Endocrine disruptors, agricultural water use and Asian carp topics at Minnesota Water Resources Conference Oct. 18-19

Endocrine disruptors and wildlife, Asian carp in Minnesota and what farmers can do to improve water quality are topics of the Minnesota Water Resources Conference, a two-day event hosted by the University of Minnesota Water Resources Center (WRC) Oct. 18 and 19 at the St. Paul RiverCentre, 175 West Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul.

The state’s largest annual gathering of water professionals and policy makers, the conference will showcase a range of water-related information, from the latest research to practical solutions to storm water and agricultural run off, aquatic wildlife management and ecosystem health.

This year’s breakout sessions include presentations on climate change on Lake Superior, managing water quality near the Interstate 35/Hwy. 62 reconstruction and the Coon Rapids Dam’s effect on stopping Asian carp.

Keynote speakers include:
• Beverly Durgan, dean of U of M Extension and university professor of agronomy and plant genetics, on “University Extension and Water Resources: New Opportunities for Education and Sustainable Management in Minnesota"
• Gerald Ankley, atoxicologist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and adjunct professor in the university’s Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology and frequently cited environmental expert, on “Assessing Risks of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: A Scientific Odyssey"
• Paul Torkelson, farmer and member of the Minnesota House of Representatives representing District 21B, on “Legislative Update: Agricultural and Water Issues"
• Don Baloun, Minnesota state conservationist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, on “Agricultural Water Management: What Can Farmers Do to Maintain Good Water Quality and Still Do Agricultural Water Management"

The event is sponsored by the WRC and the university’s College of Continuing Education and co-sponsored by the College of Science and Engineering’s Department of Civil Engineering, the Minnesota Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Minnesota Sea Grant and the Natural Resources Research Institute. For registration details, visit wrc.umn.edu or call the College of Continuing Education’s helpline at (612) 625-2900.

The Water Resources Center is affiliated with the university’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and University of Minnesota Extension.

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• Last modified on October 5, 2011