NH Dept. of Environmental Services Cyanobacteria Webinar Announcement
When: March 20, 2024, 12pm
Where: Virtual via Go to Webinar
Subject: Cyanobacteria in New Hampshire and How You Can Help
On Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 12pm, NHDES will host a webinar to provide an overview of the science of cyanobacteria blooms and how the public can keep safe. The webinar will feature Kate Hastings, Cyanobacteria HAB Program Manager and NHDES’ subject matter expert. Kate will dive into the science of cyanobacteria and describe how to do a self-risk assessment. She will also provide a detailed description of what happens at NHDES when a bloom is reported, walking through our initial response, monitoring (immediate and on-going while the bloom is present), and notification process and answer questions from the public. The webinar is open to anyone interested in learning more about cyanobacteria.
You will receive an email from NHDES with an access link for the webinar once you register.
The summer and fall of 2023 were record-breaking for the number of cyanobacteria Warnings and Alerts issued in New Hampshire. Cyanobacteria blooms can threaten public health, impede recreation, and negatively affect business revenues, tourism, and property values. Knowing how to identify blooms and understanding the risks they pose are key to safely enjoying New Hampshire’s lakes and rivers.
This webinar will describe:
- How to perform a self-risk assessment, including identifying blooms and being aware of common look-alikes.
- How to stay informed about bloom occurrences in New Hampshire.
- NHDES’ process for evaluating bloom samples to determine if a risk to public health is likely present.
- Trends in bloom Warnings in New Hampshire.
This presentation is part of a series of webinars hosted by NHDES in follow up to the release in November 2023 of a statewide strategy to prevent the increase of, and eventually control, cyanobacteria blooms in New Hampshire’s surface waters. The plan was required by the state legislature and included input from a 17-person cyanobacteria advisory committee.
The webinar will be recorded, and a link of the recording will be posted online at https://www.youtube.com/@NHDES.