ACTIVITIES & SITES
Tide Chart - "Time and tide wait for no man."-Geoffrey Chaucer
The above saying holds true for our activities here at CBFS. Be sure to check that your activities will work with the tides during your trip.
Visit the NOAA Tide Chart Database here.
The above saying holds true for our activities here at CBFS. Be sure to check that your activities will work with the tides during your trip.
Visit the NOAA Tide Chart Database here.
Wallops Island
Wallops Island is a barrier island that is home to NASA and Navy facilities. There is no public access to the island. Our staff have security clearance to escort your group onto this beautiful barrier island (but not the NASA and Navy facilities). This is a great opportunity to examine barrier island ecology, from salt marsh, through maritime forest and freshwater wetlands, to the dunes and beach.
Wallops Island is a barrier island that is home to NASA and Navy facilities. There is no public access to the island. Our staff have security clearance to escort your group onto this beautiful barrier island (but not the NASA and Navy facilities). This is a great opportunity to examine barrier island ecology, from salt marsh, through maritime forest and freshwater wetlands, to the dunes and beach.
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Whether on your own, or accompanied by our field instructors, the refuge should be a component of every visit to this area. The refuge constitutes the southern portion of Assateague Island. Although famous for it's ponies, there is plenty of wildlife ranging from aquatic to avian species. The Field Station has special access to a creek and mudflat area frequently used for exploration of the intertidal zone. Access can also be sought for the service road leading north from public areas. Sampling is also allowed in publicly accessible areas. Access to some areas requires advance permission. Please read this PDF on the refuge access.
Whether on your own, or accompanied by our field instructors, the refuge should be a component of every visit to this area. The refuge constitutes the southern portion of Assateague Island. Although famous for it's ponies, there is plenty of wildlife ranging from aquatic to avian species. The Field Station has special access to a creek and mudflat area frequently used for exploration of the intertidal zone. Access can also be sought for the service road leading north from public areas. Sampling is also allowed in publicly accessible areas. Access to some areas requires advance permission. Please read this PDF on the refuge access.
Kayaking
Kayaks are a great way of getting close to the bays, creeks, and cypress swamps. It immerses students in the environment in a way that motorized vessels do not. Our established routes are included in the map at the bottom of this page. We can also scout new routes to suit your needs. Our fleet of tandem kayaks can accommodate up to 16 people. Kayaks can be rented for the day or half day, (for inexperienced or mixed groups, half days are recommended). Included in the rental price is 1-2 staff members who provide instruction and guidance throughout the trip. Students assist with loading, unloading, and washing the kayaks. One-way trips with different start and end points may incur extra fees if additional staff and vehicles are required.
Kayaks are a great way of getting close to the bays, creeks, and cypress swamps. It immerses students in the environment in a way that motorized vessels do not. Our established routes are included in the map at the bottom of this page. We can also scout new routes to suit your needs. Our fleet of tandem kayaks can accommodate up to 16 people. Kayaks can be rented for the day or half day, (for inexperienced or mixed groups, half days are recommended). Included in the rental price is 1-2 staff members who provide instruction and guidance throughout the trip. Students assist with loading, unloading, and washing the kayaks. One-way trips with different start and end points may incur extra fees if additional staff and vehicles are required.
Vessels
The Field Station works with Daisey Island Cruises of Chincoteague to provide access to the tidal creeks and bays surrounding Chincoteague Island. Vessels have a strict limit of 23 participants (including faculty). A CBFS staff member will accompany all trips.
Some common activities include:
We also have a Boston Whaler for smaller trips. This vessel has a limit of 7 participants (including staff). A CBFS staff member will accompany these trips.
The Field Station works with Daisey Island Cruises of Chincoteague to provide access to the tidal creeks and bays surrounding Chincoteague Island. Vessels have a strict limit of 23 participants (including faculty). A CBFS staff member will accompany all trips.
Some common activities include:
- Plankton collection: We have a variety of mesh sizes ranging from 20-125 microns.
- Water sampling bottles: We use Van Dorn samplers. Niskins are available on request.
- Benthic sampling
- Water quality measurements with YSI instruments and/or refractometers, thermometers, etc.
- Secchi disk
- Trawling (see below)
- Birding
We also have a Boston Whaler for smaller trips. This vessel has a limit of 7 participants (including staff). A CBFS staff member will accompany these trips.
Trawling
On our vessels we use Otter Trawls, which are benthic trawls. Students participate in the deployment and retrieval of the net as well as sorting the catch. Trawling can be used for fish, invertebrate, or algae collection. Although we can never guarantee specific species, we can target known habitats. Be sure to communicate your trawl goals to our staff prior to your trip. On all vessels, data collection on the number of trawls, location, and species collected is required. A data form will be supplied to you. Students are also required to clean the net at the end of the trip.
Inshore trawling is done by hand and requires 3 volunteers for each deployment and retrieval of the net. Hydraulics do most of the heavy pulling but a few student volunteers are appreciated to assist with net retrieval.
On our vessels we use Otter Trawls, which are benthic trawls. Students participate in the deployment and retrieval of the net as well as sorting the catch. Trawling can be used for fish, invertebrate, or algae collection. Although we can never guarantee specific species, we can target known habitats. Be sure to communicate your trawl goals to our staff prior to your trip. On all vessels, data collection on the number of trawls, location, and species collected is required. A data form will be supplied to you. Students are also required to clean the net at the end of the trip.
Inshore trawling is done by hand and requires 3 volunteers for each deployment and retrieval of the net. Hydraulics do most of the heavy pulling but a few student volunteers are appreciated to assist with net retrieval.
