WHAT: A Day in the Life of the Carmans River 2013
(Long Island, NY) Students and teachers from six schools in five school districts located in the Central Pine Barrens engaging in hands-on science exploration of the Carmans River. The Press is invited to attend, great photo opportunities.
During this year’s program, students will also be able to compare last year’s data to this year’s to determine whether or not Super Storm Sandy and the new “old” inlet breach may have affected our local river systems. Students will look at many possible effects, including; salinity, turbidity, erosion, biodiversity, downed debris and compare them to last year’s data to determine how Super Storm Sandy changed the river.
WHO: Sponsored by the Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission, Brookhaven National Laboratory’s Portal to Discovery and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, in conjunction with essential partnerships with Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, Ducks Unlimited, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, the Brook Trout Coalition, the Town of Brookhaven, Foundation for Ecological Research in the Northeast (FERN), the Post Morrow Foundation. Suffolk County Parks Department, US Geological Survey, and Eastern Suffolk BOCES. Participating classes come from Longwood School District, William Floyd School District, Patchogue Medford School District, Rocky Point School District and South Country School District.
WHEN: Friday, September 27th, 2013 during the day. Activities at most sites will occur during school hours or after school.
WHERE: At 17 waterfront locations along the Carmans River between Middle Island and Shirley (see schedule below for a selection of locations and schedules).
WHY: To help students develop an appreciation for and knowledge of the Carmans River ecosystem; to collect useful scientific data in regard to the river’s status and to allow students to become stewards of the river’s water quality and natural resources. An additional goal of this program is to connect Long Islanders to nature.
BACKGROUND: On a single day, Friday, September 27th, over 28 environmental education partners and 379 students all along the river will simultaneously collect scientific information, analyze it and share it to portray the status of the river ecosystem during a “Day in the Life of the Carmans River.” Students will use hands-on field techniques to describe their sites, catch fish in nets, collect water and invertebrate samples, develop a biodiversity inventory of the riparian zone and analyze water chemistry. Peter A. Scully, Chairman of the Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission, said “As one of two major rivers located within the Central Pine Barrens, the Carmans River plays an integral role in the overall ecological health and integrity of this region. This event is significant in highlighting that critical relationship and will help ensure that the next generation of adult citizens and community leaders develop an appreciation and advocacy for the preservation of the Carmans.”
Not just a mere field trip, a “Day in the Life” allows students to collect firsthand information about their communities, gain knowledge about natural resources and explore how their piece of the river fits into the larger ecosystem. River educators will work with students at each site and findings will be posted online within days of the event.
Students will examine the physical and chemical aspects of the river, such as where freshwater and salty seawater meet, the amount of sediments in the water and turbidity and oxygen levels, as well as conduct biodiversity inventories of the flora and fauna in and around the river. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Ducks Unlimited and Cornell Cooperative Extension will be working directly with students on acoustic tagging, fly fishing and hands-on research projects. At some sites, students will don waders and pull nets called “seines” through the water and it is hoped will develop enthusiasm for learning more about fish and other aquatic life. Participants will also review work currently underway to restore various migratory fish species, through the Carmans Fish Passage, to their historic seasonal spawning environments. Other partners will be providing their expertise at the remaining sites along the river.
For more detailed information on the “Day in the Life of the Carmans River” event, visit our website at http://www.portaltodiscovery.
For more information on teachers and partner organizations, and to schedule visits to a site, please e-mail or call Melissa Griffiths at mgriffiths@pb.state.ny.us or (631) 655-4688.
