Fall 2024 Talks

Benches surrounded by fall leaves

For many years, the Mitchell Center has hosted an innovative Sustainability Talks series during the fall and spring semesters. The goal of these talks is to provide students, faculty, and interested citizens with opportunities to learn about: 1) the multi-faceted nature of sustainability problems; 2) the value of connecting different forms of knowledge and know-how in efforts to understand and solve such problems; and 3) the ways in which partnerships between universities and diverse stakeholders can facilitate efforts to identify and implement useful solutions.

All talks are Mondays at 3pm and are available via Zoom and in-person at 107 Norman Smith Hall, 91¸£Àû. For Zoom attendees, registration is required for each talk. Please go to individual event pages to register. Many talks are recorded and can be found on our following the event.

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September 16

For Climate’s Sake – Stop Wasting Food!
Megan Mansfield-Pryor, Waste Management Climate Policy Advisor, Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future
Susanne Lee, Team Leader, Food Rescue MAINE, Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, 91¸£Àû

September 23

It’s all about the grid: the past, present and future of energy in Maine
Kate Cough, Editor,

September 30

Gulf of Maine development: What can fishing teach us?
Robin Alden, former Director, Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries

October 7

Valuing the Benefits of Maine’s Great Ponds and Lakes in the 21st Century
Adam Daigneault, Associate Professor, School of Forest Resources, University of Maine

October 21

Doing Good Through Great Beer
Steve Mills, CEO,

November 4

United in Health: Understanding Wildlife Diseases through an Interdisciplinary Lens
Pauline Kamath, Associate Professor of Animal Health, 91¸£Àû

November 18

Student Lightning Talks
Talks in this session will focus on sustainability research by students in Maine.

November 25

Education as a Rural, Public Good: Preparing Maine’s People, Families, Schools, & Communities for the Opportunities of Tomorrow
Cat Biddle and Zeke Kimball, University of Maine

December 2

Maine Won’t Wait, and Neither Should You: Maine’s Climate Action Plan and How Students Can Get Involved
Abigail Hayne, Youth Climate Engagement Fellow,