dean Moore,
ISBN 9781619027565 (e-book);
The New Climate War: The Fight to Take Back Our Planet, Michael E. Mann, ISBN 9781541758223 (e-book)
Thomas G. White has a PhD in developmental psychology from Stony Brook University and has taught at Gettysburg College and the Osher Institute of Lifelong Learning at the College of William and Mary. He is a summer resident of East Boothbay, Maine who draws deep inspiration from Rachel Carson’s books.
FMI: Write to olliatusm@maine.edu or call the OLLI office and leave a message at 207-780-4406.
Link to OLLI at USM below.
WED, 3/16 – 5/4 • 12:45 – 2:45 P.M. • $50
Class description
When you think about climate change and environmental degradation, do you experience feelings of sadness, helplessness, or anger? Do you want to leave these negative thoughts and feelings behind and take a thought-provoking journey to “active hope?” In this discussion-oriented class, you will explore the ideas of scientists, social scientists, and philosophers who have shown us how we could create a more hopeful story for ourselves.
Discussion with classmates
will consider this question: How can I become more active — and hopeful — in protecting the Earth and ensuring the well-being of future generations? Class format will include online lectures and discussions.
SUGGESTED BOOKS:
Great Tide Rising: Towards Clarity and Courage in a Time of Planetary Change, Katherine Dean Moore,
ISBN 9781619027565 (e-book);
The New Climate War: The Fight to Take Back Our Planet, Michael E. Mann, ISBN 9781541758223 (e-book)
Thomas G. White has a PhD in developmental psychology from Stony Brook University and has taught at Gettysburg College and the Osher Institute of Lifelong Learning at the College of William and Mary. He is a summer resident of East Boothbay, Maine who draws deep inspiration from Rachel Carson’s books.
FMI: Write to olliatusm@maine.edu or call the OLLI office and leave a message at 207-780-4406.
Link to OLLI at USM below.
AC/DC: Electric Vehicle Charging around MDI
An Acadia SC presentation
(Event closed - held on February 18, 2022.)
Gordon Beck gave a brief overview of the growth of electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure on and around Mount Desert Island followed by a discussion of the myths around EVs in Maine, the pros and cons of EV ownership and operation, and the state of the EV charging infrastructure in Maine.
Gordon Beck manages the EV Infrastructure program for A Climate to Thrive (ACTT). Link to ACTT below!
(Event closed - held on February 18, 2022.)
Gordon Beck gave a brief overview of the growth of electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure on and around Mount Desert Island followed by a discussion of the myths around EVs in Maine, the pros and cons of EV ownership and operation, and the state of the EV charging infrastructure in Maine.
Gordon Beck manages the EV Infrastructure program for A Climate to Thrive (ACTT). Link to ACTT below!
Maine Lake Health
Note: Warmer water and more storms are not good for lake health but we can do something to help protect our waters from these changes. By leaving undisturbed natural areas and vegetation along the shoreline of our lakes, ponds, streams and wetlands, the water coming into these systems will remain cooler and cleaner.
For more information visit Visit the Lakes Environmental Association (L.E.A) webpage Climate Change and Our Lakes for more information.
Image by Kevin Crosby (Unsplashed)
For more information visit Visit the Lakes Environmental Association (L.E.A) webpage Climate Change and Our Lakes for more information.
Image by Kevin Crosby (Unsplashed)
The Gulf of Maine
Note: The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 99 percent of the world’s oceans. As it warms and loses its subarctic characteristics, some species are moving northward and disappearing from traditional fishing grounds, while temperate species from the south invade.
Maine Climate Science Dashboard
Image by Thomas Dewey
Maine Climate Science Dashboard
Image by Thomas Dewey
Spiritual Leadership for a Climate Changed World
A USM Lewiston-Auburn SC presentation.
(Event over)
Reverend Ewing-Merrill will engage us in a conversation about the spiritual roots of the climate crisis - and the work The BTS Center is doing to advance a spiritual response.
The Reverend serves as Executive Director of The BTS Center in Portland which seeks to catalyze spiritual imagination, with enduring wisdom, for transformative faith leadership. Originally from Midcoast Maine, Allen is a graduate of the University of Maine and of Boston University School of Theology, and he is continuing his studies in a Doctor of Ministry program through Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. He has not only served as a pastor for over 20 years but has extended his work to include experience in advocacy, direct action, and faith-based organizing around issues of social justice. A favorite quote he often uses comes from environmentalist Gus Speth: "The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed, and apathy.”
Date of event:
Friday March 11, 2022, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Link to the
(Event over)
Reverend Ewing-Merrill will engage us in a conversation about the spiritual roots of the climate crisis - and the work The BTS Center is doing to advance a spiritual response.
The Reverend serves as Executive Director of The BTS Center in Portland which seeks to catalyze spiritual imagination, with enduring wisdom, for transformative faith leadership. Originally from Midcoast Maine, Allen is a graduate of the University of Maine and of Boston University School of Theology, and he is continuing his studies in a Doctor of Ministry program through Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. He has not only served as a pastor for over 20 years but has extended his work to include experience in advocacy, direct action, and faith-based organizing around issues of social justice. A favorite quote he often uses comes from environmentalist Gus Speth: "The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed, and apathy.”
Date of event:
Friday March 11, 2022, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Link to the
What are Climate Change Conversations?
The Maine Senior College Network recently launched an initiative called Climate Change Conversations. Colleges across the network will be offering talks and classes that touch upon different aspects of climate change. We will look at how it affects us personally, as Mainers, Americans, and world citizens.
Our What's Happening? page will add the image above to flag offerings that contribute to this ongoing conversation.
The little bird in the graphic is reminiscent of vulnerable birds such as the Piping Plover found on Maine's beaches. And, we have some good news to share regarding this tiny bird with very busy legs. Take a look at Channel 13's short news item for more information "Piping plovers have record year in Maine." (September 15th, 2021)
So, stay tuned for some thoughtful presentations from the colleges. The scale of climate change feels overwhelming, but there are many actions we can take, even if it is only to watch where we are walking on Maine's beautiful beaches.
Our What's Happening? page will add the image above to flag offerings that contribute to this ongoing conversation.
The little bird in the graphic is reminiscent of vulnerable birds such as the Piping Plover found on Maine's beaches. And, we have some good news to share regarding this tiny bird with very busy legs. Take a look at Channel 13's short news item for more information "Piping plovers have record year in Maine." (September 15th, 2021)
So, stay tuned for some thoughtful presentations from the colleges. The scale of climate change feels overwhelming, but there are many actions we can take, even if it is only to watch where we are walking on Maine's beautiful beaches.
Endangered Piping Plover
Note: Summer visitors to southern Maine beaches have a good opportunity to see piping plovers. Signs, fenced sections of beach, and nest exclosures identify areas of the beach that are being managed for nesting piping plovers.
By giving the birds space and following a few rules of beach etiquette, we can share the beach with this endangered species.
By giving the birds space and following a few rules of beach etiquette, we can share the beach with this endangered species.
bottom of page