State of the Bays 2026
No Time to Waste
What’s happening in our waters and what we can do about it
Friday, April 24, 7 pm
The Avram Theater, Stony Brook Southampton
The State of the Bays Symposium, presented by the Gobler Lab at Stony Brook Southampton, is an annual event that brings together leading scientists, local leaders, and community members to better understand the health of our coastal waters. It will highlight recent water quality and public health threats in coastal waters while also identifying innovative solutions to these complex problems.
This year’s message is clear: We are out of time to wait, but not out of solutions.
The State of the Bays will be delivered by Christopher J. Gobler, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Endowed Chair of Coastal Ecology and Conservation at Stony Brook University's School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, and director of the New York State Center for Clean Water Technology. The event is free and open to the public.
The researchers’ poster session begins at 7 PM, followed by the lecture at 7:30 PM.
Why You Should Attend
If you live, work, or spend time on Long Island or care about the future of our coastal communities, this event will give you a clear, science-based understanding of what’s happening right now.
You’ll hear directly from experts about:
- Record-breaking harmful algal blooms and their impact on water safety
- Rising low oxygen “dead zones” affecting marine life
- New risks to public health, including bacteria like Vibrio vulnificus
- The growing role of microplastics in water pollution
Just as important, you’ll learn what’s being done and what you can do.
Real Solutions, Available Now
This year’s symposium goes beyond the problem to focus on action:
- Proven advanced wastewater treatment systems that dramatically reduce pollution
- Public funding programs that can cover up to 100 percent of upgrade costs
- New in water technologies designed to improve water quality and combat harmful algal blooms
These are not distant ideas. They are solutions already being implemented in our region.
Who Should Come
This event is open to everyone:
- Residents and community members
- Local officials and civic leaders
- Environmental advocates
- Students and educators
No scientific background is needed, just an interest in protecting the waters that define our region.
The health of our bays affects everything from public health to local economies to the natural beauty of the East End.
Join the conversation. Be part of the solution.
Reserve Your Spot
This is a free event, but registration is required.
Spots are limited. Early registration is encouraged.