|
On Saturday, June 4th at 1pm join Mary-Jane James-Pirri, Ph.D. of the Graduate School of Oceanography located at University of Rhode Island, who will provide a free program on the American Horseshoe Crab. Professor James-Pirri will discuss why the American Horseshoe Crab is an important component of the marine ecosystem. A charismatic species, the horseshoe crab has remained virtually unchanged in 300 million years. In addition, Professor James-Pirri Sagamore Hill National Historic Site is initiating a Citizen's Based Monitoring Program in 2012 to survey spawning horseshoe crabs on Long Island. The spawning surveys will be conducted on select Long Island beaches in May and June during new and full moon high tides. These surveys will count crabs as they spawn on beaches.In addition, Sagamore Hill will tag the Horseshoe crabs as part of the US Fish and Wildlife Service Cooperative tagging program. The recaptured sightings of the tagged horseshoe crabs will become part of a national database to help manage and conserve this important marine resource. |
Last updated: February 26, 2015