Registration open for March SEC Academic Conference at ��

Drought, declines in aquifers used for irrigation, and sea-level rise are among core topics of interest in the upcoming 2017 Academic Conference hosted by �� March 27-28. (Photo by iStock)

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Registration is open for the 2017 SEC Academic Conference to be hosted by �� March 27-28.

The new academic event focused on SEC university research collaboration will examine “The Future of Water: Regional Collaboration on Shared Climate, Coastlines, and Watersheds.” For complete conference details, visit .

Participants may complete a registration form online, as well as view information about travel and accommodations.

“There isn’t a natural resource more relevant to economic development, quality of life, and life itself than water,” said �� Vice President for Research and Economic Development David Shaw. “But far too often, we take having an abundant supply of water for granted, and so this conference will address that issue and many other questions.”

Every state in the SEC is experiencing drought conditions this fall, Shaw added.

“The U.S. Drought Monitor report released this week found everything from abnormally dry conditions in Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, South Carolina, Florida and Louisiana all the way to exceptional drought — the most severe level — in parts of Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia,” he said. (For more, see .)

�� officials making preparations for the March conference said increased climate variability and water demand are bringing water issues to the forefront. Drought, declines in aquifers used for irrigation, and sea-level rise are among core topics of interest. The conference is designed to stimulate communication and collaboration toward sustainable and resilient water resource management in the Southeast, with overarching themes to include shared inland waters and aquifers, coastlines, climate and regional policy.

The conference aims to identify the dominant economic, community and ecosystem challenges to sustainable water resources in the southeastern U.S.; identify policy and practice paths to maximize the health and vitality of the region through water stewardship; and engage the best and brightest scientists in the SEC with other national and international experts in water resources.

Students from SEC universities have the opportunity to compete in the Campus Water Matters Challenge under the guidance of faculty from their respective universities. Designed to engage students to innovate interdisciplinary water solutions, the challenge also encourages student-faculty collaboration. For guidelines, visit .

The SEC Academic Conference represents an expanded slate of academic programming currently supported by the Southeastern Conference. The on-campus event is expected to showcase SEC university research in areas of critical importance within the region and around the nation. SECU is the academic initiative of the SEC, and it serves as the primary mechanism through which the collaborative academic endeavors and achievements of SEC universities are supported and advanced.

For more on SECU, visit .

�� is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at .

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