Dear SML Community,

 

As we transition from August to September, I am reflecting on all the amazing programming offered this summer at Shoals Marine Laboratory. There are so many things that go into making a summer at Shoals successful and I am grateful for the many people who supported our programming this year. Our academic courses were supported by a team of talented faculty and teaching assistants. Hundreds of visitors were led by marine docents during tours of Celia’s island garden. The hardworking SML staff supported every aspect of our summer programs and were instrumental in building a strong sense of community on the island.

There were so many memorable moments this summer and it is impossible to capture them all in a single newsletter. One of the many inspiring things that occurred was the Undergraduate Research Symposium. The symposium, held on August 12, provided all our undergraduate researchers an opportunity to share the results of their summer-long independent research projects. Topics ranged from the circadian rhythm of our beloved hagfish to the molting phenology of harbor seals. This annual symposium falls at the end of our academic programs and is the culmination of a tremendous amount of hard work and learning for our students. This summer’s event served as a strong reminder that the educational and research mission of the lab is alive and well.

 

Thanks to each and every one of you for helping the lab meet our mission of providing outstanding experiential, place-based education and innovative research programs.

 

With much gratitude,

On Friday, August 12th, Kiggins Commons was packed by Shoalers to witness the culmination of a summer's worth of research done by some exceptional students. The audience observed presentations on seal biology, fisheries, crustacean science, intertidal ecology, and other independently conducted research studies. The day included plenty of laughs, hugs, and celebration to honor the students' hard work this summer.

 

The summer-long SML Undergraduate Research Group is a hallmark program at SML. It is renowned for launching undergraduate college students into the world of scientific research. Undergraduates conduct independent research alongside faculty mentors and SML scientists, combining new areas of discovery with ongoing, long-term monitoring. These research opportunities provide invaluable experience and help develop skills that increase marketability when it's time to apply to graduate school or pursue career aspirations. 

 

The Shoals staff was grateful to have a full house on island for these presentations as well as many more viewers on Zoom. If you are interested in seeing these presentations, you can watch the recording via the link below.

 

Olivia Smith, a longtime Shoaler, recently had her first paper published on the diets of common terns on White and Seavey Islands. In collaboration with Dr. Liz Craig, our Director of Seabird Conservation, Olivia surveyed the types of fish consumed by nesting terns and how this can be an indicator of climate change in the Gulf of Maine.  

 

Casey Snook, SML’s communications coordinator, interviewed Olivia to learn more about her study.

 

Our Navigator Circle members enjoyed an amazing day on Appledore this summer for our annual appreciation event. We had the pleasure of hosting this group who spent the morning learning from our undergraduate researchers, and the afternoon with National Geographic marine photographer and videographer, Brian Skerry who gave an amazing presentation of his work.

 

You too can be part of this special group of SML donors who benefit from special programming throughout the year! Reach out to Amy at amy.fish@unh.edu to learn more.

The Shoals community is forever grateful to Dr. John M. Kingsbury, founder of SML. To celebrate his legacy, we are calling on all Shoalers who knew him to share memories in the form of stories and photos. These will be used for a special publication in his honor coming this fall.

 

The season successfully transitioned into our public programs allowing the Shoals community to engage in unique educational experiences taught by our own faculty and renown experts in their field. We receive incredible feedback from the participants who attend these programs as they provide a rich sense of place and community.

 

The Shoals Ecology program, affectionately referred to as “Shoals Greatest Hits” engaged in lectures on the Gulf of Maine, seabirds, and mammals as well as hands on activities like tide pooling, seal spotting, and a shark dissection.

Seascapes and Landscapes welcomed a group of talented and enthusiastic artists for an artist's retreat on Appledore. After four days of watercolor workshops, observational drawings, and plein air art lessons, a gallery night in Kiggins Commons brought the entire island together to celebrate the fantastic work created by the artists.

Our partnership with the NH Audubon offers the opportunity to explore the island as over 200 species of songbirds, seabirds, and waterfowl begin to migrate during the Isle of Shoals birding trips. We will be welcoming two groups during this last week of August who will visit the Appledore Island Migration Banding Station, take a boat tour of the island and visit Celia Thaxter’s Garden.

 

Last month we announced an exciting and important campaign to replace our inflatable boat fleet. Thanks to a generous Cornell ’79 and SML ’77 alumnus who committed $6K in matching funds to support this effort, your matching gifts were enough to purchase one Zodiac – woo hoo!

 

But we need your help to keep the momentum going! Our goal is to replace 2 boats - each approximately $12K. If you are interested in making an immediate and impactful gift to SML, please do so through our SML giving pages with these special instructions so we can track this campaign:

Cornell Giving Page - in the Other Designations or Special Instructions box please indicate “SML Annual Fund – Zodiacs”

 

OR

 

UNH Giving Page - in the Special Handling Instructions box please indicate “SML Annual Fund – Zodiacs”

 

Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far!