The Youth Ocean Conservation Summit (YOCS) has been a driving force in educating students of all ages about environmental conservation. The main goal of YOCS is simple: to equip the next generation with the knowledge and skills needed to protect our oceans. This is achieved through workshops and discussions led by marine scientists and conservationists, where participants collaborate to develop conservation projects for their communities. 

 Since its inception in 2011 at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida, YOCS has expanded its reach, establishing satellite locations across the United States. In 2014, Sean Russell, the founder of YOCS, spent a year at the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium in Savannah, Georgia, as part of UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s Marine Education Fellowship. During this time, Russell, with other Marine Education Fellows, laid the groundwork for Georgia’s first summit. Since then, the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium has been hosting the annual event, bringing new themes and workshops each year, tailored by the current cohort of Marine Education Fellows. 

YOCS participants get hands-on in an algae clay activity.

This year marked the 10th anniversary of the Georgia summit and was themed “Leaders in Coastal Resilience.”  The summit welcomes youth ranging from 5th grade through college. This year, 41 participants from all over Georgia gathered to learn from local marine scientists and conservation leaders.   

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund and The Webster Family provided financial support of this year’s summit. Together, with involved community professionals and educators, they have helped to create a platform that empowers young leaders to make a difference in their communities and contribute to the preservation of our oceans.  

The event was a uniquely special occasion as Russell, now serving as the Director of Youth Engagement at EarthEcho International, returned to deliver the keynote address, reflecting on his personal journey and the growth of the youth summit over the past decade. Hands-on workshops led by local experts covered topics such as marine debris and environmental justice, providing participants with practical knowledge to implement in the creation of conservation projects for their own communities.  

Sean Russell returned to this year’s summit as the keynote speaker.

When asked what inspired him to establish a Youth Ocean Conservation Summit in Savannah, Russell said that “bringing the Youth Ocean Conservation Summit to the Savannah area created a unique opportunity to customize the programming to connect youth in the region to the incredibly unique environments of the Georgia coast, the challenges they face, and the power of young people driving solutions to protect this area for the future. It has been incredible to see the continued growth and impact of the Savannah YOCS program over the past 10 years. Returning to the 2024 event was a reminder of the strong connections the community has to the coast, and the importance of equipping young people with the knowledge, tools, and connectivity to become community leaders in coastal resilience at an early age.” 

For many attendees, the summit has become an annual tradition, offering valuable learning experiences and opportunities to connect with peers who share their passion for conservation.  

 “The Savannah Youth Ocean Conservation Summit provides the space and time for students to meet professionals working in the field, to connect and brainstorm with their peers and to find inspiration on the coast,” said Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s Associate Director of Marine Education Anne Lindsay. “It’s a great way for participants and planners alike to connect with the next generation of coastal and ocean stewards.” 

Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant is investing $743,437 in five new research projects that address environmental and economic challenges and advance coastal science in Georgia.  

Projects range from looking at the impacts of seaweed diversification on aquaculture production, to quantifying the compound risks of coastal inundation and contamination in Glynn County, to studying neonicotinoid presence in coastal waters and impacts on oyster populations.  

The 2024-2026 research projects are part of Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s request for proposals process, which occurs every two years to address research priorities identified in the program’s strategic plan.  

The projects are designed to improve understanding, management, and wise use of Georgia’s coastal and marine ecosystems. Experts conduct research in close collaboration with on-the-ground extension agents, community partners, educators and decision-makers.    

“I am pleased with this selection of projects as they address some critical topics identified in our strategic plan, including exploring sustainable aquaculture practices, engaging under-resourced communities in resilience efforts, and studying blue carbon,” said Mark Risse, director of Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. “These projects will have substantial impacts in coastal Georgia.”   

The projects include:  

• Leveraging sediment properties to enhance blue carbon storage in beneficial use restoration projects
  Amanda Spivak, University of Georgia  
• Assessing the economic impact of compound risks in underserved communities: A Glynn County, GA, Case Study
  Susana Ferreira, University of Georgia 
• Exploring the potential for aquaculture product diversification with macroalgae
  John Carroll, Georgia Southern University 
• Neonicotinoid presence in coastal waters and potential impacts on the Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica
  Risa Cohen, Georgia Southern University 
• A Sanctuary in Sound: Increasing Accessibility to Gray’s Reef Data through Auditory Displays
  Jessica Roberts, Georgia Tech 

Information about Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant research topics, funding and current opportunities can be found at https://gacoast.uga.edu/current-projects/ 

Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant is managed through a unique partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the University of Georgia that unites the resources of the federal government, the state of Georgia and universities across the state to create knowledge, tools, products and services that benefit the economy, the environment and the citizens of Georgia. The program’s mission is to improve the environmental, social and economic health of the Georgia coast through research, education and extension.  

