This October, Paul Smith’s College and The Adirondack Research Consortium (ARC) are hosting a series of four “Ask An Expert” panel discussions focused on key environmental, cultural and policy issues facing the Adirondack region and its communities.

The four webinars, hosted via Zoom and free/open to the public, will feature both physical and social science experts discussing a wide variety of subjects, from road salt and aquatic invasive species to history through the lenses of indigenous peoples, slaves and women. Questions for any of the panels can be sent in advance to adkresearchconsortium@gmail.com.

Oct. 9: Science Based Policy
Moderator: Michale Glennon, Paul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed Institute (AWI)
Panelists: Kim Elliman, CEO, Open Space Institute; Jessica Ottney Mahar, New York Director of Policy and Strategy, The Nature Conservancy

Oct. 16: Current Stressors to Adirondack Waters
Moderator: Dan Kelting, Executive Director, AWI
Panelists: Brendan Wiltse, AWI; Erin Vennie-Vollrath, The Nature Conservancy, Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program; Chris Navitsky, Lake George Waterkeeper

Oct. 23: Cultural Geography of the Adirondacks
Moderator: Joe Henderson, Environmental and Society Department, Paul Smith’s College
Panelists: Jacqueline Madison, President, North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association; Melissa Otis, author of “Rural Indigenousness: A History of Iroquoian and Algonquian Peoples of the Adirondacks”; Peggy Lynn, singer/songwriter, co-author of “Breaking Trail: Remarkable Women of the Adirondacks”; Adam Dewbury, Adirondack North Country Association

Oct. 30: Forest Carbon Programs
Moderator: Jeff Denkenberger, Molpus Woodlands Group
Panelists pending

“We hope these webinars can generate discussions with a broad audience about critical environmental issues facing the Adirondacks, and also the world,” said ARC President and Paul Smith’s professor Melanie Johnson. “We are seeking to support our fellow educators in the region by providing relevant content and give students an opportunity to interact with a wide variety of experts in a comfortable setting.”

Each panel will begin at 10 a.m. and while free to attend, registration is required: https://bit.ly/36od9Ni

Audience members may support the event by making a tax-deductible donation at: http://www.adkresearch.org/contact/donation.asp.