Environmental Learning and Stewardship in Howard County, MD
HoLLIE is going VIRTUAL in 2021!
Instead of cancelling our annual HoLLIE program of environmental learning and leadership training due to the risks of COVID-19, we will be going live with interactive classes via Webex!
2021 HoLLIE Virtual Lecture Series Online:
Climate Change: Science, Policy and Local Action
The Howard County Legacy Leadership Institute for the Environment is for people who want to turn knowledge about the environment and climate change into action in Howard County and the state of Maryland.
For 2021, we're launching Climate Change: Science, Policy and Local Action, an eight-week course of half day online sessions with NASA scientists, University of Maryland and local environmentalists, and key Howard County Government leaders. Join us and BE SAFE while you travel in outer space, the Arctic, around the world and home again!
Dates are Thursdays starting February 4 through March 25, 2021. For the detailed curriculum, scroll down to the next section on this page.
Because we're virtual and have no field trips, we can offer this opportunity AT NO COST to up to 200 participants, but registration is required. Those who have attended previous HoLLIE classes are welcome to register for this series as a continuing education update on the climate science.
Click to register here via Eventbrite:
Prior to February 4, we will send you the instructions and links you need in order to participate via your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
For questions, email Barbara Schmeckpeper at holliebjs@gmail.com or Betsy Singer at betsysing@gmail.com.
The 2021 HoLLIE Virtual Lecture Series Online is an abbreviated version of HoLLIE. It will still be eight weeks of classes, but half-days,and no field trips or our usual opportunities for HoLLIE volunteer hours and graduation. For more information on our in-person HoLLIE classes, click the About/Contact tab at the top of the page.
Climate Change: Science, Policy, and Local Action
2021 HoLLIE Virtual Lecture Series
Syllabus
Day One – Thursday, February 4 – Earth System Science
9:00 Introductory remarks, lecture series relationship to larger
HoLLIE institute
9:15 Claire Parkinson, Climate Change Senior Scientist, NASA/Goddard
Spaceflight Center (GSFC)
Observing the Earth System through the Eyes of Satellites; Q&A
10:25 Break
10:30 Claire Parkinson, continued.
Climate Change & Forty Years of Sea Ice Studies; Q&A
11:40 “Breakout Rooms” discussions
Day Two – Thursday, February 11 – Earth System Science
9:00 Ivona Cetinic, Scientist, Universities Space Research Association,
NASA/GSFC
Observing Living Oceans from Space; Q&A
10:10 Break
10:15 Kelly Brunt, Associate Research Scientist, Earth System Science
Interdisciplinary Center, U. of MD and NASA Cryospheric Sciences Lab
NASA/GSFC
Understanding Change in the Polar Regions; Q&A
11:25 “Breakout Rooms” discussions
Day Three – Thursday, February 18 – Earth System Science
9:00 Matt Rodell, Associate Deputy Director, Hydrological Sciences Laboratory,
NASA/GSFC
Land-based Hydrological Cycle; Q&A
10:10 Break
10:15 Sara Via, Professor, University of Maryland
How Human Intervention in the Carbon Cycle Caused Climate Change; Q&A
11:25 “Breakout Rooms” discussions
Day Four – Thursday, February 25 – Ozone & Communicating Data Graphically
9:00 Paul Newman, Chief Scientist for Atmospheric Sciences, NASA/GSFC
How the Montreal Protocol Saved the Earth's Ozone Layer; Q&A
10:10 Break
10:15 Lori Perkins, Data Systems Assistant Director
The Amazing Work of NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio; Q&A
11:25 “Breakout Rooms” discussions
Day Five, Thursday, March 4 – Environment Policy
9:00 Tim Lattimer, Coordinator U.S.Delegation to U.N.Climate Change
Conference (COP21), US Dept of State (retired)
International and National Environmental Policies; Q&A
10:10 Break
10:15 Daniel Nees, Senior Research Associate, School of Public Policy
University of Maryland (Environmental Finance Center &
Center for Global Sustainability)
Chesapeake Bay, Climate Change, and the Politics of Finance; Q&A
11:25 “Breakout Rooms” discussions
Day Six, Thursday, March 11 – Howard County Government Local Action
9:00 Lindsay DeMarzo, Sustainability Projects Manager (Stormwater),
Office of Community Sustainability; Q&A
10:10 Break
10:15 Beth Burgess, Chief, Division of Resource Conservation, Department of
Planning and Zoning; Q&A
11:25 “Breakout Rooms” discussions
Day Seven, Thursday, March 18 – Howard County Government Local Action
9:00 Dan McNamara, Superintendent, Natural and Historic Resources & Open
Space, Department of Recreation & Parks; Q&A
10:10 Break
10:15 Mark DeLuca, Chief Bureau of Environmental Services, Deputy Director
Department of Public Works; Q&A
11:25 “Breakout Rooms” discussions
Day Eight, Thursday March 25 – Saving Places We Love, Actions to Make a Difference
9:00 Ned Tillman, Author and Sustainability Advisor
Human Impacts on the Chesapeake Watershed & Strategies for
Environmental Stewardship
10:10 Break
10:15 Sara Via, Research Scientist, University of Maryland/Extension
Climate Sustainability Actions to Make a Difference
11:25 “Breakout Rooms” discussions
Click to download .pdf of syllabus
What's your Environmental Passion ???
Whether you have lifetime, a day, or an hour, there is something you can do to help!
Hover or tap on the circles to find what interests you most, then click Go! to see a list of related organizations.
You can start small and still help a lot!
How to get started:
-
Explore the circles
-
Click Go! to see a list of related environmental organizations in and around Howard County
-
Visit their website
-
Join their email list and stay informed
-
Attend a meeting in person or online if you can
-
Volunteers are needed for everything from office work and making phone calls to event staffing, research, outdoor work, and nature walks. There are often opportunities to help from home.
You can make a difference!
Click the buttons below to learn about HoLLIE
About Us
About the HoLLIE Program
Meet our HoLLIE Coordinators
Local environmental organizations with great opportunities for you to get involved!
Contact Us
Phone & Email
To classes at Belmont
To NASA Goddard Visitors Center

News & Alerts
Check for breaking environmental news, opportunities for action, and INCLEMENT WEATHER class notices

Information Resources
Links to websites and videos on environmental topics, resources for discussing climate change, and environmental resources for kids.
Members Only
Current and former HoLLIE participants can register by clicking this button or on the News-Blog page. You must be registered to comment on our blog posts, get email notices of new posts, and access class materials.