University of Georgia alumna Gabriella Bliss Giordano has been awarded the John A. Knauss Marine Policy fellowship for 2024. Sponsored by the National Sea Grant College Program, the year-long fellowship matches current and recent graduate students with hosts in the legislative and executive branches of government. 

Giordano will spend one year working as a communications and engagement fellow in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR). STAR uses innovative science and applications to transform satellite observations of the earth into meaningful information essential to society’s evolving environmental, security and economic decision-making. She will work with STAR’s communications team to incorporate outreach, user engagement and the scientific community to spread awareness of the center’s work. 

Knauss finalists are chosen through a competitive process that includes comprehensive review at both the state Sea Grant program and national levels. Giordano is among 85 finalists selected from a competitive pool of nominees representing 30 of the 34 Sea Grant programs in the coastal and Great Lakes states and territories.  

Gabriella Giordano, 2024 Knauss fellow.

“I hope the Knauss Fellowship will help guide me to further develop my career goals,” said Giordano. “I know I want to blend my science background with community education and engagement. Policy is just one tool to do that with and may open doors to launch my career.”  

Giordano received her master’s degree in marine science from UGA in 2023. Her graduate thesis explored the influence of salinity-driven plant community changes in Satilla River marshes on the characteristics of soil carbon. She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and geography from Villanova University.  

UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant is currently accepting applications for the 2025 Knauss fellowship. For information on applying, please visit https://gacoast.uga.edu/knauss-fellowship/  

A recent study by University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, funded by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division, sheds light on the economic contributions of saltwater recreational fishing to Georgia’s coastal economy. 

Saltwater recreational fishing is a popular activity that draws anglers to Georgia’s coastal water bodies, including its tidal creeks, sounds and open ocean. This industry encompasses a diverse group of amateur anglers and enthusiasts who cast their lines from personal boats and docks, public beaches and piers.  

The study, led by UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s Coastal Economist Eugene Frimpong, found that in 2022, over a quarter of a million recreational anglers spent $223.7 million on saltwater fishing activities in Georgia. These activities include purchasing fishing tackle, such as fishing rods, lines, and lures, while also incurring additional expenses related to transportation and food.  

According to Frimpong, money spent on saltwater recreational fishing circulates through Georgia’s economy, creating a multiplier effect where every dollar spent can have a significant impact as it moves across different sectors. Results of the study show that saltwater recreational fishing trips in Georgia supported 3,217 full-time or part-time jobs and contributed $310.6 million in sales in 2022.  

“The study reveals the significant economic contribution of this particular sector to Georgia’s coastal economy,” says Frimpong. “It also provides the state with baseline socioeconomic information to inform management practices that support the economic viability of saltwater recreational fishing and the overall health of our coastal resources.”

According to Carolyn Belcher, marine fisheries section chief at Georgia DNR’s Coastal Resources Division, most fishery management decisions are informed by the health of a fish population, which is determined through stock assessment models. Implementing fishing seasons as well size and catch limits are ways to maintain healthy populations.  

“The effects of these actions are easy to assess on the fish because of the availability of fishery-dependent data sources; however, without socioeconomic information like the data provided by this UGA study, it is difficult to assess how proposed management will affect the people involved in the fishery,” says Belcher.  

Frimpong gathered information for the study through a state-wide survey of recreational anglers. In addition to collecting expenditure data, the survey included demographic and geographic questions to gain insight into who engages in saltwater recreational fishing and where anglers fish.  

“Knowing the most popular destinations for recreational fishing and whether people are fishing by boat or from a pier helps us determine who and where to target educational resources and programs that help protect and conserve our fisheries resources,” says Bryan Fluech, associate director of extension at UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant.  

UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s Guide to Coastal Fishing in Georgia map series feature a map of the inshore coastal waters within each county as well as tips on responsible harvesting practices. Knowing, through the study, that Glynn, Chatham and Camden counties are the top three fishing destinations in coastal Georgia enables extension professionals to make sure tackle shops and marinas in these counties are stocked with the guides and other resources.  

