New York State Marine Education Association Newsletter | July 2010
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 Dear friends of NYSMEA,
While it is hot as can be this week, summer in New York affords us so many opportunities to explore our world of water, both fresh and salt. We can enjoy our local beaches; go boating and fishing; visit our science and cultural institutions, and much more.
Summer is also a great time for professional development, whether it be volunteer/citizen science work or traditional meetings and workshops. Have you checked out NYSMEA's website for such opportunities? Learn how to participate in water quality monitoring, shellfish restoration, stranding networks, and more!
In addition, the National Marine Educators Association
(NMEA) 2010 conference in Gatlinburg, TN, is just a few
weeks away, but it is not too late to register! A group of NYSMEA
members will be there-- we hope you'll join us!
Stay cool and I hope you are enjoying your summer!
Sincerely,
Meg
Meghan Marrero, Ed.D.
President
New York State Marine Education Association
president@nysmea.org
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The Creature Corner:
Piping Plovers
| The piping plover (Charadrius melodus) arrives on the shores of New York in mid-March to breed. During May and June, females lay three to four eggs above the high-tide line. The
young leave the nest shortly
after hatching and, by early September, all
but a few stragglers have departed for their wintering areas (from Texas to North
Carolina).
At the turn of the century, piping plover populations declined due to extensive hunting for meat and sport. In 1986, this species was listed as endangered by the state of New York. Today, coastal development,
recreational activities, and disturbance by off-road vehicles continue to impact this species by reducing suitable breeding habitat.
Recent surveys have estimated that there are about 400  breeding
pairs on Long Island, which is an increase from the 100 pairs that were estimated to be nesting when this species was listed on the endangered species list.
You can help piping plover populations by:
- respecting fenced off nesting areas on beaches
- keeping dogs on leashes and cats indoors
- observing birds from a distance so not to stress them
- taking all trash with you when you leave the beach; garbage will attract predators that feed on the birds and eggs
For more information, please visit the NYSDEC's Web site.
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New Updates on the NYSMEA Web site:
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New job postings
Naturalist/Educator, Seatuck Environmental Association
(Islip, NY): work on expanding
organization's educational programming.
Operations Director,
Seatuck Environmental Association
(Islip, NY): work with the
Executive Director in managing the organization and its new nature
center.
Outreach Associate, Columbia Land Conservancy
(Chatham, NY): assist with marketing and public outreach for
our conservation and education programs.
Stewardship Assistant, Scenic Hudson
(Poughkeepsie, NY): assist with
the management of Scenic Hudson's conservation easements, and also will have
parks management duties as part of the Parks Team.
Gardener, City of New York/Parks & Recreation
(Staten Island, NY): inventory, assess, and supervise various
projects for a six month period on Prall's Island.
Life
Science and Biology Teacher, Stony Brook School
(Stony Brook, NY): teach 7th grade Life Science
and 9th grade Biology, who can also coach sailing and a Scallop Bowl team.
For direct links to these postings and more, visit our "Jobs"
Web page.
Upcoming professional development opportunities
Teacher
training for Brookhaven National Laboratory's Open Space Stewardship
Program (July 12-15, from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm at Brookhaven
National Laboratory)
Marinating Science
(July 9 - Aug 1, 2010 [5 Fridays] at Dowling College)
The
Children's Environmental Literacy Foundation (CELF) Summer Institute for Sustainability Education (July
12 -16 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm at Manhattanville
College, Purchase,
NY)
National
Marine Educators
Conference "From
the Mountains
to the Sea" (July 19-23 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee)
For more on these opportunities, visit our "Professional Development" Web page.
Deadlines for upcoming grants
Classroom Earth
Professional Development Grants: Deadline July 9, 2010
Change
for the Children Grants: Deadline July 15, 2010
Disney Friends for Change Grants: Deadline July 15, 2010
Global Youth Service Day Lead Agency Grants: Deadline July 15, 2010
STEMester of Service
Grants: Deadline July 15, 2010
Fund for the
Improvement of Postsecondary Education: Deadline July 29, 2010
Green Across America Grant: Deadline July 30, 2010
Great American
Teachers Awards: Deadline Sept 1, 2010
Trash to Treasure
Competition: Deadline Sept 5, 2010
MATE International ROV Competition
For direct links to these grants and more, visit our "Scholarships and Grants" Web page.
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Strandline (n): the high water mark; the area at the top of a beach where debris is
deposited.
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Other Upcoming Events
| NMEA Annual ConferenceJuly 18-24 Gatlinburg, TN Free Family NightsThursdays, Aug 5-26, 6-8 pm Sag Harbor
Whaling Museum Turtle Hatch DayAugust 21, 2 pm Cold
Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium Visit our Calendar
for more information on these
and other events! . |
Missed the conference?
Be sure to renew your
membership today!
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For just $20.00 a year,
you can become a member
of the New York State
Marine
Education Association (also known as NYSMEA).
NYSMEA holds an
annual conference, periodic meetings,
lectures, workshops,
field trips (such as exploring the geology of Central Park in NYC, shown below), and boat trips.
Our Web
site includes
lesson plans, job postings,
research opportunities,
field trip
destinations, and marine-related links.
Still not convinced? Read our
TOP FIVE REASONS TO JOIN!
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Looking for periodic updates?
Join our online
social networks:
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Only
$20!
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For $20.00, you can become a member of the New York State Marine Education Association (NYSMEA). NYSMEA holds an annual conference, periodic meetings,
lectures, workshops,
field trips, and boat trips. Our Web site also includes lesson plans, job postings,
research opportunities,
field trip destinations, and marine-related links. Members are
available
to assist new teachers or old interested in developing
laboratory, lecture
and field work. Still not convinced? Read our TOP FIVE REASONS TO JOIN! |
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Be a part of NYSMEA: CLICK HERE and join today!
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| The New York State Marine Education Association (NYSMEA) is
a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit
organization that exists
to promote marine awareness and encourage the growth and
exchange of
instructional resources. |
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