Schuylerville Students Study Hudson River During Statewide Event

SCHUYLERVILLE — 50 Schuylerville High School students took part in the recent “Day in the Life of the Hudson River” initiative that included nearly 100 school districts from across New York State.  

In partnership with the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve and Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, the event was designed to have students collect data from various areas of the Hudson River.

Using seine nets, minnow pots, water-testing gear, and other tools, the students caught fish, tracked the river’s tides and currents, checked water salinity, examined water chemistry and quality, and conducted soil core sampling at Fort Hardy Park.

“It gives a snapshot of the river’s ecosystem and health,” said student Ethan Meskill in a statement. “The Hudson is a very important waterway that supports a lot of animals and plants. Since the river is threatened by pollution and invasive species, we need to do our part to protect it.”

All data gathered by students was submitted to the Hudson River Estuary Program of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Agriculture Science and Technology Teacher Carlyn Miller said that Schuylerville will receive the analyzed data back later this fall and continue the conversation in the classroom.

“It was really great to be able to connect with other teachers who participated, but also with the state officials who guided the process,” Miller said. “Seeing how much our Hudson River locations work together and influence everything downriver from where we are here in Schuylerville is incredible.”