Publisher’s Perspective

By Tim Douglas, Publisher

Senior College, a lecture series put on by the Alexandria Technical and Community College, last week announced that it will be hosting a virtual lecture series that explores water quality challenges and conservation efforts.

The lecture series begins on Tuesday, Jan. 21 and all sessions are live via Zoom.  There is a charge to participate.

Known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” for good reason, Minnesota’s vast network of freshwater resources is essential for drinking water, agriculture, recreation, and biodiversity.

According to the news release about the series, these waters face increasing threats from urbanization, agriculture, and climate change, making sustainable water management a growing concern. The senior college series will be a six-session virtual lecture series will explore the current state of Minnesota’s water quality, highlighting both challenges and successes in conservation efforts, and what is being done to protect these vital resources for generations to come. Topics include lakes, rivers, and streams, aquatic invasive species, phosphorous reduction, and ground water.

Speakers include:

•Paul Radomski, Lake Ecologist, Minnesota DNR

•Hilarie Sorenson, Water Resources Extension Educator, and Amy Schrank, Fisheries and Aquaculture Extension Educator, U of M/Minnesota Sea Grant

•Sharon Kroening, Research Scientist, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

•Doug Jensen, Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Planner, Minnesota DNR

•Lawrence Baker, Research Professor (Retired), Bioproducts & Biosystems Engineering, U of M

•Amy Childers, River Ecologist & Outreach Specialist, Minnesota DNR

The Water Quality Lecture Series will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Jan. 21 through Feb. 11 (no session on February 6). All sessions are held from 3:15 p.m. to 5 p.m., live via Zoom. Using a smartphone, tablet, or computer, attendees may join virtually from the comfort of home, a favorite coffee shop, or anywhere there’s internet.

Of course there is a cost for taking part in the series. The registration fee is $90 per person, which includes all six sessions. For more information or to register, just contact the Customized Training Center at 762-4510 or 888-234-1313 or register online at alextech.edu/lectureseries.

About Alexandria Senior College

Designed to encourage community members to participate in academic learning opportunities beyond a single field of study, ATCC established the Senior College series in 2006 in response to community interest in informative and challenging college learning without the pressures of tests, grades or degrees. Open to all ages, the Distinguished Lecture Series brings noted speakers and college faculty from across the state and beyond to share their expertise on a range of topics of thought.