Mariton: Micro-Organisms of the Raritan Estuary

by Tim Burris, Preserve Manager

(Getting ready to do the field work.)

Learn more about aquatic systems, especially those in the Raritan Estuary.  Dr. Megan Rothenberger will present some of her research findings on Friday, January 24 at 8:00 p.m. in Mariton’s Nature Center.  Dr. Rothenberger is a professor at Lafayette College.  She has been studying phytoplankton and several other ecological indicator species in the Raritan Bay.  Sounds complicated.  It is, but many of the species she is studying are the building blocks of aquatic food chains.  So they affect water quality, fish, fishermen, boaters, and swimmers.  It affects all of us.  That is why it is important and fascinating.

(Dr. Rothenberger in her field office.)

Most of us were brainwashed at some point to think that scientists were stuffy people in lab coats with no sense of humor, and no common sense.  Funny thing is I know quite a few scientists and they aren’t like that at all.  They are funny.  They are really good at explaining their research in ways that everyone can understand.  They are passionate about their studies and make learning exciting.

I hope you’ll join us for Dr. Rothenberger’s presentation on Friday, January 24 at 8:00 p.m.  I can’t think of a better person to tell us about how these systems work and why it matters to us.