My favorite part of interning at Rookery Bay (so far) has to be trawling for critters around the Ten Thousand Islands. The anticipation of pulling up the net, not knowing what we might discover, is exhilarating. Each haul is a reminder of the hidden world beneath the bay’s surface, teeming with life and waiting to be explored.
High school students in Collier County have the opportunity to come trawling with Rookery Bay staff during the fittingly named Beneath the Bay Field Trip. This hands-on immersive experience brings classroom lessons to life, and I have the incredible opportunity to go with them as an education intern. The unique program takes marine biology students onto the water aboard a mullet skiff boat, where they engage in scientific exploration by catching marine life and testing water quality.
As the boat glides through the estuary, students drop a massive net into the water to collect an array of sea creatures, including fish, algae, invertebrates- and even the occasional crab trap. Each trawl reveals something new and unexpected. On a recent trip, we were thrilled to pull up a seahorse, batfish, and several brittle sea stars in a single haul!
The education staff and I go through the tub of creatures we catch and separate them into multiple containers- making sure to set aside the ones that can pinch and poke into a neon orange “no-touching” bucket. Oftentimes even the more slimy critters can be handled gently. We pass them around the boat to be examined by the students. This is almost always the highlight of the students’ trip: getting their hands wet and immersing themselves in the field. I must say I am literally and figuratively in the same boat as them.
The field trip also emphasizes the importance of water quality in shaping these ecosystems. Students measure salinity, pH levels, temperature, and wind conditions, analyzing how these factors influence the species they encounter. We use tools such as a YSI (multiparameter water quality instrument) and refractometers to get the most accurate results. Using these instruments made the immersive experience that much more fun! By making these real-time connections, the students gain a deeper appreciation for the delicate balance within marine environments and the impact of environmental changes.
One of the most exciting parts of the trip is the visit to Keewaydin Island, where we explore the mangrove and beach ecosystems. We differentiate between red, white and black mangroves and search for shells along the shore. The most amazing part is witnessing excitement in the eyes of the handful of students who have never stepped foot on a boat or beach before. The enveloping aspect of the trip—whether it’s feeling the texture of a sea star, testing the salinity of the water, or walking a sandy beach for the first time—creates lasting memories and sparks curiosity.
The Beneath the Bay Field Trip is not only a fun day on the water, but an opportunity for students to become scientists in the field, connecting theory with practice in a meaningful way. Through this program, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve continues to inspire future marine biologists and environmental stewards, including myself.
