2021 VT EPSCoR All Hands Meeting
 
Vermont EPSCoR celebrated water quality research in the Lake Champlain Basin through the Research on Adaptation to Climate Change (RACC) and Basin Resilience to Extreme Events (BREE) with an exciting All Hands Meeting on August 9, 2021 at the University of Vermont (UVM) Davis Center. Over 70 participants attended observing pandemic guidelines, including stakeholders, alumni, graduate students, post-doctoral associates, members of the BREE External Advisory Committee, and members of Vermont EPSCoR's Policy and Technical Advisory Committee.
 
The day began with introductory remarks from Project Director Arne Bomblies, Associate Project Director Christopher Koliba, and UVM President Suresh Garimella.
 
Researchers from both RACC and BREE showcased the impacts of their Vermont EPSCoR research and how it has led to further advancements. The day saw a total of 23 presentations from former and current RACC and BREE participants.
 
Keynote speaker and External Advisory Committee member Russell Moll, former Director of the California and Michigan Sea Grants, provided a presentation titled “A Look at Vermont EPSCoR from an Outside Perpsective” which highlighted VT EPSCoR's multidisciplinary and statewide strengths. The keynote presentation was followed by a recorded video message from the Honorable Patrick Leahy, US Senator from Vermont.
 
The afternoon saw a panel discussion on the state of water science in Vermont. The panel included Julie Moore, Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Neil Kamman, Director of Vermont's Water Investment Division, Lori Fisher, Executive Director of the Lake Champlain Committee, Eric Howe, Director of the Lake Champlain Basin Program, Breck Bowden, Director of the Vermont Sea Grant, Asim Zia, Co-Leader of the Bree Integrated Assessment Management Team, Andrew Schroth, Co-Leader of the BREE Ecological Systems Team, and Beverly Wemple, Professor and Chair of Geography at UVM. Christopher Koliba moderated the panel discussion.
 
After the panel, the day resumed with short presentations that focused on the broader impacts of the projects. This included discussion of baccalaureate institutions and educational impacts, undergraduate and high school highlights, alumni testimonials, private sector highlights, and cyberinfrastructure investments in the state of Vermont.
 
Finally, the CWDD program awarded seven scholarships to Native American, BIPOC, and first generation students pursuing a degree in STEM. Lindsay Kurrle, Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, presented these awards.
 
The meeting concluded with a presentation by Kirk Dombrowski, UVM Vice President for Research, on the future of the Vermont EPSCoR program and of water science in Vermont. A reception followed, allowing attendees to network.