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We are thrilled to announce the return of the Greenwich Point Pollution Patrol (GPPP). GPPP is open to anyone who wants to join. Simply stop by the Seaside Center and ask for one of our litter collection bins, fill it up and bring it back. It’s that simple to become a valued Pollution Patroller. Need more motivation? Once you’ve filled up ten buckets you will receive a free ice cream! Ice cream doesn’t have to be your only motivator though, collecting litter along waterways has numerous benefits. This simple task helps the community, makes you feel productive while learning about the importance of keeping rubbish out of Long Island Sound and prevents wildlife from chancing upon it.

When litter gets into waterways, chances are it will harm aquatic ecosystems. Litter poses a real threat to local wildlife when it is confused for food or nesting materials. Removing litter from Long Island Sound saves wild animals and fish from ingesting unnatural substances that can destroy species. Marine litter can be deadly to seabirds, sea turtles and marine mammals. We want to do everything we can to prevent any harm to our beloved neighbors living in and around Long Island Sound.

A little bit about the water we are protecting….

Long Island Sound is Connecticut’s largest natural resource. The Sound is used by ferries, ships, and barges to transport goods. Boaters, bird watchers, anglers and sunbathers alike all enjoy the beaches. Commercial Shellfishers and Anglers make a living from their catches. By providing these uses and the recreational opportunities it serves, Long Island Sound is among the most important and valuable estuaries in the nation. In 1987, Congress designated Long Island Sound an Estuary of National Significance. How cool is that?!

To compliment our “Save Long Island Sound” theme last Sunday, we dove into what happens to birds feathers when there is oil in the water:

Science Sunday Week 3: Oily Feathers

Our scientists spent the morning nature walk doing fieldwork – collecting feathers for our experiment. Our goal was to examine how oil spilled into water can affect swimming birds. Both contour and down feathers were collected during our fieldwork, so we tested both to see what happens when they get wet with plain water vs. wet with oily water. In short, we discovered oil is terrible for the birds.

Contour feathers protect the bird from the environment, while down feathers provide insulation. When oil sticks to a bird’s feathers, it causes matting and separation. This can expose the bird’s skin to extremes in temperature as well as make it impossible to fly. A bird will also instinctively begin preening itself to remove the oil. By ingesting oil, the bird can cause severe damage to its internal organs. No one wants that! See below for some findings from a few of our standout scientists and No Waste in Our Water Warriors!

If you want to do your own experiment at home, follow the instructions on the below lab notebook entry. Stop by the Seaside Center and tell us your findings.