Science on the River at Norrie Point

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This past weekend, Riverkeeper had the joy of joining the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for “Science on the River”, at the Hudson River Research Reserve at Mills-Norrie State Park in Staatsburg, Dutchess County.

At this free event, scientists and research organizations from across the region engaged kids with their work on the Hudson River. People of all ages were able to participate in hands-on activities, and learn about Hudson River science right on the water-there is nothing quite like being able to teach with the focus of the lesson a few steps away.

A few of the activities included canoeing in a Hudson River tidal marsh, seining to learn about the captured organisms (for more on seining see last month’s blog post A Glimpse of the Hudson’s Abundance), simulating river pollution with a watershed model, and interacting with live eels, which are studied each year as part of a citizen science research project managed by the Hudson River Estuary Program. The event also included an Arm-of-the-Sea Theater production entitled, Hook, Line, & Sinker, and special musical guest Funkinships.

All in all, it was an afternoon filled with fun, learning, and love for our precious river.

Learn more about education programs at the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve at Norrie Point.