Equipped with nets and waders, the Green Girls – a City Parks Foundation program – marched their way into the East River taking water samples and searching for wildlife.
“We found jellyfish that don’t sting and snapper fish . . . they were really slimy,” said student Amanda Prescott.
Thirty middle school girls from the Green Girls Institute gathered together at Hallets Cove in Astoria on Friday, July 23, with marine wildlife expert and Coastal Classroom educator, Dennis Haber to conduct tests on the quality of the water and how the ecology has changed over the years. Above all, Haber wants to create an interactive experience that will spark his participants’ interest.
“We try to get [the students] out into the field so they can experience first hand how wonderful [Hallets Cove] is and can be. We hope that it leads to lighting a fuse in them and they will want to learn more about the environment that they are experiencing,” said Haber.
With the help of Green Girls director Danielle Rolli, the students split up into two groups; one of which collected water samples, testing PH, nitrate, oxygen and phosphorus levels, while the others used seine nets to collect flora and fauna for sampling, observation and identification. The students were able to catch bait fish from the pike family, various types of sea-weeds, Atlantic silversides and other breeds. The goal in the day’s activities was to help the students understand how their actions can affect the natural world around them.
“Being a green girl means taking care of the environment and paying attention to how you live daily,” said Cassandra Hatler.
“It means being eco-friendly,” said student Vanessa Taylor, who spoke about the importance of recycling and sorting out garbage.
A point not lost on the educators involved with the Coastal Classroom is the establishment of interest within young girls who may want to choose science and ecology as a future profession.
“Programs like the Green Girls are critical,” said Haber. “A lot of girls and urban youth populations are just starting to find out that there are efforts being made toward reaching them and get their interest on a professional level.”
