Dear SML Community,
March has always been an exciting month for me. Colleges and universities are engaged in March Madness, are moving into the celebrations of student achievements, are preparing for the end of the academic year, and are finalizing their recruitment of students who will join them in the fall. In my world, bird migration has begun – the winter species are being replaced by the early spring migrants.
At Shoals, the team is working hard to process applications, award scholarship dollars, finalize our seasonal staff hires, and prepare for the summer season, which is only 57 days away at this writing. I want to thank everyone who will be supporting SML during Cornell’s giving day (tomorrow, 3/14) and those of you who will support us through UNH during the 603 Challenge in April (April 8-12). Much of our scholarship aid is raised during these events, and those scholarships are critical to making a Shoals experience possible for many of our students.
Although the weather has prevented me from making my first trip to Appledore since arriving at the seacoast, the cameras on the island and our facilities staff have been able to keep an eye on things. We were fortunate that the winter storms produced minimal damage to our facilities, although they definitely impacted the island. The roadway beside the high tide pier and the great tide pool (a.k.a. swimming pool) is covered with rocks, sand, and debris that are evidence of the ocean’s power, and the walkway over the swale was moved over several feet. Fortunately, Ross and his team had prepared for this possibility when they rebuilt the walkway in the past, and it appears to have sustained little damage and should be moved (relatively) easily back into place before the island opens for the summer.
As the days get longer, the cold snaps get shorter, the buds begin to open, the flowers emerge, and animals we haven’t seen since last summer reappear, we can see, hear, and smell the signs of spring and the earth’s revitalization. It won’t be long until we open the Shoals Marine Lab for its 59th season. Those of us who are lucky enough to spend time on Appledore will soon be out there to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of our island lab. Wishing you all the renewal of spring!
