If any of us thought that the introduction week would be
easy – we were wrong. Our first day was filled with a grueling swim test that
left us all utterly exhausted. With no time for rest, we were also tasked with
a literature critique that night which was a bonding experience all in itself.
The next day, we were off to the GTMNERR (that is, the Guana Tolomato Matanzas
National Estuarine Research Reserve - what a mouthful!) for some fun in the mud – marsh mud, to be
exact. At the GTMNERR, we aided in three research experiments. These
experiments included harvesting Spartina alterniflora plugs for a living shoreline project, learning to fly a
drone used to monitor marsh movement, and taking environmental and water
quality data. We finished the day with a fun and informational kayaking trip
through part of the reserve. Overall, this was a great way to hit the ground
running and get to know the great group of people we’re working with for these next five weeks!
Harvesting Spartina plugs (Photo creds: Corey Corrick) |
Aerial drone selfie |
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