Sierra Club Climate Change Committee Meeting

Join us on Zoom! https://zoom.us/j/5133069449

6:30-7:15 or 7:30 – Brent Bellinger, Ph.D. Blue-green Algae (Cyanotoxins) in Austin

Lady Bird Lake is recognized as one of the most important ecological amenities to the Austin region. Unfortunately, in 2019 a number of dogs became sick and passed away after swimming in the water body and being exposed to toxic cyanobacteria mats. Thereafter and continuing in 2020 and 2021, we have monitored the presence of toxins in the algal mats that developed in the summer, and the water quality, hydrology, and temperatures associated with the proliferations. In 2021, we also initiated a pilot program toward mitigating the growth of potentially toxic cyanobacteria by working to cap-and-bury sediment phosphorus, thereby making it unavailable to the benthic cyanobacteria for growth. This webinar summarizes our findings and makes inferences about the conditions that have given rise to the blooms in the reservoir and hypothesizes as to what has changed in the reservoir in recent years to have potentially changed ecosystem conditions that now supports toxic cyanobacteria.

Bio – I have been a senior scientist with the City of Austin’s Watershed Protection Department for about 7.5 years. My research looks at ecological structure, function, and condition, the influence of stressors on ecological integrity, and adaptive management, mitigation, and restoration options to ensure the highest water quality available to the local communities. I received by bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and my Ph.D. from Michigan Technological University. After graduation, I held post-doctoral appointments with the University of Florida/South Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

7:15-8:00 Climate Change Committee Meeting – Discuss Action Teams and allow people to sign up to continue the work to stop climate change, an imperative if we want our current civilization to survive. We’ve formed Action Teams on Austin Energy, the Permian Pipeline, Rio Grande Valley Support, Carbon Fee & Dividend, People Power, Data Entry, and Presentations and more. We have identified additional action teams we’d like to form, including Transportation, Climate Justice, Partner Organizations, School Education, and Social Media. Whether you have only minutes a month or hours a day, join us to build a mass movement to stop climate change. Or join another group fighting this vital cause.