Newsletter examines effects of land use on water quality in Maryland's Coastal Bays

Newsletter imageCoastal lagoon ecosystems across the Delmarva Peninsula are rapidly evolving due to changing land use patterns and shifts towards intensive agriculture, particularly poultry production, and intensive rural-residential development. These changes in the coastal lagoon seascape are especially evident in the northern Coastal Bays watershed of St. Martin River. This region is intensely developed in areas such as the Ocean Pines canal community, is composed of a high percentage of crop agriculture, and contains a number of poultry feeding operations. Water quality degradation continues to be an important issue in the watershed. This newsletter examines how upstream land use affects water quality.

Scientist-educator partnerships produce classroom materials

Teacher presenting educational materialsOn July 30-31, the scientist-educator teams, hosted by Centers for Ocean Science Education Excellence (COSEE) Coastal Trends, revealed the classroom materials they created during a six-week program. Each team developed materials for an interactive website where students can explore seagrass and dead zones, examine the trends in these topics, and investigate current research. Activities on the website directly relate to lesson plans that link the concepts on the website to classroom activities and assessment tools for teachers. Over the next few months, these materials will be tested in classrooms and made available to educators and the public.

REU students trained in Science Communication

Teaching preparation of  effective Powerpoint slidesStudents in the Research Experience for Undergraduates program (overseen by Maryland Sea Grant and funded by National Science Foundation) are now trained in Zen and the art of science communication. Students residing at both Horn Point Laboratory and Chesapeake Biological Laboratory met with Bill Dennison, Jane Thomas, Ben Fertig, and IAN intern Hilary Stevens at the Annapolis Synthesis Center to draw conceptual diagrams and improve visual aides using effective science communication techniques. Additionally, they were given a walking tour of Annapolis.

A new Program Manager for IAN

Tim Carruthers diving with fiancee Courtney Schupp.Tim Carruthers has a background in seagrass research in Australia, Panama, and Mexico. Tim has worked with IAN since 2001 working on many regional, national, and international synthesis projects and this new position reflects his expanding roles with IAN: fundraising, developing partnerships, supervising staff, and academic mentoring of grad students and interns. With the assistance of a soon-to-be-appointed IAN Business Manager, Tim will manage IAN's growing and dynamic group of Science Integrators and Science Communicators. In his spare time, Tim enjoys surfing and snowboarding.