West science students pay it forward

It’s an annual trip High School West science students take to Blydenburg Park to document changes all along the Nissequogue River.

Working with staff from Western Suffolk BOCES and Seatuck Environmental Center, students in the College Marine Ecology courses participated in a baseline study of biodiversity all along the Nissequogue River using tools like the iNaturalist, Merlin Bird id apps, spotting scopes, and binoculars.

In addition to conducting water quality testing, students identified several species of turtles, a bald eagle, osprey, cormorant, and a variety of insect species. The goal is for each year's class of students to add to the body of knowledge about this fragile ecosystem and document changes over the years.

Students also collected trash along the way and left the river and watershed better than they found it!