- A group opportunity. Invite your friends.
-
18 people are interested
Help the Smithsonian Track Invasive Parasites in Chesapeake Bay
ORGANIZATION: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Please visit the new page to apply.
- A group opportunity. Invite your friends.
-
18 people are interested
An introduced parasite is affecting native mud crabs in Chesapeake Bay. The parasite Loxothylacus panopaei (Loxo for short) is a parasitic barnacle that takes over the nervous system of the crab and make the crab care for the parasite and the parasite's larvae! Loxo are native to the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. They were first discovered in Chesapeake Bay in 1964. The parasite is now common in the Bay, but its abundance and spread vary greatly from year to year. Scientists in SERC's Marine Invasions Lab have been tracking to abundance of Loxo from sites around Chesapeake Bay since 2003.
We welcome volunteers age 12+, although all volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a participating parent/guardian. We can accommodate a maximum of 6 volunteers under the age of 16 per sampling session, and volunteers under the age of 16 may only sign-up for one half day session per day unless prior permission has been received. Please let me know if you have any questions about this.
We will be working at the SERC dock in Edgewater, MD on August 10, 11, 17, and 18. On August 9, we will be working at Jefferson Patterson Park in St. Leonard, MD and on August 16, we will be working at the Cooperative Oxford Laboratory in Oxford, MD. Please note that transportation to Oxford and St. Leonard will not be provided.
End times are approximate, and we may end earlier. The session times varies depending on the number of crabs in the sample.
We HAVE TO KNOW how many people we will have at a given sampling session so that we only bring in as many mud crab habitats as we have volunteers to sort through them (once they come in, they have to be sorted!), so please let me know ASAP if you need to cancel or change the times that you've signed up for. We understand that emergencies do happen, but please give us as much notice as possible so that we can adjust accordingly.
Please contact Alison Cawood (cawooda@si.edu, 443-482-2271) if you have any questions.
More opportunities with Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
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About Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Location:
647 Contees Wharf Road, Edgewater, MD 21037, US
Mission Statement
The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) leads the Nation in research on linkages
of land and water ecosystems in the coastal zone and provides society with knowledge to meet critical environmental challenges
in the 21st century.
Description
The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) is looking for people who are interested in participating in environmental science research. Volunteer opportunities can accommodate a variety of interests including working in the laboratory or the field on topics ranging from colonial archaeology to forest biodiversity to water quality. We are also looking for volunteers to assist in our education department and assist with activities like leading field trips and canoe excursions, helping in classrooms, and maintaining aquariums and gardens. No specific experience is required and all appropriate training will be provided.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
647 Contees Wharf RoadEdgewater, MD 21037
DATE POSTED
August 2, 2019
SKILLS
GOOD FOR
- Teens
- People 55+
- Group
REQUIREMENTS
- Must be at least 12
- 3 hours