Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center

1
Potomac EnvironmentalResearch and Education
Center
Department of Environmental Science and
Policy George Mason University

• Belmont Bay
• Prince William County, Virginia

An Environmental Research and Education Center
for the Potomac River Basin
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Our Mission

• To utilize the tools of scientific research,
  restoration, education, and policy analysis to
  help society understand and sustain natural
  processes in ecosystems, watersheds, and
  landscapes.

3
Potomac Environmental Research and Education
CenterSpecific Research Foci

• Restoration of Potomac River Chesapeake Bay
• Sustainability of Natural Ecosystems in Suburban
  Areas
• Impact of Global Climate Change on Management of
  Aquatic Ecosystems

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Restoration of the Potomac River and Chesapeake
Bay

• New Bay Agreement
• Important research questions remain
• The effect of nutrients on Bay organisms
• Greater understanding of tidal freshwater
  oligohaline ecosystems
• The role of wetlands in protecting the Bay
• The recovery of Bay communities when stresses are
  removed

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Suburban Sustainability

• Northern Virginia is one of the most rapidly
  growing regions of the Country
• How does this rapid growth impact our ecosystems?
• What are the growth and development strategies
  that can lessen that impact and allow us to
  retain a greater variety of organisms?

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Global Climate Change and Management of Natural
Ecosystems

• Impacts of climate change on aquatic ecosystems
• Linkages between climate change, hydrology, and
  aquatic ecology
• Using managed landscapes and wetlands to store
  carbon carbon credits

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Belmont A Great Opportunity for Environmental
Science and Policy

• At the mouth of the tidal Occoquan River
• 30 minute drive from the Fairfax campus
• Convenient to eastern PW, so. Fairfax, Spring-
  field, Alexandria, Mount Vernon, points south

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Immediate Vicinity

• Adjacent to Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge
  Virginia Science Museum site
• Near Mason Neck, PW Forest National Park and
  other natural areas
• Convenient to I-95, Rt. 1, Rt. 123, Fairfax
  Campus
• Adjacent to VRE commuter rail station
• In mixed use development including retail,
  convention center, housing

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Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge

• 580 acres of tidal marshes and upland meadows
• A wide variety of plants and animals
• Access for class field trips, observational
  research

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Facilities Anticipated at Belmont

• 8 research labs (with viewing walls)
• 4 teaching lab
• 14 support rooms
• 3 Lecture Rooms (30-50 seat)
• 1 Large Assembly Room (80 seat)
• 10 Offices

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Facilities Anticipated at Belmont

• Library/Resources Center
• GIS/Graphics Facility
• Conference Room
• Classrooms for general university courses

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Education Programs

• Serve as a focus of activity for Environmental
  programs at GMU
• Graduate programs in Environmental Science and
  Public Policy
• Certificates in Environmental Management
• Courses in Biology, Chemistry, Geology,
  Geography, Human Ecology
• General Education course in Environmental Science

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K-12 and Community Programs

• Work with local schools to implement watershed
  and bay ecology educational programs incorporated
  into basic science curriculum
• Conduct ecology camps
• Serve as a resource for local government and
  citizens

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Status of PEREC

• Website is up
• http//perec.cos.gmu.edu
• Inaugural Seminar Series Underway
• Planning proceeding for temporary and permanent
  space at Belmont Bay
• Research and educational activities initiated

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Current Funded ResearchPotomac Environmental
Research and Education Center

• Gunston Cove Ecosystem Study
• Now in its 25th year, over 2 million in external
  funding, mostly from Fairfax County
• Long-term study of the tidal Potomac River just
  north of Belmont
• Geospatial Analysis of Fairfax County Natural
  Areas
• Compendium of Watershed Assessment Methods
• http//assessmentmethods.nbii.gov/
• Tidal Potomac Teacher Training Workshop