A Trawl to Trash bag hangs on a dock post as a resource for collecting debris along waterways.

This information will also allow UGA staff to target specific counties and sites with outreach programs, like Trawl to Trash, which is designed to educate boaters and beachgoers about the impacts of marine debris and encourage use of recycled trawl bags to collect and remove debris from Georgia’s waterways.  

“Trawl to Trash was launched with recreational anglers in mind, realizing they often need a way to collect and store debris while on the water,” says Fluech. “Knowing that most recreational fishing is happening by boat or from shore validates our efforts to target outreach efforts at marinas and public access points.”  

Georgia’s saltwater recreational fishing sector is intricately linked with multiple industries, including retail, manufacturing, hospitality and tourism. It not only generates government revenue through taxes and fees but also plays a crucial role in supporting conservation efforts. The economic significance and cultural popularity of the industry underscores the importance of adopting sustainable practices and effective management to ensure the industry’s sustainable growth and success in Georgia.

Writer: Emily Kenworthy, ekenworthy@uga.edu, 336-466-1520 
Contact: Eugene Frimpong, eugene.frimpong@uga.edu, 912-262-2379

“We Know Georgia” showcases how UGA is using its expertise and resources to spur economic prosperity across the state and uphold its commitment to serve Georgia. We are sharing stories of resiliency, entrepreneurship, sustainability and economic prosperity to show how UGA works with communities to make life better for Georgians. Learn more here.

Four college graduates will work with state, federal and non-governmental agencies over the next year as part of the UGA Marine Extension Georgia Sea Grant State Fellowship. The fellowship places recent graduate students in host offices where they gain hands-on experience in resource management, outreach, planning and policy implementation.

“We’re excited to collaborate with partners to facilitate these learning opportunities and nurture the professional growth and development of the next generation of leaders on the coast,” said Mark Risse, director of UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant.

This is the fifth year that Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant has offered the state fellowship, which is open to in and out-of-state graduate students. So far, 16 students have participated in the program.

The 2023-24 state fellows will work with the following partners: Georgia Conservancy, NOAA Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, The Nature Conservancy – Georgia, and Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve and Sapelo Island Cultural and Revitalization Society.

Nia Burnett has a bachelor’s in environmental studies from Allegheny College. She is currently completing her master’s in marine science at Savannah State University, where she is studying environmental toxicology, namely microplastics in benthic environments and how marine invertebrates interact with them. As a fellow working with Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve and Sapelo Island Cultural and Revitalization Society, she will be developing recommendations for flood mitigation on Sapelo Island, home of the Hog Hammock Gullah Geechee community. These recommendations will be created with the idea of enhancing the resilience of the community to climate change and sea level rise.

“My career goals are to figure out a way to combine my love for, and experiences in, education and outreach with STEM, research, and community engagement. I truly want people to feel like they have all of the knowledge and power to make informed environmental decisions about their communities. With this fellowship, I hope to gain the experience that can give me a blueprint to move forward with,” Burnett said.

Daniel Harris completed his undergraduate studies in geology and zoology from the National University of Ireland, Galway. He went on to pursue a Ph.D. in ecology from UGA where he studied the interaction between Georgia’s salt marshes and oyster reefs along the coast. Harris will be working with The Nature Conservancy – Georgia. At The Nature Conservancy, Harris will be collaborating with underserved communities, aquaculture professionals, academics, and resource managers to develop an Integrated Oyster Resiliency Plan for the state of Georgia.

“I love oysters! For an invertebrate, oysters are amazing little ambassadors of resilient coastal ecosystems. I am excited about this fellowship, as it is a great opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of stakeholders towards the common goal of promoting and protecting these amazing organisms,” Harris said.

Kathy Liu completed her undergraduate degree at Scripps College in Claremont, California, before pursuing a master’s from the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science in Miami, Florida. As part of her graduate degree, she studied bonnethead shark head morphology, sexual dimorphism and diet. As a fellow with Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, Liu will help to advance the scientific research, policy, and planning projects of the sanctuary. She will also support outreach, education and internship programs.

