Photo: Wendy Goldstein

This newsletter includes the following topics: 

Greetings to the Shoals Community:

 

The last several weeks have been extremely busy. We hosted the last of our programs, held our fall volunteer weekend, and closed down our facilities for the off season. The work was hard, but made easier by the teamwork and collaboration that is a hallmark of Shoals.

 

The adage that many hands make light work always seems apropos during volunteer weekend.  The changes to our spaces, inside and out, that occurred in the few short days between the end of our fall birding program and the ecology program for lifelong learners were stunning. Throughout the summer we see all kinds of equipment being used, field sampling gear deployed, sea tables stocked with intertidal and subtidal organisms and experiments, dissections and prosections, swim calls, and people in all of our spaces. All of these activities create the controlled chaos that is typical of Shoals, and of field stations in general. Each class or program uses our facilities and supplies differently, so there is an ever-changing visual landscape of our buildings and our campus. However, at the end of the season, everything needs be deep cleaned, items checked for their ability to function, supplies inventoried and stored, and everything organized for us to find what we need next summer.  Much of this work happened in just two days when the Shoals staff was joined by 52 enthusiastic, hard-working people who helped us close down our academic spaces, laboratories, dorms, some small boats, and the garden. Of course, there was also time to enjoy each other’s company and the island.

 

Volunteer weekend is followed by two weeks of close-down work by the staff team. During the first week, all hands are used to deep clean the kitchen. Zach’s instructions were to clean things to where they look like they are brand new (or as close to that as you can). Equipment is dismantled and cleaned; the refrigerators and freezers are emptied, thawed, and scrubbed; and the counters, shelves, walls, and floors are thoroughly wiped down and mopped. Many of our buildings are shut down for the winter, including blowing water out of the pipes so that nothing freezes and breaks in cold weather. We all eat at K-House, enjoying each other and that amazing view. Most of the team (including me) moved off of the island at the end of that week, so the remaining team of primarily engineers and captains could close down more of the facilities and waterfront. Removing the brow and pulling the floating dock makes the end of the season feel real.

 

September is an intense month at Shoals, with all of the work that needs to be done. For those of us who have spent the summer there, it is also an emotional one. When we left the island, we knew that it would be several months before we would return and that it was the finale for this season’s amazing team! The beauty of the island in September and the fantastic staff made leaving the island particularly difficult this year.

 

Wishing you all a beautiful fall season.

Another awesome end-of-season volunteer weekend is in the books! We had 52 volunteers come to the island for two days of hard work, and of course a bit of fun, to help us conquer the task of closing up Shoals Marine Lab. People cleaned dorms, put the garden to bed, derigged sailboats, and organized classrooms. That amounted to about 680 people hours of work! The process of closing up the island and the end of season could not be done without the amazing people who volunteer their time. Thank you!

The Shoals staff developing the plan for volunteer weekend. With more than 50 extra sets of hands and lots to do to get the island ready for the winter, the staff developed a plan for work crews and projects for the weekend.  

photos: Cam Ragland. Dave Buck, Sara Morris

When we think of the waterfront, most of us think of our two large research vessels.  However, we also have a fleet of small boats that need to be taken out of the water, winterized, and stored for the winter.  In addition, we remove the mooring balls and replace them with "winter sticks" that allow us to use the moorings on occasional trips to Appledore in the off season. Each year we also do maintenance on the R/V John M Kingsbury and the R/V John B Heiser to keep them in good working order and to prepare for our next Coast Guard inspection. 

During the summer, our many classes use every inch of our classrooms and lab spaces. At the end of the season, all of our sampling gear is deep cleaned and dried completely (which may be the only time all summer), microscopes are carefully cleaned and covered, the equipment moved outside for the summer is brought back inside, things that remain outside are covered. and spaces are cleaned well.   

Our volunteers help us clean and organize all spaces on the island. Our dorms have curtains removed to be laundered, mattresses stored to get airflow, and floors carefully cleaned. We have been pulling supplies out of many of our storage spaces to remove things that are broken or don't have a realistic future use. Unfortunately, we don't have a picture of our rock moving crew that removed a huge rock from the dirt floor part of K-House basement, making storage and movement easier. 

