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DEC Contact: Jomo Miller (518) 402-8000 September 04, 2019
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DEC ANNOUNCES “SCIENCE ON THE RIVER” OPEN HOUSE AT NORRIE POINT ON SEPT. 14Event Celebrates National Estuaries Day |
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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced that the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve will celebrate National Estuaries Day at an interactive “Science on the River” open house at Norrie Point Environmental Center in Staatsburg, Dutchess County, on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 1 to 4 p.m. The event is free and family-friendly. “I encourage families to get outdoors and enjoy this opportunity to explore the abundant fish and wildlife of the tidal Hudson River,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Science on the River is a great chance observe and learn about the critical work scientists are doing to understand and protect this significant habitat.” Participants can fish the waters around Norrie Point with I Fish NY staff to find out what lives in the river and enjoy a live birds of prey program with wildlife rehabilitator Annie Mardiney. Interested visitors can also touch eels and observe how an eel ladder works, learn about submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and why it’s important to the Hudson River, and investigate how different kinds of organisms indicate the health of streams. Young visitors can also explore the river in DEC’s wet classroom through a variety of hands-on crafts and activities. “The Living River,” a short film about the Hudson River Estuary by award-winning filmmaker Jon Bowermaster, will be shown throughout the afternoon in the Captain’s Room in the Norrie Point visitor center. Scientists from the Hudson Research Reserve, the Hudson River Estuary Program, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, and other regional research organizations will be on hand to answer questions about their work and demonstrate techniques for studying the Hudson. Each presentation will feature a chance to participate, with demonstrations and activities for young and old alike. All fishing equipment is provided free of charge for the event and no fishing license is required to participate. Angling is wheelchair accessible, and adaptive fishing rods are available. Most exhibit areas are wheelchair accessible. The Norrie Point Environmental Center is located in the Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park in Staatsburg, Dutchess County. For directions to Norrie Point, visit DEC’s website. For more information, call 845-889-4745 x 107, or email hrnerr@dec.ny.gov. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association designated the Hudson River Research Reserve in 1982 as part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, a network of 29 protected U.S. coastal areas that promote sustainability and improve coastal management through research and education about estuaries. The sites and programs of the Reserve are managed in partnership with DEC and its Hudson River Estuary Program, and the Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation. For more information about research at the NYS DEC Hudson River Research Reserve, visit the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve website. |
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