Page 11 - Priorities #35 2006-October

Toxigenic algal blooms can have deadly effects on hundreds of marine mammals and birds off the California coast, including the sea lions beloved by tourists as well as natives of the coastal cities. Off the Washington coast, crab and clam fisheries must close when there are high concentrations of toxins from the bloom. The hardest hit fishery has been the multi-million dollar razor clam fishery, said Dr. Bill Cochlan in a statement released to explain the research. Scientists heading the project have worked around the world on a wide range of projects
with similarly complex biological and chemical foundations.
Over the summer, Ms. Muir took a group of students on an environmental science and adventure program that studied watershed ecology throughout mainland and coastal Belize, hiking though rainforests and snorkeling off the island of Tobacco Cay. Students studied watershed ecology with Belizean guides in relation to the culture, politics, and socioeconomics of the area. The highlight of
the journey was a home-stay program where Priory students stayed with native families in the village
of Armenia. Their photos and journals are online— contact Ms. Muir at cmuir@woodsidepriory.com
for information.
To view information about Teacher at Sea
goes to www.ecohabpnw.org/outreach. Click on “Teachers at Sea” in the left navigation bar. From that page you can access Ms. Muir’s information and more. At the bottom of the page, click on NWFSC HAB Program for a complete description of the research project. You can access the links also from the Woodside Priory School website, www.woodsidepriory.com , “Recent News” on
the home page.
José’s knowledge and warmth brings everyone in; Christine takes everyone along and is using her expertise to build a marine biology curriculum at the Priory.
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