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The first New York Sea Grant Launch Stewards include Matt Brincka, far right, of Webster. Brincka and - front row left to right: Ashley Regan, Nick Spear and Julia Gilbert, and - back row left to right: - Shelby Persons and Kyle Teufel are participating in a nationwide campaign to educate boaters about how to inspect their vessels to help slow the spread of aquatic invasive species.
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Oswego, NY, July 12, 2012 -- The first New York Sea
Grant Launch Stewards are now at public boat launch sites along Lake Ontario,
Oneida Lake and the Salmon River. The six stewards are participating in a
nationwide campaign educating boaters about how to inspect their vessels to
help slow the spread of aquatic invasive species. Boaters in New York State
participate in the inspections voluntarily.
The 2012 New York Sea Grant Launch
Stewards are:
· Matthew Brincka of Webster, NY, a SUNY College of Environmental
Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) graduate with a degree in Resource Management;
· Julia Gilbert of Phoenix, NY, a sophomore at SUNY Canton, majoring
in Engineering Science with an interest in alternative energy and the
environment;
· Shelby Persons of Baldwinsville, NY, a SUNY Cortland Conservation
Biology graduate with a Chemistry minor
· Ashley Regan of Baldwinsville, NY, a senior at Canisius College,
majoring in Environmental Studies with an interest in environmental economics
· Nicholas Spera of Brewerton, NY, Nazareth College graduate with a
concentration in Environmental Science and Psychology; and
New York Sea Grant Community Development Specialist
Mary Penney, based at SUNY Oswego, leads the environment-focused workforce
development initiative.
“This type of ‘in-the-environment’
employment is a great way for students to gain valuable experience through
public interaction and education opportunities. They research a chosen aquatic
invasive species topic and prepare a public information program and materials.
They also engage citizens one-on-one on timely, need-to-know issues of local
interest,” Penney said.
The stewards’ observations and
documentation of aquatic invasive species is useful to local resource managers
and such organizations and agencies as the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation.
The students’ career aspirations
include becoming environmental resource managers, marine biologists, and
teachers.
For more information on upcoming NYSG Launch
Steward public programs, including water chestnut pulls and information on
composting aquatic invasive species, contact New York Sea Grant, 315-312-3042
or check the web at www.nyseagrant.org/ccd.
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More Info:
New York
Sea Grant (NYSG), a cooperative program of Cornell University and the State
University of New York is one of 32 university-based programs under the
National Sea Grant College Program (NSGCP) of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Through its statewide network of integrated
services, NYSG has been promoting coastal vitality, environmental
sustainability, and citizen awareness about the State’s marine and Great Lakes
resources since 1971. For updates on New York Sea Grant activities, www.nyseagrant.org has RSS, Facebook,
Twitter and YouTube links. #
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Gil Burgess Said,
A very worthwhile program!
Posted on Fri Jul 13, 08:09:00 AM EDT