Students Spend a “Day in the Life of the Nissequogue River”

From Harbor Country Day School: More than 50 fifth through eighth grade students from Harbor Country Day School spent several hours on October 5th exploring, analyzing, and collecting data from one of Long Island’s most precious natural resources, the Nissequogue River. This year marked the fifth consecutive year that Harbor Country Day participated in this unique hands-on, real- world learning opportunity.

The annual Day in the Life of the Nissequogue River program, sponsored by the Central Pine Barrens Commission, Brookhaven National Laboratory, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Suffolk County Water Authority, brings students to the Nissequogue River in order to engage in hands-on “citizen science exploration” of the river.

Other Day in the Life events on Long Island this year will include similar visits to the Connetquot River, the Forge River, and various locations within the Peconic Estuary. During their time at the Nissequogue River, Harbor students used a seine net to collect and identify fish and macroinvertebrates; collected and analyzed water samples to monitor the river’s water quality; conducted a physical analysis of external forces affecting the river; and analyzed the rocks, minerals, and other characteristics of the river.

“We are grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in this fantastic program again this year” said John Cissel, Head of School at Harbor Country Day School. “This program is a perfect example of our mission to ‘cultivate wonder’ and ‘inspire confident learners and leaders,’as it brings the students’ classroom lessons to life in such an exciting and engaging way. The skills, experience, and insight they develop as a result of this program are priceless.”

All data the students collected is made public and is used for various environmental purposes, including tracking the health of the aquatic ecosystem and biodiversity of the Nissequogue River.

In addition, the program raises awareness among children about the importance of protecting Long Island’s aquatic ecosystems, especially as water quality issues continue to permeate Long Island.

Images via Harbor Country Day School