Webinars on Tracking and Communicating About Harmful Algal Blooms

This week, on June 12th, the Resource Media and the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) hosted a webinar to share the results of their spring 2014 State Survey on Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) to investigate state recreational monitoring and reporting practices and to facilitate further dialogue around this issue.   The survey found that relatively few states have HAB programs, funding, or vehicles for reporting HABs.  Among the survey report’s recommendations were that states should conduct public awareness campaigns in the run up to HAB season and increase active monitoring of publicly accessed water bodies.  For more information, the Resource Media hosts a Toxic Algae News web site that includes:  the survey report; a national online map that tracks HAB reporting; a report detailing the scope of the problem; and an education infographic and poster that are available for download and distribution to the public.
Next week, on June 18th, (1:00-3:00 p.m. ET), EPA will host the next webinar in its summer series to further the discussion on explaining and reporting HABs to the public. Cat Lazaroff from Resource Media and Kate Golden from Wisconsin Watch will discuss their roles in reporting stories about HABs, and how organizations and the media can best convey and share these stories to the public in an accurate and clear manner. This webcast series is a part of a broader outreach effort that aims to focus public attention on HABs, which are associated with nutrient pollution, and can sicken people and pets, devastate aquatic ecosystems, and be a detriment to the economy.  To register, visit: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/172614698.