“This fellowship allows me the opportunity to continue exploring my interests in marine science while being able to translate the work done by the sanctuary to the public. I am passionate about conducting research on marine organisms and ecosystems and the fellowship will give me the opportunity to learn about the connectivity of Georgia’s ecosystems and see the long-term monitoring work done by Gray’s Reef,” Liu said.

Monét Murphy graduated from Savannah State University with a bachelor’s in marine science and environmental science. As part of her undergrad, she studied benthic foraminifera in the Savannah River Estuary, which are tiny, single-celled organisms that can serve as bioindicators of environmental conditions in marine environments. Murphy is currently pursuing her master’s in marine science at Savannah State University. As a fellow with the Georgia Conservancy, Murphy will work with partners and regional stakeholders to advance the South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative (SASMI) in Georgia. SASMI is a multi-state coalition working to conserve the 1 million acres of salt marsh in the South Atlantic region. Murphy will also support efforts to raise awareness among recreational boaters about threats to North American right whales.

“My dedication to environmental justice drives my enthusiasm to engage in research, conservation, and restoration efforts that ensure equitable access to the benefits of a thriving ecosystem, particularly for marginalized communities. I am eager to contribute to the development of a sustainable and diversified local economy, responsible urban planning, and community engagement strategies that foster a deeper connection between residents and the coastal environment,” Murphy said.

Three recent college graduates have been awarded one-year marine education fellowships with University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. Based at the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium on Skidaway Island, the fellowship provides early career professionals with experience in environmental education, animal husbandry and coastal extension.  

Throughout the year, the fellows will teach field, lab and lecture classes that are offered to visiting school groups. They will work behind the scenes at the aquarium and collaborate with Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant staff to incorporate information about community-based research and extension projects into educational programming.  

The fellows will also participate in professional development opportunities and build a network of environmental educators, marine researchers and conservationists working in coastal Georgia.  

Meet the 2023-2024 fellows:  

Virginia Hawkins is from Pinetops, North Carolina. She graduated with a bachelor’s in environmental science from Western Carolina University. Prior to the fellowship, Hawkins worked as an assistant park ranger on the coast of North Carolina and served in AmeriCorps in coastal Maine. Hawkins will be collaborating with Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s extension specialists during her fellowship, finding ways to enhance community programming and sharing the impact of extension work with Georgia’s coastal communities.

Huxleyann Huefner is from Salt Lake City, Utah. She graduated from Scripps College, one of the Claremont Colleges in California, with a degree in biology. In college, Huefner participated in a study abroad program with Sea Education Association, where she engaged in research on humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins, and deep-sea coral. This experience also provided opportunities to interact with students, which she really enjoyed and is what drew her to the marine education fellowship. Heufner will be teaching marine science and coastal ecology classes at the aquarium and participating in outreach events along the coast. 

Lindsey Thomas is from Savannah, Georgia. She attended Georgia Southern University and graduated with a degree in marine biology and a minor in psychology. Before becoming a fellow, Thomas served as a volunteer at the UGA Aquarium for two years and also interned with Savannah Wildlife Rescue Center. Her passion for marine animals and the ocean is what drew her to this fellowship. She will be gaining skills in animal husbandry at the aquarium as well as educating visitors about Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s efforts to improve the health of the coast.  

Anytime you take a dip in the ocean, you can expect to be swimming among hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of microscopic organisms called phytoplankton. They come in different shapes and sizes, and all play a critical role in the marine ecosystem, serving as the base of the marine food web and providing at least half the Earth’s oxygen.

In a balanced ecosystem, phytoplankton provide food for a wide range of marine life; however, when too many nutrients are available, some may grow out of control and form harmful algal blooms (HABs) that affect fish, shellfish, mammals, birds and even people.

“As nutrients and pollutants are making their way to the coast, monitoring harmful algal blooms is increasingly important,” says Katie Higgins, volunteer coordinator and marine educator at UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant.

Assistant Professor Natalie Cohen, UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography.

To help monitor the potential for harmful blooms, a UGA team including Higgins and Natalie Cohen, assistant professor at UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography was formed. They are collaborating to better track and understand HAB events along the coast as part of a research project funded by SECOORA, the Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association.

“Currently, the only HABs monitoring in Georgia is done through NOAA’s Phytoplankton Monitoring Network (PMN),” says Higgins, who coordinates a team of UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant volunteers who have participated in the network for 20 years by monitoring a site on the Skidaway River behind the UGA Aquarium. Every Thursday, volunteers collect water samples from the river and process them in the lab at the aquarium, counting and observing the abundance the phytoplankton in each sample before submitting the information to NOAA.

