Event name:
April 19, Hornpoint laboratory:
Hornpoint laboratory was a great and eye opening experience for me. They are working at the new innovations and measures and refining or continuing older measures to protect against climate change. I noticed 3 major projects they are currently working on during my tour: oyster breeding and nurturing, algae growth for aquaculture and feeding oysters, and oyster castles to protect against sea level rise flooding.
In the past few centuries oyster populations were decimated. They need very specific conditions to breed and they are an integral part of the ecosystem due to their important ability to filter water through filter feeding. They have been recovering for the last decade or so due to institutions doing research and supplementing their breeding like horn point. At hornpoint and other bay sites oyster populations are being measured and estimated each year by scientists. Many water quality measures are being measured as well such as temperature, PH, Turbidity and more. They have been breeding oysters, helping them with ideal conditions to breed, attach to shells and prosper.
They also worked on algae growth for oyster and other aquaculture food supply. Raising oysters needs lots of nutrients. Scientists are raising algae in a brewing like way to ensure their oysters are well fed.They are researching and raising and selling algae themselves. Different algae for different stages of growth or different species. With many different algae being grown.
Probably the most interesting project to me was their oyster castles which is in progress. Oyster castles are being experimented on to help mitigate flooding and account for sea level rise. Sea level rise and flooding is becoming more of a problem. As sea level rises our flooding measures become less and less effective, Scientists are measuring sea level rise and also flooding and coats being pushed back. Oyster castles are being researched so that they can grow in size and not have to be built to match sea level rise. They may be able to grow upwards and act as a growing barrier against floods. Horn point laboratory hosts tours to teach people and partners with schools like UMD to teach students about their important climate work.
After visiting Hornpoint we also made a visit to the nearby Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, A wildlife refuge to give endangered or struggling species a good place to live, breed, stop by, and be monitored. We participated in the wildlife drive and only left the vehicle once while still being able to experience many of the beautiful and wildlife and coastal swamp environment. We were able to see Egrets, Herons, Turtles, Muskrat nests and many more birds. This drive helps as a outreach as many people do not want to leave their cars and hike. But through the wildlife drive even those people are able to experience nature and see many beautiful birds and other wildlife.