USGS Researchers will travel to Patchogue, NY, to meet with Superintendent and Staff at Fire Island National Seashore

They will be joined by WHCMSC Research Geologists Erika Lentz and Benjamin Gutierrez, and CNT Programmer Richard Snell. The purpose of the trip is two-fold. First, Erika, Jennifer, and Richard will provide a demonstration of a recently published USGS geonarrative, entitled Coastal Change at Fire Island (https://wim.usgs.gov/geonarrative/ficc/). The interactive, web-based product will be utilized throughout the park to communicate how USGS coastal change research provides information about the physical environment at FIIS that is relevant to park decision-makers and the public. Second, the group will summarize various USGS research efforts that are ongoing at FIIS. Drs. Lentz, Zeigler, and Gutierrez will present their research on predictions of future coastal behavior and impacts to threatened species habitat. Dr. Miselis will summarize the spatial variability in sandbar morphology and geology along the island. Dr. Nelson will discuss inlet morphologic evolution and impacts to adjacent shorelines. Finally, Dr. Ciarletta, a Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow, will introduce his plans for research within FIIS. It is anticipated that the visit will highlight the collaborative relationship between USGS and FIIS and the resulting value of sustained research within National Parks, for the CMHR Program, NPS, and other DOI partners.

Read what else is new at the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center.