[SEMCO] Waquoit Bay Reserve programs postponed until Thursday, February 3

[Muller, Joan (DCR)]

Due to the inclement weather, the Waquoit Bay Reserve has postponed two programs scheduled for today until Thursday, Feb. 3.
3pm: Becoming a Green Community: Help on the Efficient Vehicle Requirement
7pm: Getting There: Bikes, Buses, Biofuels, and Beyond!


Decision-Maker Seminar - Becoming a Green Community: Help on the Efficient Vehicle Requirement

Through the Green Communities Program administered by the state Department of Energy Resources (DOER), municipalities in Massachusetts can work toward becoming designated as green communities.  The program lays out five criteria related to energy consumption, renewable energy use and economic development in the clean energy sector that communities must meet to earn this qualification.  Criterion 4 addresses transportation and is aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions through the use of more fuel-efficient vehicles.  In this seminar, Stephen Russell, Alternative Transportation Program Coordinator and Clean Cities Director for the State of MA, DOER will discuss the state's requirements related to this criterion and point out resources that are available to help meet them.  He will also discuss the work the state is doing with respect to alternative vehicles and fuel and its implications for municipalities.  In addition, Seth Pickering, Southeast Regional Coordinator for the Green Communities Program, will be on hand to answer questions.  The target audience for this seminar is energy committee members and other municipal decision-makers. This program will be held at Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve on Thursday, February 3 from 3-4:30 pm.
This program is free.  For more information go to www.waquoitbayreserve.org<http://www.waquoitbayreserve.org> or contact Tonna-Marie Rogers at 508-457-0495 x110.

Getting There: Bikes, Buses, Biofuels, and Beyond!
Waquoit Bay Reserve continues its monthly forums at the Visitor Center by focusing on transportation advances with, "Getting There: Bikes, Buses, Biofuels, and Beyond!"  This month's workshop will take place on Thursday, February 3 from 7-9 pm (rescheduled from Feb. 1) at the Reserve Visitor Center on Route 28 in Waquoit, East Falmouth.

Stephen Russell, Alternative Transportation Program Coordinator/Clean Cities Director for the State of MA Department of Energy Resources, will introduce people to the newest developments in plug in vehicles and how they work. Clay Schofield, Transportation Engineer at the Cape Cod Commission will focus on efforts by the Cape Cod Commission and others to promote alternatives to, and efficient use of, fossil fuels for transportation including renewable fuels, Intelligent Transportation Systems and bicycle and pedestrian initiatives.  Mr. Schofield grew up on Cape Cod and has been working in the transportation field for 32 years. Paula George, Deputy Administrator of the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA), will give an update on the latest initiatives of the CCRTA in relation to public transit on the Cape. Those attending this session will learn how to reduce their "VMT" (Vehicle Miles Traveled).
Scott Lindell, Marine Resources Manager and Director, Scientific Aquaculture Program at the
Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole will talk about the promise of creating second generation biofuels from algae.  Topics covered will include the advantages of growing algae versus other plants, and the means by which this could be done economically some day.  Lindell will also talk about the potential for using wastewater as nutrients to grow the algae.

This program is part of the series: "Reduce Your Nitrogen Footprint: First Tuesdays at Waquoit Bay Reserve Visitor Center". Each month, a different action that can help to preserve our coastal waters for ourselves and our children is considered. Nationally, motor vehicles are the single largest source of nitrogen emissions. Too much nitrogen entering our water results in polluted coastal bays by fertilizing the seaweed which chokes out the native grasses, an important habitat for the fish and shell fish we eat.  Reserve staff will introduce the talks with information on how the reserve is modeling the chosen behavior as well as research going on at Waquoit Bay that shows the connections between actions on land and effects on water. This week, reserve staff will highlight the research of Neil Bettez who studied nitrogen deposition near roadways.  The talks are followed by discussion time where participants can ask questions as well as share their own solutions and experiences. People are also invited to come fifteen minutes early for light snacks and to view visitor center exhibits.
The program is free and open to all. Reasonable accommodations (including sign language or Portuguese interpreter) are available upon request. Registration is appreciated but not required. For more information and a downloadable complete schedule of the monthly forums as well as on-line registration, please go to www.waquoitbayreserve.org<http://www.waquoitbayreserve.org>. You can also call 508-457-0495 x107 for further questions or suggestions.

Joan Muller
Education Coordinator
Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
149 Waquoit Hwy.
Box 3092
Waquoit, MA 02536
508-457-0495 x107
www.waquoitbayreserve.org

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