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The Island View
Monthly Newsletter
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Photo by Collin Love, Appledore Island, August 2020 |
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Dear SML Community,
The cedar waxwings are chattering in the trees and whirling in the skies over the ocean as I look across the water from the mainland to Appledore Island. The island is all buttoned up for the winter thanks to the careful work of the SML staff. Now, most of us are taking a deep breath as we adjust to mainland life once again. Forgive me if I am repeating myself, but I am deeply honored and thankful to work with the SML team. They astonish me with their dedication and hard work in the face of so much stress and uncertainty.
You, like me, are probably hearing a lot in the news about the uncertain future of higher education in our country. The value of in-person learning and the importance of safety offered by online pathways is a challenging conversation to navigate. Of course, this makes me think about what the future holds for SML. Naturally, I don’t know what the COVID situation will be next spring, but I can say this: I know from experience that offering students a wide variety of learning modes is the best thing we can do to enhance their success.
With the new technology we employed and the online educational resources we developed, I am confident that our team has the resiliency, grit, and know-how to tackle the uncertainties that lie ahead. We are excited to have you by our side as we guide the next generation of scientists who will help address the needs of our changing world.
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With deep appreciation and warm wishes, |
Jennifer Seavey, Ph.D.
Kingsbury Executive Director
Shoals Marine Laboratory
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Working Towards a Diverse and Inclusive Future |
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At SML, we believe the sustainability of our oceans depends on embracing a rich diversity of talent, perspectives, cultures, and experiences. We have a long way to go to make that a reality. In light of recent racial injustices, we have taken a hard look at ourselves, diversity at SML, and importantly, our policies and practices. While we have taken action to enhance inclusivity and equity within SML, they are only the first steps, and we must do more. We are committing to fostering a culture of equity that will build a broader foundation for inclusive science, education, and outreach. You can read our full Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement on our website.
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The Marine Science Resources Page is LIVE! |
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As a marine field station whose primary mode of education is hands-on learning, we knew it was time to get creative when we determined our classes were shifting online. Therefore, we turned on the cameras, squeezed into our wetsuits, and dove headfirst into creating content that would connect our students to the natural wonders surrounding Appledore Island.
After spending weeks filming above the intertidal and below the surface, we have developed videos that have been conveniently packaged in YouTube playlists and are now accessible upon request. These videos, ranging from intertidal ecology to physical oceanography, can be embedded in PowerPoint presentations, zoom calls, and other various platforms. We are excited to share this content that highlights the organisms and ecology of our field station and hope they are useful to educators and researchers alike. For more information on how to view these videos, visit our Marine Science Resources page.
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Terrestrial, squid, & crab video by David Brown, underwater video & editing by Collin Love, Aerial video by Forrest Seavey |
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For many of our longterm community members, 2020 was the first year in decades they were unable to visit Appledore Island. We understand breaking a streak like that is difficult, but we hope this video showcasing the quiet but vibrant island ecosystems brings joy to those who missed a visit to the lab this summer. Enjoy!
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Lasting Impressions of John B. Heiser by Mark Forman |
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“I’d like to break you of that habit."
That’s one of my first memories of John Heiser, who was the director of Shoals Marine Lab when I first met him in 1985. The “habit” was calling a gull a “seagull.” My recollection is he said something like, “there are more than 40 species of gulls in the world, and not one of them is called a seagull.” He had a gift for saying things like that in a way that cast no judgment or shame—just a good-natured prompt for precision.
I remember him saying after the final exam for Field Marine Science 1 in 1986 that the correct answer to one question was “double-crested cormorant” and “cormorant” only counted for half credit. How could I remember that almost 35 years later? I think it’s because there was something so special about the way J.B. taught and connected with people...
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Supporting SML for the Future of Science |
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SML supporter & community member, Jude Blake
(photo from previous season)
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A few summers ago, I had the opportunity to visit Shoals Marine Lab on Appledore Island and experience first-hand the positive impact that the SML living and learning environment was having on students.
I realized those students and the work they were doing is our collective future. Their research and findings are shared throughout the globe. I wanted to ensure that Shoals Marine Lab could provide students with the opportunities to live and learn and do things that will shape our environment for years to come.
I made an annual fund gift to SML and continue to do so. No gift is too small to make an impact. But I knew I could make a bigger gift to endow student programming and scholarships through a planned gift...
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Follow us on social media: |
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Shoals Marine Laboratory is a joint partnership between
Cornell University and the University of New Hampshire.
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