The Falmouth Conservation Commission is hosting a forum focused on initiatives to reduce the use of plastics on Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m. at Falmouth High School Theater. The intent of the forum is to highlight the impact of plastics on health and environment and to provide educational opportunities for the public, including ways to reduce our reliance on them, especially single-use plastics.

Recycled No. 2 plastic is bailed and waiting for pickup at the Casella zero-sort facility in Lewiston in this Sun Journal file photo. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Matt Simon, author of “A Poison Like No Other: How Microplastics Corrupted Our Planet and Our Bodies,” will present a virtual keynote followed by a panel discussion moderated by Susan Inches, author of “Advocating for the Environment” and a teacher, planner and public policy consultant, according to a release from the commission. Panelists include: Rep. Lori Gramlich, who serves as the House Chair, Joint Standing Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources; Pete Didisheim, National Resources Council of Maine senior leadership team member; Christina Dubin, from Beyond Plastics, a grassroots organizer who works throughout the country empowering local communities to reduce plastic pollution; Maya Faulstich, a student and co-leader of Yarmouth High School’s Environmental Action Club; and Sarah Woodbury, vice president of policy and advocacy at Defend Our Health, which fights for safe products, food and drinking water.

As a group, audience members and panelists will vote on potential policy initiatives that they believe could make a difference. The top two proposed initiatives will be presented to the Falmouth Conservation Commission to inform its work going forward. The event is free, but registration is requested. Both in-person and virtual attendance options are offered. Learn more & register at: https://www.falmouthme.org/plastics-reduction-initiative