That Explores the Fascinating World of Coastal Waters
Narragansett, RI — November 19, 2001 — Those who wish to take a close-up view of the creatures that inhabit Narragansett Bay can now do so without getting wet. They just have travel via the Internet to the Discovery of Estuarine Environments website.
The URI Office of Marine Programs (OMP) launched the website today that allows viewers to take a virtual field trip into the depths of the Bay to look at beautiful sea anemones, the variegated torsos of black sea bass and mackeral, otherworldly blood worms and clam worms, and a colorful variety of crabs and lobsters. Add this to web pages describing the history, culture, management, and science of Narragansett Bay and other estuaries, and parents, teachers, and children of all ages have an educational and entertainment resource that can enhance learning in the classroom and the home.
Located at http://omp.gso.uri.edu/doee.htm, the website complements the successful Discovery of Coastal Environments site, launched in 1998, that continues to generate more than 50,000 hits per month. In addition to explaining exactly what an estuary is and taking the visitor on a virtual field trip, the new site includes information about estuarine science, water properties, biological communities, shipping and navigation, fisheries and aquaculture, invasive species, pollution, and history and culture from before European colonization to the present day.
The site was developed by the University of Rhode Islands Office of Marine Programs with funding from the RI Eisenhower Program for Professional Development, and EPAs EMPACT Project, through the Narragansett Bay Commission.
Established in 1986 as the marine and environmental outreach arm of URIs Office of the Vice Provost for Marine Programs, OMPs targeted audiences include educators and students at all levels, the general public, volunteers, scientists and engineers, journalists and the media, alumni, donors, and friends of the Graduate School of Oceanography. Housed in the Coastal Institute at URIs Narragansett Bay Campus, OMP outreach efforts are focused in the areas of marine and environmental education and science communications.
Visit Discovery of Estuarine Environments http://omp.gso.uri.edu/doee.htm
Contact: Lisa Cugini, (401) 874-6642 lcugini@gso.uri.edu