LINCROFT — Brookdale Community College, in partnership with the Sierra Club of the Jersey Shore, will host two free Science Monday programs this fall that focus on pressing environmental issues in New Jersey, including stormwater management and the preservation of endangered species.
The sessions are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in the Twin Lights Rooms of the Warner Student Life Center at Brookdale’s Lincroft campus, located at 765 Newman Springs Road. Both events are free and open to the public.
Upcoming Lectures
The first lecture, titled “Watershed Management: Green and Sustainable Infrastructure for Stormwater,” will take place on Monday, October 26. Dr. Christopher C. Obropta, a professor of environmental sciences at Rutgers University, will lead the discussion on rain gardens and green infrastructure. He aims to illustrate how these solutions can alleviate flooding, improve water quality, and manage stormwater by naturally capturing and filtering runoff.
Dr. Obropta is involved with the Green Infrastructure Champions Program, which educates local leaders, municipal staff, and residents about implementing green infrastructure projects across New Jersey. His expertise encompasses watershed management, water quality modeling, and stormwater mitigation.
The second lecture, scheduled for Monday, November 23, will feature William “Bill” Pitts, a senior zoologist with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Endangered and Nongame Species Program. Pitts will explore new tools and technologies utilized in the study and protection of endangered species and their habitats in the state.
His presentation will cover conservation strategies for various species, such as the American kestrel, bog turtle, and eastern tiger salamander. Pitts will also discuss the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) technology, which allows scientists to identify species through environmental samples, along with GIS habitat modeling, enhancing the study of breeding and habitat requirements.
Since joining the Endangered and Nongame Species Program in 2005, Pitts has managed projects focused on species conservation and has partnered with various organizations to foster community science initiatives.
Science Monday lectures occur on the fourth Monday of each month from September to November and January to April. The series features scientists and environmental professionals sharing their knowledge with the community. Attendees will be provided with complimentary pizza and light refreshments, and parking is available in Lot 7.
