04/05/2009: "Lecture Series On Toxins in Our Water"

"Toxins in Our Water: Problems and Solutions", are the topics of a series of free spring lectures that begin on April 16th.

Topics will include -among others things- how storm water can transport toxic levels of detergent into marine waters; how products we may think are benign, from shampoo to weed-and-feed, are not as simple as we think; and how hormones and other chemicals that can shift metabolism are getting through water treatment plants.

All lectures are free, open to the public and will be held at the UW Friday Harbor Labs Commons. FRIENDS of the San Juans uses science, education and advocacy to preserve the land, water, sea and livability of the San Juan Islands. For more information, call 378-2319 or visit www.sanjuans.org.

Lecture Series Schedule at-A Glance:

Canary in the Aquarium: How Detergents in storm water harm/kill marine animals in Friday Harbor. Mike Kaill, Biologist and Front Street Aquarium Keeper. Thurs. April 16, 7pm

The Shampoo Menace - Managing Everyday Toxic Products. Russel Barsh. Founder, Kwiaht Wed. April 22, 6:30pm

Toxics and Endocrine Disrupters. Randy Shuman Ph.D. King Co. Parks Water Resource Specialist Thurs. April 30, 7pm

Successes and Challenges in Pollution Control. Brian Rader, SJC Pollution Control Specialist. Thurs. May 7, 7pm

Your Choices and Lifestyle: How they can make a difference. Sam Buck, Concerned Citizen. Thurs. May 21, 7pm

Low Impact Development (LID): Sustainable Building Design Standards (LEED) and the Living Building Challenge. Mark Bueher, 2020 Engineering Thurs. May 28, 7pm

Fireproof Killer Whales: What does the future hold for Orcas in the transboundary waters of BC and Washington? Dr. Peter Ross, Fisheries and Oceans Canada Fri. June 12, 7pm