Recent outreach event

The library often participates in outreach events, gives talks and attends various other community efforts. One of our librarian's, Leah Plocharczyk recently travelled to a library Innovation Conference at  Florida State University's Panama City Campus. The conference was held on Aug 14-15, 2014.  Many topics were covered such as professional development, charting a new course for libraries, and bringing special collections to wikipedia.

Leah's participation included a poster presentation describing the library's collaborative projects with the Taras Oceanographic Foundation. [This blog has been highlighting field research with the Palm Beach Dolphin Project, a signature program of Taras]. Below is the poster that was presented at the conference.

NOTE* Since presenting this poster, the stranding portion of the collaboration has changed, but the dolphin research continues and is expanding by  initiating a monthly club for citizen awareness and science literacy.

Outreach outcomes for the conference presentation include interest by a librarian (from Florida State Univ.) in trying to initiate a similar program at their university; a connection to one of our Harriet Wilkes Honors College students, who is interested in a possible internship with Taras; and a librarian at another Florida university asking for collaborative help with science research. The conference was very successful and fulfilled our goals of outreach, information and science literacy.

Research Field Notes: No. 11

8/13/2014. Dolphin Boat Survey

Today’s survey extended from the Jupiter Inlet (N 260 56.624' W 800 03.805') down to the Boynton Beach Inlet (N 260 32.400' W 800 02.350' ).

Research Organization: Taras Oceanographic Foundation

Wind/Water conditions: N,NW 5-10. Seas 0-2’ (winds and seas always change halfway through)

Duration: 8 am-3:30 pm

Dolphin encounters: Today’s survey is also known as “They didn’t get the memo” [about Wed surveys] because we completed four full surveys and did not encounter a single cetacean. We have been very fortunate this year so far to have so many encounters. The turtle count was also low.

OTHER: Turtle counts:  4  Trash count:    12

                 Balloons: 2 [one in the water and one in the air…see below!]

Here are some images from the survey (Dr. Brunnick recovering trash).

       

Research Field Notes: No. 10

8/6/2014. Dolphin Boat Survey

Today’s survey extended from the Jupiter Inlet (N 260 56.624' W 800 03.805') down to the Lake Worth Inlet [aka the Palm Beach Inlet] (N 260 46.300' W 800 03.500').

Research Organization: Taras Oceanographic Foundation

Wind/Water conditions: N,NW 5. Seas 0-2’

Duration: 8 am-3 pm

Dolphin encounters: Today we had several encounters with approximately 30 tursiops that we could ID. In total there were roughly 56 total animals. We observed many behaviors and there was quite a bit of mating going on this day. We have pictures to prove it!! We experienced long encounters in which several groups joined together. They kept us busy deciding who to follow for ID shots.

OTHER: Turtle counts:  26      Trash count:    7

Here is more information about dolphin mating.

 Image: http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Bio20Tuat01-t1-body-d2.html

NOTE: The research vessels for  our surveys are provided by Jupiter Pointe Marina.