A Host of Opportunities to ‘Know the Coast’ at UNH’s Marine Facilities

Despite the modest length of our coastline, New Hampshire has deep roots to the marine environment, from the watersheds that feed Great Bay to the bay itself and to the marine environment in the open waters of the Gulf of Maine. Over the past 40 years, the University of New Hampshire has been home to a large number of faculty and students who have worked to expand our knowledge about these fascinating ecosystems.

Have you ever wondered how scientists track whale movements as they dive deep beneath the sea to feed? Are you interested in how researchers grow winter flounder from microscopic larvae up to an age that they can be put out in Hampton Harbor to help replenish stocks? Would you like to learn more about how scientists restore critical wetland and seagrass habitats in Great Bay? Here is your chance!

On Saturday, October 20th we invite you to visit our UNH marine facilities as part of our first annual ‘Know the Coast Day’ sponsored by the UNH Marine Program, the New Hampshire Sea Grant College Program and the UNH Marine Docents. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with a number of our faculty who are conducting research from Great Bay to the Arctic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea and a number of the graduate students pursuing degrees in marine biology, oceanography and ocean engineering at UNH.

‘Know the Coast Day’ will take place between 10AM and 3PM at two of the UNH Marine Program’s research facilities concurrently: Chase Ocean Engineering Lab at UNH in Durham, and the UNH Pier and Pier Facility in New Castle. We encourage you to choose one or both of the sites to explore. At both of the sites, there will be fun learning activities for everyone from younger children to adults hosted by our UNH Marine Docents. Make plans to join us and get to ‘Know the Coast’; admission is free. We hope to see you there.

Jonathan Pennock

Director, UNH Marine Program and N.H. Sea Grant College Program