Friends of Oceanography Offer
Seal-Watching Field Trip

Narragansett, RI -- March 6, 2000 -- The URI Friends of Oceanography at the Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO) will host a land-based seal-watching field trip that will allow participants to observe the returning harbor seals from a non-intrusive vantage point.

The public is invited to join URI Outreach Scientist Cheryl Schroeder for a rigorous 6-mile round-trip hike from Boston Neck Road to the seal viewing site at spectacular Rome Point in North Kingston. The field trip will take place on Monday, March 20, at 12:30 p.m. Schroeder, a student at GSO, is conducting her graduate research on the harbor seals of Narragansett Bay under the guidance of Dr. Robert Kenney, a well-known expert in the field of marine mammals.

Participants should bring binoculars or spotting scopes and dress for the cold weather and wet trails.

The field trip is free and open to the public, but preregistration is required. For information or registration, call Friends of Oceanography at 874-6602.

Established in 1985 to support and promote the activities of the URI Graduate School of Oceanography, Friends of Oceanography informs and educates the membership and the general public about the scientific, technological, and environmental research that takes place at GSO. The organization sponsors public lectures, open houses, marine-related mini-courses, and field trips. Friends also holds annual fundraising auction to support fellowships for GSO students. For information about Friends of Oceanography, call 874-6602.

x-x-x

Visit the URI Graduate School of Oceanography website:

www.gso.uri.edu

Contact: Lisa Cugini, 874-6642, lcugini@gso.uri.edu