Fri Sept 15th, Activities from 9:30-3:00
UConn Avery Point, 1084 Shennecossett Rd, Groton, CT 06340
This event is only open to UConn students, faculty, and staff (all campuses are welcome!).
Join us for a day of fishing, kayaking, rowing, and exploring. No experience, equipment, or skill needed. Just come and have fun! Registration is strongly required as space is limited for some activities: https://forms.gle/2p9VcsPHqd8FcjE16. Registration will close on Thurs (9/14) at 9AM.
Questions? Contact the CT Reserve’s Education Coordinator, Larissa, at Larissa.Graham@uconn.edu
This event is sponsored by the Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve, Connecticut Sea Grant, Project Oceanology, The John Gardner chapter of the Traditional Small Craft Association, UConn Department of Marine Sciences, UConn Avery Point’s Waterfront Program, and UConn Avery Point campus.
Description of Activities:
Catch and Release Sportfishing
Time: 10AM-12PM or 1PM-3PM (registration required)
Location: Project O cafeteria
Climb aboard Project O’s research vessel and head into Long Island Sound to sample for bottom fish through sportfishing. Use a fishing pole to catch fish, identify and measure your catch! Discussion will focus on species IDs and form and function of fish. All fishing equipment will be provided. Please wear closed-toed shoes aboard the boat. We recommend you also bring a water bottle, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses.
Walking Tour: “The Plant family: Shaping Avery Point in the Gilded Age”
Time: 11AM-12PM (registration suggested)
Location: Meet outside of room 103, Lowell Weicker Building
Morton F. Plant was a wealthy 19th century industrialist and yachtsman who built Branford House at the turn of the 20th century to serve as his family’s summer home. He also had a hand in developing much of Eastern Point. He owned hundreds of acres of land that encompassed what is now the Avery Point campus and extended to include the current footprint of Groton-New London Airport, Shennecossett Golf Club and other properties in the shoreline neighborhood. Besides Branford House, numerous buildings currently at Avery Point were part of the Plant estate and were integral to the expansive farm and resort area of Eastern Point. Led by Gail MacDonald, Professor in Residence with UConn’s Department of Journalism.
Beach Clean Up on Pine Island
Time: 1PM-3PM (registration required)
Location: Project O cafeteria
The oceans are increasingly impacted by marine debris, particularly plastics. Participate in a beach clean-up on a local island and learn about how debris in the ocean affects the organisms living there. We’ll record and categorize the trash collected, participate in a global citizen science effort by logging our trash with the Ocean Conservancy. We’ll travel by skiff to the island so please wear shoes you don’t mind getting wet such as crocs, keens or an old pair of sneakers. We recommend you also bring a water bottle, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses.
Kayaking, group-led
Time: 10AM-11AM, 11AM-12PM, 1PM-2PM, or 2PM-3PM (registration required)
Location: Meet at the rocky beach, behind the Lowell Weicker Building
Group kayak paddles and rows will occur in Pine Island Bay and possibly around Pine Island, Bushy Point (Island), and the Bluff Point Beach area, weather-dependent. Life jackets are required – bring and wear a USCG Approved life jacket (PFD) or borrow one of ours. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for beach launching, being on the water, and exploring shorelines. Hats, sunblock, and a water bottle are also recommended.
Rowing
Time: 10AM-11AM, 11AM-12PM, 1PM-2PM, or 2PM-3PM (registration required)
Location: Meet at the rocky beach, behind the Lowell Weicker Building
The John Gardner Chapter of the Traditional small craft Association will offer participants the opportunity to take a traditional Dory for a row. The boats are “Hybrid Avery Point Dories” modeled after traditional Grand Banks fishing Dories. They are built lighter and are set up for “Gunkholing” perfect for exploring the estuarine coastal areas found here at the mouth of the Thames and Poquonnock rivers. Life jackets are required – bring and wear a USCG Approved life jacket (PFD) or borrow one of ours. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for beach launching, being on the water, and exploring shorelines. Hats, sunblock, and a water bottle are also recommended.
Scavenger Hunt (Win a prize!)
Time: Throughout the day
Location: Pick up your list at the Registration Table, located on campus green between LWB and BH
The Avery Point campus is your life-sized gameboard as you follow clues on foot to collect and photograph specific items and places related to boating and marine science. This activity will take 90 minutes or less and can be done individually or in teams. The first 50 people to finish the scavenger hunt will receive a prize courtesy of Connecticut Sea Grant.
UConn complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination, equal opportunity, affirmative action, and providing reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Larissa.Graham@uconn.edu by Friday, September 8.