Coastal Resiliency Symposium

A King Tide previews sea level rise at Toledo. Photo by John Bauer.

Registration is open for a free public symposium, “Coastal Resiliency in the Face of Environmental Change,” taking place 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 7, at the University of Oregon School of Law (1515 Agate St.), Room 175, Auditorium Hall.  Participants are invited to begin gathering at 8 a.m. for a continental breakfast; a reception follows the conclusion of the event at 4:30.

Co-hosted by Oregon Sea Grant and the University of Oregon Environment and Natural Resources Law Center, the symposium addresses the question, “Are current laws and policies flexible for a changing world?”  The primary goal is to bring together law and policy experts, scientists, practitioners, and managers to present and discuss issues related to changing environmental conditions, such as ocean acidification, sea level rise, and other climate stressors, their impact on natural resources, coastal infrastructure, and energy development, all through a legal and policy lens.  Members of the public can also attend.

Lincoln County Commissioner Terry Thompson will deliver the keynote talk, and Kathie Dello, Associate Director of the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute, will lead off with an overview of environmental changes anticipated for Oregon.  Panels will address such topics as ocean acidification, sea level rise and its potential effects on infrastructure, and renewable and non-renewable energy.  Oregon Shores board member Bob Bailey was one of the conference’s planners.

This symposium is free for all participants, lunch and refreshments will be provided.  Space is limited; pre-registration by April 3 is encouraged.  Go to http://coastresiliency.org/ for more information or to register.