science

Striped Bass Satellite Tag Found

/ Jason Major / Leave a comment
After scanning the perimeter of North Cove, the search narrowed in on the Phragmites marsh. 

Prof. Brian Prendergast saw that the satellite tag on a striped bass he was tracking had detached and was floating near Salter Grove. He contacted FoSG for support in locating the tag so we reached out to members and collaborators. 

Brian Prendergast smiles as his detector indicates the satellite tag is nearby. 
Heather Kinney of TNC’s Coastal Restoration Team found the satellite tag buried under reeds. 

After recovery, the tag was passed to Scott Bennett, Program Manager of the Striped Bass Initiative who had joined the search from the Marine Biological Laboratory. He will download the data so the striped bass’s migration track can be traced.  A very interesting discovery of this research is that at least some of the older fish hole up in coastal ponds during the summer where they conserve energy by remaining relatively inactive. This confirms the reports of fishers that the same fish show up annually. 

An Enlightening Outdoor Experience 

/ Jason Major / Leave a comment

On June 1st, 2023, 4th- and 5th-graders from St. Peter School walked to Salter Grove accompanied by three teachers and five 8th-grade honor students. 

Students and teachers from St. Peter School

During the 90-minute visit, information from the Guide to Salter Grove was accessed by smartphone to to explore and learn about the ecological assets of the park. 

Talking about what will be seen on the nature trails. 

Science topics discussed in the classroom came to life for students and teachers alike. 

Students recorded observations in journals.

Organized into small groups, they walked along nature trails to observation stations that featured examples of: glacial history and geology of Rhode Island; native versus introduced plants; impact of invasive plants; different kinds of aquatic and terrestrial habitats; tolerance of marsh plants to brackish water; and human impact on the environment. 

Examining glacial striations along Upland Trail. 

And all this, from just six of 23 observation stations! 

Inside the knotweed jungle. 

Dr. Susan Unger, the science teacher who organized this field trip, would like to continue using Salter Grove as an outdoor classroom. Future field trips would focus on fewer topics so students can dive more deeply into the subject matter. Instead of simply noting down observations, they could collect data to answer specific questions formulated during classroom discussion. 

See more photos from the St. Peter School field trip below:

(Photos by FoSG member Jason Major)