News from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

For more information contact: Yancey Roy, 518-402-8000

Media Advisory

ALBANY, NY (09/27/2007; 1206)(readMedia)-- Over 2,000 students will gather at more than 40 sites along the Hudson River – from Brooklyn to Minerva – for this year’s “Day in the Life of the River’’ event, Tuesday, Oct. 2. (See attached schedule)

Students, teachers and environmental experts will be out to collect scientific data (fish and aquatic plant counts, water temperature and pH samples, sediment and chlorophyll samples) to share not only with other students, but also facilities such as the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.

The “Day in the Life of the River” is in its fifth year and includes a record number of sites and students. It is conducted through the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Hudson River Estuary Program.

“A major goal of the event is to get students out of the classroom and down to the river’s edge for hands-on science,’’ said DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis. “It’s a resource for them to enjoy and cherish.”

PLANNING NOTES: –- In New York City, 17 sites are scattered throughout the five boroughs, and will host about 600 students. -- Student-collected data will go to active research. Water samples will be collected for a Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute study of trace metal signatures of past climate trends. Sediments will be analyzed by Lamont-Doherty for evidence of lead, zinc and other metals. Water samples will be used by Barnard College for a study on bacteria. Results will be posted on the “Day in the Life of the River” website at: www.ldeo.columbia.edu/edu/k12/snapshotday about a week after the event. -- Many classrooms use the day to complement the Hudson River Estuary Lesson Plan, a curriculum geared for grades 3 through 5.

Day in the Life of the Hudson River Estuary Participants, 2007 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Hudson River Estuary Program

This list includes 50 sites hosting students on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007. “RM” refers to River Miles up the river as measured from the Battery at Manhattan. “NY Hbr” refers to New York Harbor, and “ER” is East River. Additional information including contact information on teachers and partner organizations is available from: Chris Bowser - 845-264-5041 chbowser@gw.dec.state.ny.us or Margie Turrin - 845-365-8494 mkt@ldeo.columbia.edu.

Attachments

chart
Day_in_the_Life_of_the_River_07_201a.doc