Back in 2017, their monitoring efforts helped researchers at UGA Skidaway Institute document a bloom of Akashiwo sanguinea, a type of phytoplankton considered to be a harmful algal species. The bloom coincided with a massive die-off of oyster larvae in UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s Shellfish Research Lab, located next door to the sampling site. At the time, researchers hypothesized that this species of algae was to blame. It produces a sticky substance that has killed birds during blooms on the west coast by damaging the water proofing on their feathers.

Mallory Mintz takes a water sample from the Skidaway River.

“The event in the Skidaway River demonstrated that [HABs] have the potential to happen here and could cause harm to local aquaculture,” says Cohen. She is working with Mallory Mintz, a master’s student at UGA, to build on the PMN volunteer monitoring efforts by collecting weekly data on cell densities of HAB species over a two-year period and incorporating more water quality parameters into the sampling effort.

By collecting quantitative cell count data and measuring oxygen, pH and salinity at the sampling site, the team can start to better understand environmental drivers that are conducive to HAB formation in Georgia estuaries, specifically Akashiwo.

“This is sort of the first step in coming up with a forecasting plan. We really have to figure out environmental parameters that are most important, and later we can predict when blooms are likely to occur,” says Cohen.

While volunteer observations have suggested a seasonality to the abundance of Akashiwo in the Skidaway River, through this more robust monitoring effort, the research team was able, for the first time, to quantify Akashiwo presence over an entire year and correlate this with water quality parameters.

“Starting in late July, Akashiwo cell counts went from undetectable to a max of 150 cells per milliliter, reaching bloom level,” says Cohen.

“We hope that through this season and next summer, we’ll see if there are patterns over time.”

The ultimate goal is to establish a regional notification network to communicate with local residents and aquaculture organizations in coastal Georgia about HABs. All the water quality and cell count data obtained through the project will be made publicly accessible so that others will be able to explore the data.

“These UGA and volunteer efforts will promote awareness and establish connections between scientists, shellfish farmers, and residents interested in the seasonal timing of blooms and the potential for HAB events to become more frequent in Georgia,” says Higgins.

Four artists based in Savannah, Athens, and Kennesaw will soon launch new projects exploring Georgia’s coastal culture and natural resources through art as part of UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s Artists, Writers and Scholars program, which launched in 2021.

The program supports Georgia artists to create professional-quality art and literature that increases awareness of Georgia’s marine environments, improves understanding of Georgia’s coastal communities, and helps document history, culture or heritage of Georgia’s coast.

“The Artist, Writers and Scholars program has expanded significantly in terms of reach since its inception two years ago,” says Mark Risse, director of UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. “We’ve hosted two art exhibitions at our aquarium facility in the last year, and many of our collaborators have been featured in art shows across the state. We’re excited to cultivate these new partnerships with the art community and involve audiences in important coastal issues using creative disciplines.”

This year’s cohort includes artists who specialize in painting, illustration, music and dance. Their projects will use various art forms to highlight relationships within animal communities as well as relationships between humans and the natural world.

The 2023 grant recipients include:

A sample of work by Eckman, Reframe (2020), explores the lines between extroversion and introversion, public and private isolation – lines that artists everywhere were facing during the time of Covid-19.

Autumn Eckman, an assistant professor of dance at Kennesaw State University. Prior to KSU, she served as an assistant professor at the University of Arizona and as an instructor at Northern Illinois University. Her background includes creating concert dance pieces and dance films inspired by environmental issues, including glacial deterioration and forest fire destruction due to wildfires on protected land. As part of her project, Eckman will bring awareness to the environmental challenges along the Georgia coast through movement film and storytelling. She will create a dance piece that explores environmental awareness as an element of survival through themes related to the effects of human activities on the environment, including climate change, pollution and habitat destruction.

“I hope audiences take away ways in which the arts can illuminate the importance of environmental responsibility and build awareness of the beautiful and sacred treasures that exist within and along the Georgia Coast,” Eckman said.

