The New York District Times - U.S. Army

Army Corps and Partners Celebrate “Estuary Day”By Vince Elias, Public AffairsBalancing the Port and the environmentare two components of aworld class estuary – and on October12, 2012 an alliance of partnerswith the support of elected officialsconveyed this important initiativeto hundreds of area school studentsat the 10th annual Estuary Daycelebration.Held near the Elizabeth River atthe Peterstown Community Centerin Elizabeth, New Jersey, studentsarrived by the bus load in whatturned out to be a very successfulinteractive experience.Orchestrated by Future CityInc., and sponsored by the ElizabethRiver/Arthur Kill WatershedAssociation, the event’s success isattributed to a concerted effort andsteadfast partnership with stronglocal support. The program demonstratedthe importance of educationand community participationin preserving the environment.Partnering organizations includedthe Elizabeth River/ArthurKill Watershed Association, Cityof Elizabeth mayor’s office, U.S.Army Corps of Engineers, U.S.Coast Guard, U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency-Harbor EstuaryProgram, New Jersey State Departmentof Environmental Protection,NY/NJ Baykeeper, Green Infrastructureand support from the officesof U.S. Sen. Robert Menendezand Rep. Albio Sires (NJ-13).In a setting which was not atypical classroom, participatingagencies staffed table displays andserved as instructors, discussingwith students their respective organization’smission as it relates tothe port, harbor, estuary and aboutenvironmental stewardship.Commitment to selfless-serviceis one of the Army’s core values,and volunteers from the ArmyCorps’ New York District exemplifiedthis value by sharing theirexpertise with students and affordingthem an opportunity to bettercomprehend the history of the estuaryand its environmental state.Using a variety of visual aids,William Slezak, Chief of the ArmyCorps’ New York Harbor Programsalong with Lisa Baron, marinebiologist lectured at the Corps’ educationworkshops about the NewYork and New Jersey harbor estuaryand the significance of balancingthe Port and the environment,ecosystem restoration and activitiesassociated with restoration projectsand studies.Melissa Alvarez, Lisa Baron,Chonteau Johnson, Amanda Switzerand Thomas Wyche staffedthe live marine animal interactiveexhibit as Stephen Knowles interactedwith students nearby at hismodel of an estuary exhibit.“The Army Corps and its partnershave many roles, and focuson improving the New York andNew Jersey Harbor Estuary. Thisis another great opportunity tolearn about the Estuary,” saidSlezak at the opening ceremony.“It is our hope that each and everyone of you can leave from today’sworkshops with a little bit moreknowledge about the estuary andways we can affect changes in ourwatershed.”“Estuaries are national treasures-- vital ecological and communityresources whose health affects ourhealth and the vibrancy of our communitiesand economy,” said Baronwho has been a participant for thepast five years. “Estuary Day 2012was another fabulous event that exemplifiedstrong partnership with acommon goal to inform our futureleaders about the importance ofsustaining and improving the healthof the estuary.”It was especially rewarding forthe Corps and another opportunityto provide pupils with informationabout the Corps its many environmentalinitiatives in the region. Bysharing their knowledge, volunteersimparted how important the estuaryis to the region and the nationand students were able to take withthem their newfound knowledge toshare with their friends and familieson what they experienced andlearned at Estuary Day.New York District Building Strong ®Page 9