2024 Messing About in Boats: A day on the water at UConn Avery Point
Fri Sept 13th, Activities from 10A-3P
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 required as space is limited for some activities: https://forms.gle/jayvAzoTT9fTwtjU8. Registration will close on Thurs (9/12) 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: 10-11AM (registration suggested)
Location: Meet outside of room 103, Lowell Weicker Building
Dramatic and beautiful, Branford House is the centerpiece of the Avery Point campus. The family who designed, built and originally owned the waterfront mansion were a fascinating bunch whose wealth helped shape southeastern Connecticut in the early 1900s. This walking tour will focus on the Plant family: Morton, Nellie, Maisie, Henry, Amy and Philip, whose legacy runs deep in Groton and New London.
Science Seminar: The HMS Challenger 150th, Matthew Fontaine Maury, and Uses of Ocean Sciences History
Time: 11-12PM (registration suggested)
Location: Room 103, Lowell Weicker Building
Oceanographers started the field of history of marine sciences after World War 2, then left it to professional historians by the end of the century. Recently, several things have ignited ocean scientists’ interest in the history of their field, ranging from efforts to find, understand and use old data to social justice issues. This talk looks at widely recognized “starting points” – the British HMS Challenger expedition and the purported US “founder” of oceanography, Matthew Fontaine Maury – to reflect on the uses of history for marine sciences today.Presentation will be given by Helen M. Rozwadowski, a professor of History and founder the Maritime Studies program at the University of Connecticut, Avery Point.
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.
Kayaking, Lunch at Pine Island
Time: 12PM-1PM (registration required)
Location: Meet at the rocky beach, behind the Lowell Weicker Building
Sign up for lunch or bring your own and enjoy it after a short, guided paddle over to Pine Island. 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
This year there are two opportunities to row! 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. You can also give Irish rowing a try with the Currach Rowers. The design of a currach is 2,000 years old, built for fishing in the wild Irish Sea and northern Atlantic, and now mainly used competitively. Life jackets are required – bring and wear a USCG Approved life jacket (PFD) or borrow one of ours. Wear appropriate clothing for being on the water. Wear soft-soled shoes (old sneakers are perfect). No bare feet or flip flops. Hats, sunblock, and a water bottle are also recommended.
Noticing Nature
Time: Any time throughout day (registration suggested)
Location: Registration table
Enter to win a prize by visiting two sites on campus, finding unique natural features, and describing them with drawings and/or prose or poetry descriptions. Nature journals and pencils will be providedat the registration table.
Scavenger Hunt
Time: Any time throughout day (registration suggested)
Location: Registration table
Enter to win a prize by visiting completing the scavenger hunt. All instructions and materials will be provided at the registration table.
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 6.