WNPR’s “Where We Live” show on June 10 focused on Connecticut’s kelp industry, with host Lucy Nalpathanchil interviewing CTSG Aquaculture Extension Specialist Anoushka Concepcion, Stonington kelp farmer Suzie Flores and David Standridge, executive chef at the Shipwright’s Daughter restaurant in Mystic, where kelp is on the menu.

Listen to the show here. 

Post taken from Connecticut Sea Grant

The Blue Heritage Trail, a collaborative initiative developed by UConn Maritime Studies faculty and students with guidance and support from the Blue Heritage Trail Advisory Committee, has launched with the installation of eight informational signs at key sites in southeastern Connecticut.

The eight signs that were installed June 8 and 9 in Groton, New London and Waterford represent the first phase of the development of the Blue Heritage Trail. The signs can be found at: Bluff Point State Park and Coastal Reserve, Fort Trumbull State Park, Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park, Harkness Memorial State Park, Naval Submarine Base New London, New London Waterfront, Ocean Beach, and the University of Connecticut Avery Point campus. Partners in the project include Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Connecticut Sea Grant, Connecticut State Parks, Thames River Heritage Park, and UConn Avery Point. Sign fabrication and installation for this stage of the project is supported by National Park Service Maritime Heritage Grant funding.

The Blue Heritage Trail project aims to raise public awareness of the critical importance of the marine environment and maritime economy and culture for Connecticut and for people everywhere. Connecticut’s maritime heritage, which is based on a productive and richly diverse marine environment, is long and varied. It encompasses an historical trajectory that begins with the relationship of Native peoples to the marine environment and includes the development of a robust maritime economy, significant cultural practices and meanings, recreational opportunities, and military activities. Public awareness and appreciation of this heritage is critical to develop a more complete understanding of the value of the marine environment and maritime heritage of the United States as a whole.

The Blue Heritage Trail will ultimately consist of a series of walking, driving, and boating tours (found on the IZI travel app) and curated information on individual points of interest at various sites in the Thames River watershed and nearby coast. The information will be available on signs installed at the sites as well as via an interactive website designed to link these individual components into a cohesive Blue Heritage Trail.

For more information contact:  Dr. Nat Trumbull, Maritime Studies Program, University of Connecticut;  (508) 540 0308; trumbull@uconn.edu.

Photos: Judy Benson / Connecticut Sea Grant

Post taken from Connecticut Sea Grant

The UConn Extension Center located in Farmington, CT is seeking applications for one Educational Program Assistant 1. The full-time position is responsible for supporting and helping implement high-quality, comprehensive, Extension programming at different program sites throughout the region, with specific support to Forest Resources, EFNEP, Master Gardener, and 4-H programs. The Educational Program Assistant will report to the Center Coordinator to prioritize programmatic work assignments.

Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Assists and provides support to Extension Educators working with programs that may include but not be limited to Forest Resources, EFNEP, Master Gardener, and 4-H programs.
• Assists in developing educational programs, recruiting, explaining, and providing program information and processes to Extension volunteers and participants.
• Works with and helps develop and refine program databases using programs such as Excel and Access, to extrapolate relevant data sets, maintain program enrollments, membership, and volunteer records, and provide program reports to the Extension educators as required.
• Maintains accurate records on each program and assembles databases and prepares statistical and/or historical reports for Extension educators/Program Coordinators based on program outcomes.
• Performs office support functions in support of educational programs; processes paperwork, records, and files that may be computerized.
• Supports Extension Educators/Program Coordinators in implementing and providing off-site educational activities in the community to improve practical understanding and accomplish program goals.
• Provides assistance in assembling, arranging, organizing, and dismantling program event and activity set-ups and arrangements at various locations and venues, i.e. classrooms, fairgrounds, community centers, etc.
• Supports media relations activities for various programs; works with others to write and edit program and promotional materials for hard and soft copy publications and social media platforms.
• Assists Extension Educators/Program Coordinators in assessing clients’ capacity to participate in programs and helping to incorporate related knowledge into program activities for the greatest learning opportunities.
• Assists Extension Educators/Program Coordinators in developing and implementing programs to enhance learning and provide appropriate content-based experiences to accomplish program goals.
• Under supervision, provides educational training and conducts related support services on an ongoing basis, and assists in resolving problems in assigned area of responsibility.
• Assists with increasing community collaborations with partner groups.

For more information visit https://jobs.hr.uconn.edu/cw/en-us/job/496413/educational-program-assistant-1-hartford-county-extension