"A Day in the Life"

One of the most successful programs organized by the Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission is the “A Day in the Life” program, in which students from schools all throughout the Central Pine Barrens region and beyond spend a day studying the ecosystems of Long Island’s many rivers and estuaries.

The program has expanded greatly in recent years, now involving approximately 4,000 students and 50 school districts assisted by more than 130 teachers, dozens of partner agencies and hundreds of natural history experts and science teachers. River systems studied now include the Carmans River, Connetquot River, Nissequogue River and Peconic Estuary, among other areas explored.

“A Day in the Life” allows students to conduct student science at each site to discover how the river they’re studying fits into the larger ecosystem. Students examine the physical and chemical aspects of each aquatic ecosystem, such as salinity and the presence of nitrates, phosphates and oxygen levels in the water.  Students also conduct biodiversity inventories of the flora and fauna in and around the river or estuary.

The program is coordinated by the commission in conjunction with Brookhaven National Laboratory and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

To learn more about these exciting field programs and how to get involved contact our Educational Outreach and Communications Coordinator Tim Motz at tmotz@scwa.com or call 631-563-0396.