If you’ve always wanted to learn more about the Long Island Sound, now you can with a free program at the University of New Haven.
The school is accepting applications to fill 20 places in its COASTS program, which stands for Citizen Opportunities for Accessing Science Training on the Sound.
Dr. Amy Carlile, associate professor and chair of biology and environmental science at the University of New Haven, leads the program along with other faculty members.
It is funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Long Island Sound Futures Fund and focuses on sound ecology.
“The idea here is that we’re going to take them out into the field to learn about the different organisms, the different creatures that are there. So, for example, we’ll go to a local salt marsh and learn about any the plant species that really make the salt marsh what it is,” said Carlile.
The program is open to New Haven and West Haven residents and consists of weekly evening training sessions. There are also five weekend days in the field.
Applicants must be at least 16 years old and high school students can receive college credit for the course. Evening workouts will be recorded and posted online for those who need to miss one.
Carlile said the goal of the program was to teach people how their actions affect sound.
“With climate change we see the impact of rising temperatures, acidification of the oceans. This is of particular concern for our oyster industry. So there are a lot of things that I think the general public will start to see the impact,” said Carlile. .
The COASTS program is accepting applications until June 5. For more information on the program, click here.
