The third annual Connecticut Urban Ecology Conference is set for Saturday, March 21 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport.
This year’s theme is “CSI: Citizen Science Investigators” and the keynote speaker will be state Environmental Protection Commissioner Gina McCarthy.
Learn more about “Project Limulus” a study examining the ecology of the Long Island Sound horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) and how interested members of the public can help.
The conference, with seminars and other activities, is being organized by the zoo and Bridgeport Community Land Trust. It is open to the public.
Registration begins at 8 a.m., followed by welcome talks from Mayor Bill Finch, Zoo Director Gregg Dancho and the Bridgeport Community Land Trust’s Robert Halstead.
McCarthy will speak from 9:15 to 10 a.m. on how citizen scientists are helping the state’s conservation efforts.
Morning sessions will be on the Stratford BioBlitz, Ash Creek sand spit recreational activities, and Connecticut amphibians.
Afternoon sessions are on American woodcock habitat management, the state of birds in Connecticut, Bridgeport’s community garden program, and horseshoe crabs in Long Island Sound.
A panel discussion will end the day from 3 to 3:30 p.m. Most activities will take place in the zoo greenhouse or Hanson Exploration Station.
The cost is $30 for adults and $20 for students, seniors and zoo and land trust members. Lunch is included with admission.
For information contact Jeanne Yuckienuz at 394-6576 or jyuckienuz@beardsleyzoo.org. Advance registration is recommended.
Photograph of horseshoe crabs field research is from a past BioBlitz event in New London.
