More than 5,000 students from over 90 schools are expected to participate in the 23rd annual “Day in the Life of the Hudson and Harbor” event on October 15, according to an announcement by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton. The event will take place at more than 100 waterfront locations along the Hudson River Estuary and New York Harbor.
Commissioner Lefton stated, “DEC’s annual ‘Day in the Life’ event gives students up and down the river the unique opportunity to experience the tidal Hudson’s diverse habitats, fish, and wildlife. From the Troy dam to New York Harbor, the Hudson River is ecologically invaluable to our state and much of the Atlantic coast. This annual event gives students of all ages the chance to go down to the river and learn about the environment up close, and it’s just one of the ways New York is inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.”
Students ranging from elementary school through college will work with DEC staff and environmental education centers to gather scientific data about the river’s ecology. Using field techniques such as seine nets, minnow pots, and water testing equipment, participants will document fish species, invertebrates, water chemistry, and tidal patterns. The data collected during the event will be published online after its completion.
“Day in the Life” also provides opportunities for students to use waders or fishing rods to sample some of the Hudson’s more than 200 fish species. Students may encounter species such as seahorses, conger eels, and needle fish. In addition to studying the river’s wildlife, participants will analyze physical and chemical properties using dissolved oxygen and pH kits, refractometers, and hydrometers to track the salt front in the estuary.
DEC’s Estuary Program staff are involved in connecting the field experience with classroom learning through pre- and post-event visits to participating schools. These activities are designed to meet state educational standards and help students interpret their findings in a broader ecological context.
This year’s event includes activities along the Mohawk River, a major tributary to the Hudson. Twenty-five teachers and partners are engaging students in hands-on data collection and exploration tailored to non-tidal river environments.
The event is organized by DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program in partnership with the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Columbia Climate School Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.
Participating schools are located in areas such as Schoharie County, Albany County, Dutchess County, Ulster County, Westchester County, and the Bronx, with activities scheduled throughout the day at various waterfront parks and educational centers.
