The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, together with The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, will host a large public forum on May 6, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., where a panel of scientists will discuss “Global Warming in the Delaware Valley.”

This town hall-style meeting is one of many installments in the Academy’s “Town Square” series, which is taking place at the museum’s headquarters near Logan Square on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

“The goal of this program is to discuss what we now know about climate change in our region, and what we need to know going forward,” said Dr. Danielle Kreeger, science director at the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. “As scientists, we really want to hear what people believe our course of action should be once enlightened with the latest information.”

Prior to the evening’s discussion, scientists will be joined by policy makers and resource managers, among others, for a day-long technical workshop. The goal of this earlier gathering is to compare data on climate change in a way that allows professionals to move forward in a concerted, regional approach to natural resource restoration and protection. The results of the workshop will be presented during the evening’s Town Square meeting in an effort to gather public input.

“This is a much needed information exchange and discussion for scientists, resource managers and the public on a very important topic,” said Dr. David Velinsky, an environmental biogeochemist and vice president of the Patrick Center for Environmental Research at the Academy. “The outcomes of this forum will be used to advise environmental leaders regarding the ways they can adapt to the local aspects of climate change we expect to see in the next 10 to 30 years.”

“Town Square” is made possible thanks to the financial assistance of the Claneil Foundation and the Environmental Associates of The Academy of Natural Sciences.

For more information, please visit the Global Warming in the Delaware Valley event webpage.

4/25/2008