The Raquette River is the beloved heart of many North Country communities. Much like the interwoven network of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, humans are also dependent on the Raquette River for their heath and livelihoods. But how is the Raquette River doing? Are they healthy, happy, resilient? How does their health also affect the well-being of all the communities (humans and beyond) that are sustained by their water.
During this event, river scientist, policy researchers and environmental educators joined together to try to answer these questions. Dr. Abul Baki (Clarkson University) discussed his ground breaking research about micro-plastic pollution in the Raquette River. Jackie Bowen (Adirondack Council) added to the conversation by discussing what legislative actions are being taken to protect North Country waterways, and how the recent Supreme Court ruling on wetlands will impact Raquette River communities. Finally, Blake Neumann (Adirondack Council) delved into the importance of environmental education, and how community organizations are joining together to protect the headwaters of the Raquette River.
Panelists
Jackie Bowen
Jackie Bowen (she/her) is the Director of Conservation at the Adirondack Council, an environmental advocacy organization centered on the Adirondack Park. She oversees the Council's Conservation department, where she engages on climate change policies and issues for the Adirondacks, monitors regional land use and natural resource policies and projects, and coordinates research efforts. She also has the privilege of working with other Conservation staff on rewilding and connectivity, clean water, and agricultural issues to support the long-term health of Adirondack ecosystems through policy, science, advocacy and collaboration. Jackie holds a Masters of Environmental Law & Policy from Vermont Law School.
Dr. Abul Baki
Dr. Abul Baki is an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Clarkson University, Potsdam NY. Dr. Baki’s long-term research goal is to address critical challenges in aquatic ecosystems through interrelated lines of interdisciplinary research that share the theme of ecohydraulics. Prior to this position, he was hired as a Water Resources Engineer/Scientist at Ecofish Research Ltd., Vancouver, Canada. Dr. Baki earned his Ph.D. in Water Resources Engineering from the University of Alberta, Canada. His contributions to his field have earned him multiple prestigious awards such as The Karl Emil Hilgard Hydraulic Prize from the American Society of Civil Engineers in 2018 and The Donald R. Stanley Award from the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering in 2015, among others. So far, his research has been funded by NSF, NYS, DFO Canada, and Clarkson. He has published more than 50 peer-reviewed articles in journals/conference proceedings in the past ~10 years. Dr. Baki is a registered Professional Engineer with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC (EGBC), Canada.
Blake Neumann
Blake Neumann (he/him) is the Clean Water Advocate at the Adirondack Council. Blake's current work focuses on community engagement at the nexus of environmental and social well-being. The recently launched Headwaters Campaign is intended to safeguard healthy waters and watersheds and promote better stewardship outcomes through collaboration with a range of local and regional partners. Developing new systems for sharing data and decision-making will better situate these communities to plan for looming threats exacerbated by climate change. Blake holds a Masters of Science in Water and Wetland Resource Studies from SUNY-ESF and a Masters of Public Administration from Syracuse University.
