The University of Delaware hosted the first of three symposia in the graduate-student inspired “Human and Climate Series.” The goal is to bring together students, faculty and professionals to share research and knowledge centered on water sustainability, as well as expose scholars to potential career paths within water sciences. The first installment – Dynamic Hydrology from Land to Sea – brought experts to Pencader Hall. Speakers ranged from veteran water sustainability researchers to first-year graduate students.

“We had a broad range of working professionals — both the invited speakers spanning government agencies, private companies and academia, as well as participants,” said Holly Michael, the Unidel Fraser Russell Career Development Chair for the Environment.

In his keynote presentation, Robert Twilley, executive director of the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program, provided a historical perspective on the human connection to water, the impact on the critical areas and a look into the future if human behavior does not change.

“Sea level rise amplifies decisions we make on how we use our land," Twilley said. "We have to think about the consequences of what we do with land and water resources.”

The day also featured sessions on coastal processes, environmental networks and monitoring, social dynamics and water management, and watershed processes and management.

Students on the symposia organizing committee are a mix of Delaware Environmental Institute Environmental Fellows, members of the Water Science and Policy Program as well as students from three colleges — the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the College of Engineering.