The Flax Pond Summer Institute (FPSI) is a five (5)-day, intensive research internship program conducted at the Flax Pond Lab and in the Flax Pond and West Meadow salt marsh. The purpose of the program is twofold: 1.) to gather scientific data about the marsh each year, 2.) to give the public an opportunity to learn about the importance of estuarine ecosystems by working with academic marine scientists. The program is sponsored jointly by the Friends of Flax Pond, Stony Brook University, the Town of Brookhaven’s Environmental Education Department and the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation. It is made possible by a growing collaboration of these agencies together with the efforts of local high school teachers, environmental groups, and interested parties.

Summer Interns In The Marsh

This year the program is composed a species inventory of Flax Pond, Juvenile Horseshoe Crab Study, and a Salt Marsh Cover Study. The inventory surveys will include documentation of all types of flora and fauna found in the Flax Pond salt marsh and a comparison with the neighboring salt marsh at West Meadow Beach and Preserve.

The first FPSI was conducted during the summer of 2004 and repeated each year through 2010. Through the efforts of Wendy Fidao, The Friends of Flax Pond was awarded grants from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation starting in 2005 and continuing through 2009. This helped to cover equipment and some of the expenses for the program.

Over a period of several years, we have been able to detect trends in each of the studies which serve as indicators to the health of the marsh ecosystem. In particular, these indicators will be of relevance to Stony Brook University and the Department of Environmental Conservation who manage Flax Pond jointly and make decisions about species protection and public access.

FPSI includes a Marsh Cover Study designed by Glenn and Sandy Richard. It includes GPS and GIS technology to map changes in overall habitat vegetation in Flax Pond. Aerial photography taken by the DEC in 1974 and 2005 reveals significant progressive loss of the wetlands of a half acre per year. The Marsh Cover Study continues this mapping from the ground and our citizen scientists learn to assess the state of marsh vegetation.

In past years, the Ribbed and Blue Mussel Study, led by Bill Wise, assessed the health of these shellfish in Flax Pond. Flax Pond was once rich in mussels, clams and oysters. Today comparatively few of these shellfish remain. Not only do shellfish provide an important food supply for marine animals and humans, shellfish also serve the important function of filtering the water. In particular, ribbed mussels, which are not valued as food for the dinner table, additionally have a significant role in the marsh. Ribbed mussels are found at the base of tussocks, the clumps of Spartina which make up the habitat of the low marsh. The bissel threads of the mussels entwine with the roots of the Spartina grasses and anchor them to the peat in which they grow. Without ribbed mussels, just as without Spartina, there would be no marsh as we know it and no habitat for the particular species of crabs, fish and shellfish which we find there today.

Our third study of Juvenile Horseshoe Crabs is led by Matt Sclafani of Cornell University Cooperative Extension. Not only do Horseshoe Crabs spawn in Flax Pond, the tiny juvenile crabs spend their early years in marsh tide pools. Their size can range from 0.5 to 3 inches. The Juvenile Horseshoe Crab Study samples the tide pools and collects data on the size, weight and numbers of the juvenile crabs.

These studies along with our studies of the diamondback terrapin assess the ability of species to reproduce and survive. The viability of these species, as well as other crustaceans and fish, are indicators of the health of the estuary. For this reason in 2009 the FPSI was expanded to include a species inventory.

The number of participants in the Summer Institute is limited to 20 people, including high school students and community members. Therefore application is required in advance. Due to the fragile nature of the ecosystem in the salt marsh, the number of people who can be in the marsh working at one time is regulated by the degree of impact on the marsh.

Research projects in a salt marsh, like FPSI, involve dealing with weather and environmental conditions such as muddiness, heat, and sometimes insects. Participants are required to provide their own transportation and may park at the Lab. Sessions run from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Participants are expected to bring lunch, water bottles, sunscreen and insect repellant. Rubber boots or shoes are needed for walking in mud. Sandals are not adequate footwear. It is important to dress for the weather and wear a hat. Swimsuits are not appropriate and swimming is not allowed due to liability considerations.

If you wish to apply, please submit the appropriate form by June 15th. It is preferred that you e-mail the application to flaxpondfriends@gmail.com If you submit your application by mail, please let us know of your pending application by e-mailing your name and phone number to: flaxpondfriends@gmail.com

Citizen Scientist Application (for participants over 21)
Student Application (entering grade 9 through age 21)

Friends of Flax Pond, P.O. Box 477, Stony Brook, N.Y. 11790 631.767.6287