Keynote Presentations

Gary HawkinsDr. Gary Hawkins

Keynote: Having FUN while Educating about Onsite Wastewater Systems: You Should Try       

Education about onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) can sounds like an oxymoron, but you would be surprised how people from kids to adults can have fun learning about things that can help protect the environment through proper operation and maintenance. This presentation will showcase some of the educational methods we use to educate people about various aspects of the OWTS. This can range from a simple basics of OWTS in a “Lunch and Learn” type presentation, to model septic systems, Toilet or Trash toss-it game, to shake the paper to breakdown demonstration. I will have pictures of the different FUN activities with some audience participation thrown in to increase the fun. Education of kids all the way to adults about a typically not discussed topic in a manner than educates while being fun provides some answers, but I have found also provides many questions. So, sit back, buckle your seatbelts and let’s have some fun learning about OWTS.

 

Additional Session: Developing the Next Generation Onsite Wastewater Treatment Professional 
Co-Presented with Bindu Bhaka, MSU Extension

This presentation is designed to discuss developing the next generation of onsite wastewater professionals. Workforce development can range from the Installer/Pumper to Soil Scientist to the Environmental Health Specialist to the Engineer. Each one may have and typically would have a different path. We will discuss how to provide the education in each of these fields and more importantly hopefully show how each career path can involve or be connected to onsite wastewater treatment.

Biography: Gary L. Hawkins has been at the University of Georgia since 2001. He is an Extension specialist in the area of Water Resource Management and Policy. He is an Agricultural Engineer with an 80% Extension appointment and a 20% Research appointment.

Extension programming involves water resource management, water conservation, stormwater management, well water, on-site waste treatment and alternative energy.

Research is used to support his extension programming. Some projects include water conservation through conservation tillage, crop water use, and soil moisture management