Article written and released originally by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
On Thursday, Oct. 10, shorefronts along the Hudson River Estuary and the piers of New York Harbor will be busy with activity as thousands of students equipped with seine nets, minnow pots, and water testing gear collect data on the Hudson's fish and invertebrates, track the river's tides and currents, and examine water chemistry and quality during the 22nd annual celebration of A Day in the Life of the Hudson and Harbor.
DEC's annual 'A Day in the Life' event gives student scientists the unique opportunity to experience the tidal Hudson's diverse habitats, fish, and wildlife. From the Troy dam to New York Harbor, the Hudson's bounty is ecologically invaluable to New York and much of the Atlantic coast.
This year, Day in the Life has expanded into sites along the Mohawk River, the Hudson’s largest tributary, and the headwaters of the Upper Hudson River where freshwater feeds into the tidal estuary. Twenty-four enthusiastic teachers and partners are connecting students to these waterways using hands-on data collection and exploration tailored to non-tidal waters.
At more than 100 waterfront sites, students from elementary school through college partner with DEC and environmental education centers to collect scientific data using hands-on field techniques to capture a snapshot of the river's ecology. The data collected by students provides insights into the river's ecosystem and is posted online after the event. Participating classes represent the diversity of the school population in urban and rural communities along the estuary. This year, more than 5,000 students and educators from more than 90 schools will participate.
"Day in the Life" gives students the opportunity to don waders or use a fishing rod or minnow pot to collect data on many of the Hudson's 200-plus species of fish. Most are young fish, evidence of the Hudson's importance as a nursery habitat. Students also examine the physical and chemical aspects of the river with a wide range of equipment from dissolved oxygen and pH kits to high-tech refractometers and plastic hydrometers to measure salinity and find the salt front—the leading edge of dilute seawater pushing up the estuary.
DEC staff connect the field day with the classroom by conducting pre- and post-visits in numerous schools that participate in "Day in the Life." Lessons onsite and in the classroom fulfill state learning standards in a variety of subjects. Post-trip activities connect students to other sites through collected data, helping them better understand the dynamic factors that are constantly impacting the Hudson River ecosystem.
"A Day in the Life” " is sponsored by DEC's Hudson River Estuary Program, in partnership with the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve, the Columbia Climate School Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, the NYS Water Resources Institute at Cornell University, and NEIWPCC.
