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Mansfield Creates Environment Institute On Shale, Other Issues, Speaker Series Starts

Mansfield University President Fran Hendricks Wednesday announced the creation of The Institute of Science and the Environment at Mansfield University, Tioga County.

The new Institute will replace the Marcellus Institute, which was established in 2012, continuing its work with responsible industry representatives while broadening its focus to all aspects of land use and natural resources. The Institute of Science and the Environment at Mansfield University will be part of the Department of Geosciences.

“The Institute will coordinate non-credit and for-credit initiatives to provide community leadership on the natural environment,” Hendricks said. “Through research programs in the sciences and humanities, internships, workforce training, and private/public partnerships, the Institute will provide resources for students, alumni, and neighboring communities, with a focus on Tioga and Bradford Counties.”

In addition to supporting the degree programs in Safety Management and Natural Gas Production and Services, the Institute will help coordinate internships and trainings for the Watershed Management, Environmental Science, Environmental Biology, Fisheries and Outdoor Recreation Leadership programs. The Institute will also run non-credit certification programs for students and community members.

“We’re excited to bring the Institute under the academic wing of the University, and to broaden the focus,” Lilace Guignard, co-director of The Institute of Science and the Environment at Mansfield University, said. “We have many strong science programs with an environmental focus, and the Institute now will help connect those students and their research with our community and businesses. The University will soon have a one-stop resource online for area residents who want information on a variety of issues, from where can I recycle e-waste to what should I know about pipeline safety?”

Guignard, who is director of Education and Outreach, is Institute Co-directors Chris Kopf and Lilace Guignard co-directing The Institute with Chris Kopf, associate professor of Geosciences, who is director of Grants and Research.

Speakers For Tomorrow Series

The Institute will also host a speakers series on the third Thursday of most months when school is in session. “’Speakers for Tomorrow’ is series of free presentations on issues that affect the decisions we make about how we live where we live,” Guignard said.

The first will be October 16, 7 p.m. in Allen Hall, Room 104, when Emily Krafjack makes her presentation entitled “A COGENT Response to Natural Gas Development.”

Krafjack is the president of Connection for Oil, Gas, & Environment in the Northern Tier Inc. (COGENT).

She will speak about the organization’s efforts to address regulatory and other gaps as the unconventional shale gas development moves forward in our region.

All “Speakers for Tomorrow” events are free and open to the public.

For more information, visit Mansfield University’s Institute of Science and the Environment webpage.

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