Sturgeon City Institutes 2004
Coverage by the Media Institute.

Advanced Marine Science
Salt Marsh Assignment
Thursday June 3rd 2004
By: Marcus Covey & Brittany Starzynski

Dr. Pat Dononvan-Potts

Teenagers from the Advanced Marine Sciences Institute took an adventure into an unfamiliar setting on Thursday: a salt marsh.
The students wore hip-waders to discover the importance of these marshes, and used nets to find out what types of organisms are living in the wetlands.

“The [students] learn techniques on how to use the different types of nets, different ways to use those to maximize their catch,” says Tami Dubois, a Water Quality Technician working with the Science Institutes. “They’re learning the different plants, animals and organisms that live on and around the salt marsh.”

Matt & Ashely

The students used the nets to catch several different types of fish. One of the most common fish that was seen in the marsh was the Gambusia or Mosquito Fish. Along with the fish seined with the net were a few crabs and a snapping turtle.
Marine scientist Pat Donovan-Potts was also on hand to help with the Science Institute. She realizes how much of a great thing the marsh and the coast are and she wants to share this with the students.
The ultimate goal is living in a coastal area where you have lots of different coastal habitats; it is a privilege. If you lived in the middle of the states in Kansas or somewhere like that, you would realize what a privilege it is. Donovan-Potts says “People spend millions of dollars to come to our coast every year to see and experience what we have everyday.”

Ramon and Kelly

The students learned how to take care of the marsh so that these organisms can continue to grow there. Potts says that’s the whole idea, involving the students in the Sturgeon City Institutes to learn and help improve the environment.
“With privilege comes responsibility and that’s what we’re trying to show them -- no wetlands, no seafood,” she said. “If we don’t protect our wetlands, then there is nowhere for these little tiny fish, little tiny shrimp and crabs to grow protected. Estuaries are extremely important, and so, we’re trying to show them the connection between predator, prey, estuary, and nursery.

In the marsh.

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