A newsletter from the Prince William Sound Science Center | |
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Research vessel New Wave on Prince William Sound during a November cruise. Photo by PWSSC Research Technician, Jess Pretty. | |
Plankton paper published in Estuaries and Coasts
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Prince William Sound Science Center researcher Dr. Rob Campbell, along with Dr. Xiuning Du, University of Oregon and Dr. Steve Kibler, NOAA were recently published in Estuaries and Coasts.
The paper is titled "Seasonal Changes of Microphytoplankton Community in Prince William Sound, Alaska in 2019."
Phytoplankton are microscopic plants that form the base of the marine food web. They are consumed by zooplankton (tiny animals) that are a critical food source for larger animals like fish, birds, and whales. So even though they are microscopic, it is critical to continue observing the seasonal and annual changes of phytoplankton populations in Prince William Sound.
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Funding received to study plastics in shorebirds | |
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Dr. Mary Anne Bishop was recently awarded $5,000 from the Hurtigruten Foundation to study plastic ingestion by migrant shorebirds during spring on Alaska’s Copper River Delta.
Estuary coastlines tend to have elevated levels of plastics pollution. Because many shorebird populations are declining, determining impacts of plastics pollution exposure and ingestion by shorebirds is important.
The Copper River Delta hosts several million shorebirds each spring that stop to rest and forage while enroute to their breeding grounds. At Hartney Bay, an accessible shorebird viewing area, Dr. Bishop and her team will capture shorebirds with a mist net, sample, band, and then release them.
This work is in cooperation with Environment Canada and part of a larger Pacific Coast effort. Environment Canada’s laboratory will analyze the shorebird fecal samples for plastics.
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The Oil Spill Recovery Institute, housed and administered by PWSSC, funds important research projects and puts the findings directly to work in Alaskan communities. The move into the new PWSSC building is not the only move that has happened recently. OSRI updated its website which can now be found at OSRI.us. You can also access it on the PWSSC homepage. OSRI also adopted a new logo that includes a stylized image of oil, boom, and clean water.
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Starting in December, we will introduce a monthly theme to thread a cohesive message through our education programs and to highlight ongoing research and monitoring projects. We begin with "plankton month!"
The word plankton comes from the Greek word planktos, which means "to drift" or "to float." According to MIT, there are more plankton in the ocean than there are stars in the sky. For Cordovans, the ocean is, quite literally, our backyard as well as our source of work, play, and subsistence. We believe we should understand what is happening in our backyard. That is why scientists Dr. Rob Campbell and Jessica Pretty study plankton in Prince William Sound.
Click here to read more interesting facts about plankton and follow us on our social media channels to learn more over the course of plankton month.
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Community events calendar for December | |
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We hope you can join us in December for some science fun! All programs will take place at the Prince William Sound Science Center.
December 13: Plankton Open House, 5-7pm, everyone is welcome
December 14: Family Astronomy, 6:30-8pm, families of all ages welcome
December 16: Fun Friday: Snow, 2:30-3:30pm, for families with kids in grades K-4
December 18: Yoga: Plankton, 7-8pm
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Education month in review | |
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November was a very busy for the education department! Click here or the images below to read details about each program.
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The fifth grade class took a field trip to collect salmon eggs and milt for the salmon tank. Were they successful?
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PWSSC educators brought the ROV Challenge to WhaleFest in Sitka. Usually it takes place in a community swimming pool or boat harbor, but this time it was someplace new. Can you guess where?
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Little Dippers, our nature-based preschool group, had many fall-themed adventures. What sorts of treasures did they find and explore?
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We hosted two family friendly programs: Sea Squirts and Fun Friday! Sea Squirts, for kids ages 3-5, learned about balance. Fun Friday, for families with kids in grades K-4, left much wiser after attending this program. What or who do you think they studied?
- We slowed things down with a hibernation-themed yoga night led by Aviva. Participants held poses that slowed their breathing and conserved energy, similar to a bear going into hibernation.
- The month was capped off with a plankton-themed trivia night at The Reluctant Fisherman. It was our biggest crowd yet, with seven teams competing. Thank you to Jess Pretty, our research technician, for hosting such a fun-filled night!
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Left: Lauren Bien, education director, leads a Fun Friday activity. Right: High school students compete in the ROV Challenge at WhaleFest in Sitka. | |
PWSSC Welcomes Esa Mayo-Pitts | |
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Esa arrived in Cordova this fall to join our education team. He is a recent college graduate with a degree in Environmental Science and a passion for looking at critters. Esa recently completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. He is of below average height but has above average crab walking abilities.
Growing up in Virginia, Esa developed a love for moving water and was attracted by the mysteries of the Copper River. He is excited to be serving as an AmeriCorps Member.
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The Prince William SoundScience Center is committed to resilient communities and healthy ecosystems.
We need your help now more than ever. If you believe in our mission and care about what we do, please consider making a donation today. Every dollar helps us stay stable during these uncertain times.
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