An example of a large ensemble piece by Lane, UNT Wind Symphony (2017)

Peter Van Zandt Lane is an associate professor at UGA, where he teaches composition and electronic music. He also directs the Roger and Phyllis Dancz Center for New Music, a hub for experimental music, recording arts, and electronic music and acoustic research at UGA. For his project, he will compose a piece for a large ensemble that incorporates data sonification and live electronics, drawing on data from Georgia Coastal Ecosystems Long Term Ecological Research site based at the UGA Marine Institute on Sapelo Island. The piece will incorporate composition and data sonification to explore concepts of ecological thresholds and resiliency in the face of environmental disturbances.

“I hope that this project brings together people who love classical music and people who care about the Georgia coastal environment. I believe music is a powerful means to reflect on the issues of our time,” Lane said.

A sample of work by Nolan, a red-bellied woodpecker.

Jennifer Nolan graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in illustration. Animals have always been the subject of her paintings, which have been exhibited in Georgia and abroad. Currently her paintings are represented in galleries in Savannah, including Reynolds Square Fine Art and others. Nolan will be creating five large paintings that highlight moments, situations and emotions that are common to humans but revealed in nature. Her pieces will showcase relationships in the natural world that depict human elements, enabling audiences to better empathize and understand the parallels between human and animal communities.

“My desire is that these paintings will reach past socioeconomic, age, sex and racial differences. I specifically want to remind those who have forgotten or who never had known how precious our coastline is and why it needs to be appreciated. In this process I hope to bring joy, wonder, comfort and beauty to viewers,” Nolan said.

A sample of work by Stutz, an American alligator.

Josh Stutz studied at Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan, earning his bachelor’s in illustration in 2020 before moving to Savannah in 2021. As someone who loves the outdoors, he developed a strong interest in natural science illustration and the role illustration can play in educational material. Stutz’s project will involve ilustrating endangered and threatened species in coastal Georgia to be featured in a book that describes the threats they face and explains how the health of the coast is connected to the health of the planet.

“I want people to acknowledge the impact we as humans have had on our coast, maybe learn about a new species they haven’t heard of, and feel empowered to do what they can to help keep them around,” Stutz said.

Five graduate students from the University of Georgia, Georgia Southern University and Georgia Tech have been selected to lead year-long coastal research projects as part of the Georgia Sea Grant Research Traineeship. This marks the sixth year of the traineeship, which has supported a total of 36 students from universities across Georgia since its launch in 2018.

“The research traineeship allows students to apply their knowledge and identify solutions to real world issues in collaboration with coastal experts in marine science and coastal ecology,” says Mark Risse, director of UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. “The traineeship gives students the opportunity to design and execute their own projects, preparing a diverse workforce for jobs in the future.”

As part of the traineeship, students conduct independent research projects that address one of UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s four focus areas: healthy coastal ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, resilient communities and economies, and environmental literacy and workforce development.

The students conduct these projects while being advised by university mentors. They are also encouraged to work with extension and education specialists at Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant to collaborate and share their research with coastal communities.

Anna Carnes

Anna Carnes is an undergraduate student in biology at Georgia Tech where she’s studying marsh restoration, particularly the use of native versus nonnative Spartina alterniflora species in Georgia marshes.

As part of her traineeship, she will compare the genetic diversity of Spartina alterniflora populations from natural Georgia ecosystems to those of nurseries from adjacent states. She will also look at the success rate of planting native spartina versus the nonnative varieties. There are currently no nurseries in Georgia that supply native Spartina. Carne’s research will help determine the need for local sources at plant nurseries and will inform future marsh restoration practices.

“I am excited to collaborate with people who are as enthusiastic about the marsh and restoration as I am. This opportunity will help me to grow as a research scientist by providing feedback on my work and connecting me with mentors to learn from,” Carnes said.

Alejandra Daniel

Alejandra Daniel is a master’s student in biology at Georgia Southern University. She is studying corals found along the southeastern coast of the U.S., specifically Oculina arbuscula.

Oculina arbuscula has been found to be resilient to the negative effects of climate change, including ocean acidification. Unlike most corals, Oculina arbuscula can continue to produce its skeleton when exposed to ocean acidification. Daniel’s project will involve studying the mechanism behind the coral’s resilience to ocean acidification.

“My professional goal is to pursue a career where I can both perform marine research and help develop programs that not only strive to eliminate societal pressures that deter K-12 children from developing a baseline knowledge of science, but also spark a curiosity about science that results in a desire for continued knowledge. The traineeship will assist me in reaching these goals,” Daniel said.

