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National Estuaries Day September 24, 2011
Spend A Day on the Bay!National Estuaries Day is the annual celebration of the vibrant and essential coastal areas where rivers meet the sea. Held on the last Saturday of September each year, National Estuaries Day is a terrific opportunity to learn more about estuaries and the perfect excuse to spend a day on your local bay. You can take advantage of volunteer opportunities and hands-on restoration in your nearby bay or estuary, participate in a guided walk or boat tour, or simply explore your estuary with family and friends. Every year, Restore America's Estuaries and its 11 national member organizations across the country organize special National Estuaries Day events--beach clean-ups, hikes, canoe and kayak trips, cruises, workshops, and more! Here are just a few of the many events held nationwide in 2011 to celebrate National Estuaries Day: NATIONAL ESTUARIES DAY RAE EVENTS
RESTORE AMERICA'S ESTUARIES
Washington, DC
National Estuaries Day Briefing and Wetlands Tour
 Kenilworth Gardens, Washington, DC
Restore America's Estuaries held a briefing for Congressional members, staff, and press at DC's famed Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Kenilworth Marsh, located on the Anacostia River, is one of the nation's most successful urban marsh restorations. The 33-acre wetlands restoration, completed in 1992-93, is a model of public-private cooperation (federal and local), involving the DC Dept. of Public Works, National Park Service, EPA, and the Council of Governments (COG), among others. Kenilworth Marsh is a keystone for ongoing restoration efforts along the Anacostia, considered one of the most polluted rivers in the United States. Speakers at the briefing: Will Baker, President, Chesapeake Bay Foundation; Bryan Arroyo, Assistant Director-Fisheries and Habitat Conservation, USFWS; Keith Bowers, President and Foundeer, Biohabitats, Inc.; and Peter Clark, President, Tampa Bay Watch (RAE member organization), and RAE Vice Chair. The briefing attracted more than 60 top congressional aides and staffers and numerous press (see News Channel 8 feature below). Topping off the day: On Friday, September 23, the United States Senate officially and uanimously declared September 24 National Estuaries Day.
     CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION
Canoe or Kayak to Thomas Point Lighthouse with a CBF Naturalist!
WHEN: September 24th, 9am-12pm
 There's no better way to celebrate National Estuaries Day than by paddling on the nation’s largest estuary! Join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation at their headquarters in Annapolis for a paddle on the Chesapeake. Weather dependent, we’ll leave from the beach and paddle to Thomas Point Lighthouse, one of the many lighthouses dotting the Bay. Must bring your own kayak, minimum age is 15. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. Limited to 20 participants.
Contact Adam Wickline (
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
, 443-482-2034) to reserve your spot!
TAMPA BAY WATCH
 Kayak to Shell Key Preserve or participate in the 27th Annual Photo All-Release Challenge Fishing Tournament
WHEN: September 24-25th
A group of employees from Outback Steakhouse will spend a day on the bay with Tampa Bay Watch on Saturday, September 24th for their corporate outing. The group will paddle via kayaks to clean up Shell Key Preserve. Shell Key is one of the state's most important areas for shorebird nesting and wintering and it serves as an important study area for these species. The cleanup will be beneficial since the preserve is popular for boating, camping and beach-going activities.Tampa Bay Watch will host Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Tampa Chapter’s 27th Annual Photo All-Release Challenge Fishing Tournament on September 24th and 25th, 2011. CCA Florida is a statewide non-profit marine conservation organization working in an advocacy role to protect the state’s marine resources and the interests of saltwater anglers. Visit out website for further information: www.tampabaywatch.org.
AMERICAN LITTORAL SOCIETY Sunset Eco-Cruise on Barnegat Bay WHEN: September 24th, 6 pm
Celebrate National Estuaries Day with the American Littoral Society by cruising one of New Jersey’s most exceptional and threatened estuaries – Barnegat Bay. Get close to the bay’s prolific wildlife and marshes aboard Paradise Cruise’s pontoon boat “Flipper”. Learn why estuaries are called the “cradle of the ocean” and why Barnegat Bay is so susceptible to human misbehavior on land. The cruise will be led by Helen Henderson, our expert on the Bay’s issues, and Jeff Dement, naturalist and fish tagging director, as we visit a salt marsh, see migrating birds, "Ol' Barney" and enjoy a beautiful sunset. Limited to 35 people. $30 fee includes complimentary wine and cheese. Boat departs from Barnegat Light on Long Beach Island. Reservations required. (732) 291-0055. Click HERE for further information.
NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL FEDERATION The North Carolina Coastal Federation invites community members and volunteers to a fun-filled Community Clean Water Day at the Morris Landing Clean Water Preserve on Stump Sound in Holly Ridge. We will be celebrating National Estuaries Day. Please join us as we work on a project to create oyster habitat along the shoreline of Stump Sound. We will be filling mesh bags with oyster shells and limestone marl to create a new oyster reef. We will be supplying a bob-cat to do the hard work, but we will still need many hands to cut, seal and stack the shellbags. We will also be conducting a shoreline clean-up. We will be pulling seine nets and hosting other fun educational activities. You will also have a chance to learn more about some of our ongoing and planned projects in Stump Sound. Join us and bring your friends, family and coworkers. Refreshments, supplies and equipment will be provided. This event is suitable for all ages. Pre-registration is requested. See our Calendar for more information Cycling for the Coast WHEN: September 17, 2011 8 am Take a ride along the scenic Crystal Coast, paddling through the beach towns of Emerald Isle, Salter Path, Indian Beach, Pine Knoll Shores, and Atlantic Beach. The 40K and 80K options will raise awareness of our coastal estuaries and white sandy beaches, and raise funds for the North Carolina Coastal Federation. Members: $35 (includes t-shirt) Non-members: $50 (includes NCCF membership & t-shirt). Call: (252) 393-8185 or visit www.nccoast.org to register
SAVE THE BAY-SAN FRANCISCO
Remove Invasive Weeds at Eden Landing
 WHEN: September 24th, 9am-12pm
Did you know that San Francisco Bay is actually an estuary? Have you ever heard of brackish water? Do you know how many major estuaries can be found in the U.S.? Save The Bay’s field educators are estuary experts and after spending “a day on the Bay,” you will be too. Join Save The Bay as we remove invasive weeds at the Eden Landing Ecological Preserve. Volunteers will learn about the ecology of the San Francisco Estuary while participating in the largest tidal wetland restoration project on the West Coast. Click HERE for more information!
SAVE THE BAY-NARRAGANSETT BAY
 Beach Slam!
WHEN: September 24th
Save The Bay is hosting the Beach Slam—a free, family-friendly community day in celebration of Narragansett Bay at Tillinghast Farm in Barrington, RI. The day will include a variety of on-the water demonstrations and activities: fly fishing, kayaking and paddle board lessons courtesy of Eastern Mountain Sports, rock climbing, children’s educational activities, local food vendors, games and crafts. Award winning children’s entertainer, Sam Lardner, will headline the entertainment, with his environmentally conscious “Oceans are Talking” program (http://www.oceansaretalking.org/) . Our goal is to promote community stewardship of the Bay for all to enjoy. This event will attract multiple communities throughout the watershed to celebrate Narragansett Bay. More details to come! http://www.savebay.org/Page.aspx?pid=1491
COALITION TO RESTORE COASTAL LOUISIANA
 Mangrove Planting at Port Fourchon
WHEN: September 24, 9am-3pm
Volunteers will meet at Port Fourchon Public Boat Launch, Port Fourchon, LA, staging area en route to planting 2,500 mangrove trees on Wisner Foundation property as part of CRCL’s ongoing efforts to plant black mangroves in wetland areas impacted by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill last year. Partners include: National Wildlife Federation, Wisner Foundation, Restore America’s Estuaries, and NOAA. Volunteers needed: 65-70. Come on out! More information: Hilary Collis, CRCL Coastal Restoration Coordinator; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; (225) 767-4181. CRCL website: www.crcl.org/.
SAVE THE SOUND-A PROGRAM OF CONNECTICUT FUND FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
 Sandy Point Beach Clean-up
WHEN: September 24; morning (either 9 am-Noon, or 10 am-Noon)
Join the CFE beach clean-up on September 24, at Sandy Point in West Haven. Sandy Point is a long stretch of sandy beach extending into New Haven Harbor that has long been a popular spot for birding and beachcombing. The volunteer beach captain is Robert Marra. Directions: http://www.lisrc.uconn.edu/coastalaccess/site.asp?siteid=382. More information: Leah Lopez Schmalz, (203) 787-0646; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . CFE website: www.savethesound.org.
GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION
 Dickinson’s Bay Island Beach Clean-up; Mangrove Planting
WHEN: September 23rd, 8 am-1 pm
Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) will coordinate a trash clean-up on Dickinson Bay Island on Friday, September 23, from 8 am to 1 pm. Free of charge to volunteer. Plans may include a mangrove planting (TBD).Information: Julie Mintzer, (281) 332-3381, ext. 201, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
PEOPLE FOR PUGET SOUND
Weeding and Mulching in the Duwamish River Estuary
 WHEN: September 24th, 10 am - 2pm
Join Sound Stewards at Terminal 105 in the Duwamish River estuary in Seattle. Volunteers will be weeding and mulching at the newly expanded restoration site. Contact Katrina Beach at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 206-382-7007 for more info. Nisqually Watershed Festival-Olympia, WA WHEN: September 24th Join People For Puget Sound and partners at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge north of Olympia for Nisqually Watershed Festival- local students and volunteers are needed to assist with stewardship plantings at the Refuge. Contact Doug Myers at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 360-754-9177 for more info. Cayou Lagoon Restoration Work Party on Orcas Island, WA WHEN: September 24th, 10 am - 2pm Join People For Puget Sound at Deer Harbor on Orcas Island for a Cayou Lagoon Restoration Work Party. Celebrate National Estuaries Day by helping to restore the largest estuary on Orcas Island! We will be removing invasive species, maintaining restored native plants, and building trails on the shores of Cayou Lagoon and Fish Trap Creek. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 360-230-1353 for more information.. Remove Invasive Weeds in Everett, WA
WHEN: September 24th, 10 am - 2pm
Join the Snohomish Sound Stewards at the Union Slough Saltmarsh Restoration site just north of Everett. Volunteers are needed to help remove invasive weeds such as blackberry, knapweed and knotweed- these actions help us prepare the site for installing native plants in the fall. Contact Keeley O’Connell at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 206-382-7007 for more info.
NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVES Can't get to one of our member groups? Try finding a National Estuarine reasearch Reserve near you at http://estuaries.gov/GetInvolved/Default.aspx?id=526
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Oyster Shellbagging & Clean-Up WHEN: September 24th, 10 am - 2pm