Environmental Science students conduct workshop at land conservation conference

UNE students Jessica Szetela and Roxanne James with keynote speaker Majora Carter (Middle)
UNE students Jessica Szetela and Roxanne James with keynote speaker Majora Carter (Middle)

Jessica Szetela (Environmental Science, ’19) and Roxanne James (Environmental Science, ’19), along with Pam Morgan, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Environmental Studies, recently conducted a workshop at the Maine Land Conservation Conference in Topsham, Maine.

The goal of the conference was to provide training on best practices in all aspects of land trust work, connect attendees with peers and grapple with the most pressing issues facing land conservation today.

The UNE team’s workshop, titled, "Lo-cost Hi-impact Practices for Stellar Community-Based Stewardship Collaborations," was focused on a research project designed to bring alternative energy to Goat Island off the coast of Kennebunkport.

Students from UNE and Kennebunk High School teamed up for the project to determine if nature can provide enough energy to power a lighthouse and a historic home on the island.

The students traveled to Goat Island to deploy instruments built at UNE. The instruments measure solar, wind and tidal energy possibilities.

During the workshop, Szetela and James had the opportunity to meet with keynote speaker, Majora Carter, a pioneer for sustainable economic development in low status communities.

Instructor Pam Morgan and students install a monitor to collect wind data on Goat Island
Instructor Pam Morgan and students install a monitor to collect wind data on Goat Island