Maritime Water Resources Symposium:
Watershed Health, Planning and Management

August 21-23, 2008

THE SYMPOSIUM is aimed at those with an active interest in the sustainable management, protection, monitoring, research, development and regulation of watersheds and water resources in Eastern Maritime Canada. There will be one day of oral presentations dealing with Maritime Canadian topics followed by a day of breakout sessions aimed at discussing current water resources topics within the Atlantic Canada context. Information gathered and lessons learned at the symposium will aid the Province of Nova Scotia in developing a Provincial Water Strategy, and assist the Nova Scotia Community College in focusing its watershed research towards the needs of Atlantic Canada communities and businesses.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Keyonte speakers will provide international and national perspectives on water resources policy and management. Our opening Keynote Speaker is Dr. Gordon Young, a highly respected water resources researcher since 1968 and presently the President-elect of the Int. Assoc. of Hydrological Sciences. Gordon has taken a leading role in several international initiatives, and will provide the global perspective from his most recent position as Co-ordinator, United Nations World Water Assessment Programme.

Our second keynote speaker is Sonya Meek, the National President of the Canadian Water Resources Association and Manager of the Watershed Planning Group in the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority's Ecology Division. Sonya will present on the CWRA collaborative initiative that has led to recommendations for the development and implementation of a National Water Strategy for Canada. The two keynote papers will be followed by presentations from leading figures in the Nova Scotia water resources community detailing current Provincial, Municipal and Community-based efforts to improve policy, management and development practices within the region.

Symposium Topics:

1. Atlantic Canada Water Strategies
2. Government Regulations for Sustainable Watershed Development
3. Watershed Remediation, Restoration, and Recreation
4. Emerging and Advanced Technologies for Watershed Management/li>
5. Data Management and Planning at the Watershed scale
6. Municipal and Rural Impacts on Water Quality

BREAK OUT SESSIONS on Day 2 will encompass the following areas of interest:

1. Watershed monitoring technology and innovation
2. Watershed data management and access
3. Stewardship, education and outreach
4. Policy, planning and management in Atlantic Canada

CALL FOR PAPERS and POSTERS

Oral presentations will be 20 minutes in duration (15 minutes presentation—5 minutes questions). Poster presentations will be on display in the conference foyer for the duration of the conference. Laptop and LCD projectors will be provided. When submitting your abstract, please specify your preference for either a poster or oral presentation.

Deadline for Abstract Submission is June 17th, 2008. Abstracts can be no longer than 300 words and must be accompanied by a short biographical sketch of no more than 100 words. Please submit your abstract directly to Dr Chris Hopkinson (CWRA Nova Scotia Branch President) by email: Chris.Hopkinson@nscc.ca. Presenters will be notified by July 11th, 2008.

BEST PAPER AND POSTER PRIZE

Prizes of $200 plus a special gift will be awarded for both the best poster and the best paper submitted and presented by a student or young professional. The two awards will be presented at the Banquet.

Students and young professionals (within 5 years of graduation) are eligible to submit a short paper (in addition to an abstract) on the topic of their presentation. Papers must be original work and should not exceed four pages in length. The general paper format will follow the presentation guidelines of the Canadian Water Resources Journal. Best paper submissions to be sent by email to Larry Bell (symposium committee chair): lbell@water-associates.com

Anyone presenting a poster presentation will be eligible for the Best Poster Award.

VENUE AND ACCOMMODATIONS

The symposium will be held at the new Nova Scotia Community College, Waterfront Campus in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. This recently completed campus looks out over the spectacular Halifax Harbour and incorporates many ‘green’ environmental and sustainable technologies in its modern construction.

NSCC Waterfront Campus,
80 Mawiomi Place
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0A5
http://www.nscc.ca/about_nscc/locations/waterfront.asp

There are several hotels, bed and breakfasts, and motels within close proximity of the symposium venue. A listing of some local hotels is available here. While there are several hotels in the area, the official symposium accommodation is the Ramada Park Place Hotel and Conference Centre, 240 Brownlow Ave., Dartmouth, B3B 1X6 (www.ramadans.com). Please contact Rosemary Matos, Tel. 902-468-8888, Toll Free 800-561-3733, or email matos@ramadans.com to make a booking. The symposium rate $119 per night.

There are several hotels, bed and breakfasts, and motels within close proximity of the symposium venue. A detailed listing will be available on the web site shortly.

SOCIAL EVENTS

We have an exciting social calendar planned for the symposium so don’t miss out on these opportunities to meet and network with.

Historical pubs of Halifax tour:

Thursday 21st August 7pm – a guided tour of the world famous pubs of Halifax provided by regional hydrologist, Doug Stiff (no charge)

Field trip to Annapolis Valley vineyard and a “hike over the dyke”:

Saturday 23rd August. Come join us for an interpretive walk of the beautiful Sackville Rivers Trails. Accompanied by SRA's Botanist, plus Audobon's Representative. Leaving hotel at 9:30, transportation available. Three hour excursion(incld. transportation). Price $10.00.

REGISTRATION AND COSTS

Online Registration is now available: https://www.cwra.org/services/NSSymposium/NSSymposiumRegistration.aspx

Optional Items:

• Field trip to Annapolis Valley vineyard and a “hike over the dyke” - $30
• Sackville River Trails - $10

All costs are subject to HST (13%).

Printable Flyer

Click here for a PDF version for this symposium.

*Photo reproduced with permission from Paul Illsley