Julia Frees

Julia Frees, a master’s student in biology at Georgia Southern University, is studying the impact of contaminants, including microplastic fibers and pharmaceutical chemicals, on oysters.

Her project will involve studying whether microplastic fibers increase the uptake of synthetic estrogen by eastern oysters. She will survey the levels of pollutants in oysters in coastal Georgia and conduct lab experiments to examine how microplastic fiber exposure affects synthetic estrogen concentration in oyster tissue, oyster growth and reproduction. The findings will be valuable to recreational and commercial oyster harvesters.

Frees will be working with Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s Water Resource Specialist, Katy Smith, to deliver educational workshops to the public and the aquaculture community.

“As I interact with these groups to increase awareness of microplastic fiber and synthetic estrogen contamination, I will build rapport and gain a better sense of their needs. Ultimately, the skills that I will develop through the traineeship will equip me to accomplish my goal of applying research to improve conservation by working for a non-governmental organization, private conservation group, or federal/state environmental department,” Frees said.

Diane Klement

Diane Klement, a master’s student at the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, is studying migratory bird populations, particularly those experiencing rapid declines, like the painted bunting.

Her project seeks to understand which plants provide high-quality habitat for migratory birds to inform conservation efforts. Her research will use new tracking technologies and corresponding space-use estimates to accurately quantify habitat quality for the painted bunting. Findings will be shared with coastal resource managers and homeowners to inform these groups about which plant species provide preferred bunting habitat.

“I applied for the Georgia Sea Grant Research Traineeship due to the program’s commitment to serving coastal Georgia through integrated research, extension, and education programs in collaboration with the local community. Working with [the organization] in the past allowed me to grow as a science communicator, introduced me to partners conducting innovative coastal research, and ultimately led me to attend UGA for graduate school, and I am so grateful to continue this partnership through the research traineeship,” said Klement, who served as a 2022 marine education fellow for UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant.

Mallory Mintz

Mallory Mintz is a master’s student in the University of Georgia Department of Marine Sciences. Based at UGA’s Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, her research focuses on harmful algal blooms on the coast.

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are increasing due to warming waters and increased nutrient runoff. In Georgia’s Skidaway River, HABs are largely unreported despite their potential impact on oyster aquaculture. Mintz’s research involves collaborating with UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant volunteers who participate in NOAA’s Phytoplankton Monitoring Network to document the abundance of a HAB-forming red tide species, Akashiwo sanguinea. She hopes to determine the drivers of Akashiwo blooms and enhance understanding of HAB dynamics in coastal Georgia to improve monitoring efforts.

“The traineeship not only provides financial support to allow me to continue research for another year, but it fosters invaluable professional connections with the Georgia scientific community. I look forward to collaborating with peers and mentors to continue my ongoing research and contribute to the broader scientific community,” Mintz said.

The Georgia Sea Grant Research Traineeship program is funded by Georgia Sea Grant, part of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a network of 34 Sea Grant programs located in coastal and Great Lakes states and territories.

Dive into the mesmerizing world of marine science and metal artistry with Athens-based artist Barbara Mann’s latest exhibition, “Forging Connections: Metal Art Inspired by the Marine Carbon Cycle,” on display at the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium on Skidaway Island from Aug. 23 – Oct. 16, 2023.

Mann has been working with metal and jewelry for more than 45 years. Her fascination with marine processes, like the carbon cycle, and the role of marine life within these processes is serving as the inspiration for her latest collection funded by UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s Artists, Writers and Scholars program. The program supports projects designed to produce professional-quality art and literature that increases awareness of Georgia’s marine environments, improves understanding of Georgia’s coastal communities, and helps document history, culture, or heritage of Georgia’s coast.

Artist Barbara Mann gives a talk about her work at a recent Evening @ Skidaway event.

As part of her project, Mann created several pieces representing the plankton community, the marine carbon cycle and oyster growth and development, including four wall pieces, two necklaces, and two vases made of copper, brass, silver, iron and other materials.

Mann’s collection draws inspiration from the plankton research conducted by UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography faculty, as well as oyster research conducted at Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s UGA Shellfish Research Lab.

View the exhibition when you visit the UGA Aquarium, which is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. More information is available at gacoast.uga.edu/aquarium.

A selection of Mann’s pieces on display at the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium.