NC DEQ’s Wilson to Speak at WRRI Conference

For Immediate Release

Secretary Reid Wilson of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) will offer opening remarks on Thursday, March 20, at 9:00 a.m., day two of the NC Water Resources Research Institute’s annual conference.

“The WRRI conference has been running for almost three decades and has become an impactful, educational and engaging gathering,” says Susan White, WRRI’s executive director. “We are happy for Secretary Wilson to join us in renewing our annual commitment to water resources in North Carolina.” 

Opening sessions on both days of the conference include scientists, researchers and specialists working in water resources.

Wednesday, March 19, will open with “Managing Misinformation: Working in Communities and Building Trust.” The panel will feature Brian Southwell, Barbara Doll, and Stacey Feken, who will share their experiences communicating scientific knowledge to the public.

In addition to Secretary Wilson’s remarks on day two, the opening session will include a presentation from Branko Kerkez, associate department chair for research and an Arthur F. Thurnau Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Michigan. This presentation will focus on applying artificial intelligence to address real world problems and will explore innovative ways to utilize technology in water through sensors, algorithms and decision support tools.

For 27 years, the WRRI annual conference has focused on the protection and management of North Carolina’s water resources. The conference brings together many sectors and disciplines working in water resources across the state. Each conference features presentations on the latest research, as well as on-the-ground practices and implementations. 

The conference includes networking opportunities and interactive sessions to learn new skills and solve problems. Students also can enjoy mentoring and other engagement opportunities, while geologists, soil scientists, and engineers can earn professional development hours (PDHs). 

The NC WRRI Conference will be held at the McKimmon Center on NC State campus March 19 and 20. For more information visit: https://wrri.ncsu.edu/events/conference/.

Contact: Rebecca Jones, Director of Communications, WRRI: rejone25@ncsu.edu