eSML March 2007

Rachel Carson was born on May 27, 1907. She was a writer for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and summered on Southport Island, Maine. Her last and best-known book is Silent Spring. When published in 1962, Silent Spring served as a moving wake-up call about environmental dangers of pesticides and bioamplification of toxins, and it helped build public support for modern environmentalism. Forty-five years later, Silent Spring remains a remarkable book, but, sadly, Carson did not live to see its full impact, for she died of cancer in 1964. Her first three books, Under the Sea-Wind, The Sea Around Us and The Edge of the Sea are rich in factual detail and language, and great reading for anyone interested in marine science. This summer, SML will celebrate Rachel Carson, her works, and legacy by encouraging students, staff, and faculty to read Silent Spring and to informally discuss her work and its continuing relevance.

Processing applications for college credit courses and internships is SML‚s focus in the spring. Applications for SML Summer 2007 continue to arrive at a brisk rate. It is very gratifying to see strong student interest in new courses such as Field Microbial Ecology and Seabird Conservation. Students who plan to submit applications should send them in as soon as possible. Robin Hadlock Seeley, SML‚s new Academic Advisor, oversaw selection of nine interns for Research Experience for Undergraduates; interns and mentors will start their projects on Appledore in late May.

Weather prevented work on Appledore in March, but it was a busy time on the coast. Jon Becker joined Tom Davis and Ross Hansen to repair and upgrade our vessels. They pulled, cleaned and inspected the R/V J.B. HEISER, which is now in top condition for the busy summer ahead. Mechanical work on the engine of the R/V JOHN M. KINGSBURY was completed, as well as new wiring and instrument upgrades; Jon devised a way to relocate the mast so that it will not have to be lowered when we pass under the Memorial Bridge. Mike Dalton and Al Hansen helped Christine, Ross, and Jessica interview candidates for seasonal positions. We moved eight solar panels slated for installation on Appledore from Ithaca to dry storage space at Creek Farm. Porch renovations at Creek Farm Cottage are underway, and despite a snowy nor‚easter on March 16-17, progress is good. We renovated an apartment in Carriage House to serve as new coastal office space for Ross, Tom and new Assistant Director for Island ! and Coastal Programs, Hal Weeks. In early April, we will transport recycled office furniture from Cornell to Carriage House to furnish this light and airy new space. Later this spring, the Forest Society will install a new, permeable parking surface adjacent to Carriage House. Plan to stop by Creek Farm to see this progress.

In other news, both the SML Executive Committee and Creek Farm Planning Committee held productive meetings in March. SML is collaborating with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology on a new HD video project known as A Gull's World. Visit us on the web www.sml.cornell.edu and come to Appledore this summer!

Willy Bemis, Kingsbury Director of Shoals Marine Laboratory
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