10:16 a.m., Jan. 7, 2009----The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary will host the third Delaware Estuary Science and Environmental Summit from Jan. 11-14 at the Grand Hotel in Cape May, N.J.

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The summit follows close on the heels of the Partnership's “State of the Estuary Report,” which serves as a health assessment of the tidal Delaware River watershed and many of its signature species.

The University of Delaware's Delaware Sea Grant Program and the Delaware EPSCOR Program are among the event sponsors.

Representatives from the University of Delaware will be participating through posters and presentations and by moderating sessions.

The purpose of this biennial summit is to provide a venue for exchange at which 200 or more scientists, resource managers, and environmentalists can share their work in the context of the event's theme, “Planning for Tomorrow's Delaware Estuary.”

In this way, the Partnership hopes to continue building on the themes of its two previous conferences, which were “Linking Science and Management” and “Setting Achievable Environmental Goals.”

Jerry R. Schubel, president and chief executive officer of the Aquarium of the Pacific, will give the keynote speech on Jan. 12.

“This is the only environmental conference that brings people together from different fields of expertise to focus on the latest science, issues, and opportunities at the scale of the watershed,” said Danielle Kreeger, science director at the Partnership. “By doing this in a retreat-like atmosphere, we are fostering fertile discussions that will advance ecosystem science, management, and restoration.”

Highlights of the summit will include over 130 presentations, roundtable discussions and regular and special-topic sessions.

Former U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie, a University of Delaware alumnus, will help announce the 2008 awardees of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Delaware Estuary Watershed Grants Program.

Also, there will be several lectures on progressive topics such as ecotourism, environmental marketing, and outreach programs.

“This summit is for more than just scientists,” said Jennifer Adkins, executive director of the Partnership. “We've tailored it over the years so it also appeals to environmental professionals and conservationists, particularly those concerned with the tidal Delaware River and Bay.”

For more information about the 2009 Delaware Estuary Science and Environmental Summit, visit the organization's Web site.

Registration the day of the event is $350 for the full summit, $150 for students. The daily rate is $180.