Many long-time Shoalers have known David Holmes as a bird bander who has been coming to Appledore since the mid-1970s.  Those who know David's "real" life know that he is a musician who runs a private studio where he teaches piano and flute.  During the volunteer weekend, David graciously provided the group with a concert of several piano pieces that were reminiscent of Appledore's hotel era. It was a treat to have David describing the musical selections' connections to the island and sharing his musical talent.

Friday, September 12 marked the end of SML's regular season. The close up crew worked great together and as a result the typical close up tasks went smoothly and efficiently. It was a nice way to round out the summer, and a testament to how great this year's team was.

 

At this point the majority of the buildings and equipment have been winterized, the floating dock and brow have been removed, and the island has been locked down. Starting next week, Lead Engineer, Tanner Burns, and I will make a few trips to complete some projects that have been on our radar this season. The trips will be scheduled around weather and tide.

 

Appledore Island is tucked in for the winter with only nature to keep her company, but planning for next summer season has just begun. 

 

Zach Charewicz, Director of Facilities and Sustainability

Ramp and dock being put to bed

Staff having a well-earned nap

Wind turbine being lowered, Staff luggage and supplies at the high tide dock

Photos: Conor Heaney, Kate Lochridge, Roger Trudeau, Katlyn Taylor

Historically, faculty members and guest speakers would gather with students on Appledore Island's rocky shoreline (giving the Rock Talk series its name) to present on a wide range of topics related to natural history, ecology, biology, and more. We now host the talks in Kiggins Commons and via ZOOM. This summer thirteen scientists joined us on to present our weekly Rock Talks, held every Tuesday evening at 8:00. Missed a few? No worries — you can still catch up! Recordings from this season and previous years are available to watch anytime. Click the link below to find out who we had out and find their recordings. 

Carol Steingart is an award-winning marine science educator who has been leading intertidal programs for over 25 years.

 

Carol’s long history with the Shoals Marine Lab started with Field Marine Science in 1977 as an undergraduate at UNH. Having grown up on the flat, sandy shores of Long Island, NY, she was instantly captivated by the rocky coast of Maine. This passion fueled her soul for decades while she pursued other interests and careers in fresh water resources and music recording engineering. Her passion was reignited years later when she brought live sea creatures to her daughter’s second grade class. The hands-on presentation was so successful that the teachers requested her return year after year. That was the impetus for starting her own business, Coast Encounters (coastencounters.com).

 

The Shoals Marine Lab experience has branded an indelible mark on Carol’s life and career. Its hands-on experiential learning pedagogy has shaped the life and mission of Coast Encounters. In a world of excessive screen time these days, Carol has witnessed firsthand how the young and young-at-heart learners embrace the lasting and heartfelt connection when a live sea creature is placed in their hand. Not only does it evoke fond memories, it also becomes a springboard for inspiring advocacy.

 

Any excuse to return to Appledore is a shared desire for Shoals alumni. Reunions began in 1997 and by 1999 Carol spearheaded the very first family reunion with Myra Schulman, the wife of then Director Jim Morin. The Morin’s brought their two young children to Appledore during his directorship. Myra and Carol brainstormed fun activities to make the reunion a family-friendly experience. Carol’s signature program, the Intertidal Buffet, was birthed back then, and continues to be successful today. The Intertidal Buffet at this year’s 60th reunion was a huge hit.

 

Carol joined AFA in early 2025 and assisted fellow FMS-’77 alumnus, Jackie Webb, to organize the Shoal’s 60th anniversary celebration. Carol continues on as an AFA member and looks forward to planning events in the future.

 

Even though most of Carol’s friends are retired, she plans to continue offering unique educational opportunities that connect people of all ages to the natural world of coastal ecosystems. 

We are often asked if we have any needs to make the staff, student, and community experience even more impactful. Here are a few items we would love to have - all gifts count toward our 60th fundraising goal!

Let us know if you can help! Please reach out to Amy Fish, Director of Community Relations, at amy.fish@unh.edu if you are interested in making a donation designated toward any of these items. 

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