Held on May 13 at the Auburn Senior Community Center, the conference highlighted some concerns with the impacts of climate change on our transportation infrastructure and out natural resources.

Dana Osgood, NewsCenter Maine Meteorologist discussed the difference between weather and climate, and pointed out, just because we may have a cold day or even a cold month the overall trend has been increasing temperatures around the nation. Molly KellyBoyd provided an overview of the updated Maine’s plan, Maine Won’t Wait, to address the impacts of climate change with emphasis on natural resources. Catherine Mardosa from AVCOG provided information on the statewide resiliency effort to assist towns adapt to increased rainfall and flooding, and Allyson Hill from Oxford County Emergency Management Agency discussed extensive flooding in Oxford County and the programs that were available to address infrastructure needs until recent changes at the federal level.

Sarah Haggerty from Maine Audubon demonstrated a hands-on Stream Table that showed how excessive stream flows can lead to erosion and damage to infrastructure and presented how stream crossings designed according to the Stream Smart principles have been resilient.

Other highlights included a presentation on the economic and ecological importance of brook trout and a presentation by Mark Tyrell, who guides on the Androscoggin River in both Maine and New Hampshire, on the excellent trout and bass fisheries on the river and its tributaries. Theo Willis from DMR discussed the amazing progress on dam removal and fish passage that has been made on the Sabattus River.