UNC Asheville Convenes Two-Day Workshop Exploring
WNC Environmental Issues
Leading environmental researchers from government agencies,
universities, non-profit organizations and businesses will meet at UNC
Asheville May 21-22 to explore the use of supercomputer modeling in
solving regional environmental problems. The two-day workshop is
coordinated by UNC Asheville's National Environmental Modeling and
Analysis Center (NEMAC).
"Scientists successfully use computer models to explore
environmental issues in many parts of the country, but accurately modeling
what occurs in the Southern Appalachian mountains requires far greater
detail and is very challenging," said John Stevens, NEMAC acting
director. "Our region's unique environment is built from complex and
intricate interactions within the biosphere. Air quality, stormwater
runoff, land usage, and predicting severe weather are all pressing
environmental concerns. We believe we can successfully address these
issues through collaboration among the region's leading research
scientists and public and private-sector organizations."
The workshop brings together regional environmental scientists and
potential funding organizations, Stevens said. Presenters will outline the
current state-of-the-sciences and create a set of guidelines for future
research and funding. Presenters include Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
the N.C. Board of Science and Technology, U.S. Forest Service, National
Climatic Data Center, U.S. Geological Survey, N.C. Department of
Environmental and Natural Resources, and N.C. Department of Agriculture.
The two-day workshop, Exploring Applications of Environmental Modeling
in the Southern Appalachians, is sponsored by UNC Asheville, Oak Ridge
National Laboratory's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program, USDA
Forest Service's Southern Research Station, the Education and Research
Consortium of the Western Carolinas and AdvantageWest North Carolina. For
a complete schedule of events, go to www.unca.edu/nemac,
call 828/251-6973, or e-mail gvoos@unca.edu.
NEMAC, a national center for the modeling and analysis of environmental
data, was established at UNC Asheville in February 2004. NEMAC coordinates
basic and applied research projects, and serves as an information center
regarding funding and collaborative opportunities for joint research and
the commercialization of environmental technology. The center has received
more than $2.7 million in grants and contracts since its start.
Media Contacts:
- Gerard Voos, NEMAC
Director of Development, 828/250-3866
- Merianne Epstein, UNCA Public Information Director, 828/251-6676
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