The UNCG Department of Biology will hold a symposium – “The Future of Our Oceans,” featuring four internationally known researchers – 1-5 p.m. Friday, April 8.

The program in Auditorium 130 of the Moore Building is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by the UNCG College of Arts and Sciences, the UNCG Geography Department, Elon University and Syngenta.

Speakers will address the state of our oceans, the problems they face and possible solutions. The presentations will focus on estuarine ecosystems, barrier islands, marine food webs and marine reserves. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions.

The schedule is:
• 1 p.m. – Welcome
• 1:10-2 p.m. – “The Status of Our Nation’s Estuaries: Politics, Science and Projections for the Future” by Dr. JoAnne Burkholder, N.C. State University
• 2-2:50 p.m. – “A Celebration of the World’s Barrier Islands” by Dr. Orrin Pilkey, Duke University
• 3:10-4 p.m. – “Predators and Ocean Ecosystems – From Killer Whales to Kelp Forests” by Dr. Jim Estes, University of California at Santa Cruz
• 4-4:50 p.m. – “Ocean Neighborhoods and the Science of Marine Reserves” by Steve Palumbi, Stanford University

For a map or additional information, visit the symposium's webpage or call (336) 334-5391.