Insect DNA Collection Event
FREE
Adults and Children, Ages 8 and up | Citizen Science
Help us catch ants, beetles, and mosquitos to help researchers unlock the secrets of their DNA.
Join other citizen scientists to collect Long Island insects for DNA sequencing!
In this event, participants will familiarize themselves with the biodiversity of Jones Beach, with a focus on local ant, beetle, and mosquito groups.
We will be catching insects with bug nets, and then attempting to identify them and label them for a database.
Attendees will be introduced to how DNA barcoding can be used to identify species, and will obtain, document, and preserve specimens for DNA isolation at future events. Collection and identification of these insects helps improve their range maps and can show how species are responding to environmental pressures such as global climate change.
Our Event Coordinator:
Olivia Trinkus - Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center Intern
Olivia Trinkus is a current high school senior interning at Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center. She plans to study molecular biology in college and is thinking of pursuing a career in research. She has always had a love for all living things but found her enthusiasm for biology through her AP Biology class in school. She wants to continue expanding her knowledge of science, from molecules to ecosystems, through everything she does. She hopes this experience in DNA barcoding through the Center will be another step towards her goal.
Monarch Tagging
FREE
Adults and Children Ages 6 and up | Citizen Science
Join our educators for an exciting community science program to capture, tag, and release Monarchs. The Monarch Watch Tagging Program is a large-scale community science project that was initiated in 1992 to help understand the dynamics of the monarch's spectacular fall migration through mark and recapture.
2:30-2:45: Sign In, Volunteer Registration
2:45-3:00: What is a Monarch? Where are they migrating?
3:00-3:45: Capturing Monarchs
3:45-4:00: Tag & Release
Monarch Tagging
FREE
Adults and Children Ages 6 and up | Citizen Science
Join our educators for an exciting community science program to capture, tag, and release Monarchs. The Monarch Watch Tagging Program is a large-scale community science project that was initiated in 1992 to help understand the dynamics of the monarch's spectacular fall migration through mark and recapture.
3:00-3:15: Sign In, Volunteer Registration
3:15-3:30: What is a Monarch? Where are they migrating?
3:30-4:15: Capturing Monarchs
4:15-4:30: Tag & Release
DNA Barcoding Wet Lab Event
FREE
Ages 12 and up | Citizen Science
with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s DNA Learning Center
Join other citizen scientists to process Long Island insects for DNA sequencing!
In this all-day event, participants will familiarize themselves with the biodiversity of Jones Beach, with a focus on local ant, beetle, and mosquito groups.
This event is a follow up event to the collection event that occurred in June. During this wet lab workshop, our partners at Cold Spring Harbor Labs will introduce participants to the hands-on DNA isolation of the collected specimens, amplification of the DNA barcode region, and gel electrophoresis.
We will provide:
Lab equipment
Computers
DNA Specimens
You must bring:
Lunch
Community Seining and Water Testing
Ages 8 and up | Citizen Science Event
Join an educator to learn all about seine fishing and learn all about the aquatic organisms that call Jones Bay home.
Seine fishing employs a large net (seine) with two poles. Two people stand parallel to the shore, each holding one pole. As it sweeps the water, the net catches aquatic organisms. After surveying these organisms, we will be returning them to the bay.
We will provide:
Seine net
You MUST bring:
Clothes you are comfortable getting wet.
Closed-toe water shoes. NO SANDALS OR FLIP FLOPS.
Water
Sunscreen
DNA Collection Event
FREE
Ages 8 and up | Citizen Science
with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s DNA Learning Center
Join other citizen scientists to collect Long Island insects for DNA sequencing!
In this three hour event, participants will familiarize themselves with the biodiversity of Jones Beach, with a focus on local ant, beetle, and mosquito groups.
Attendees will be introduced to how DNA barcoding can be used to identify species, and will obtain, document, and preserve specimens for DNA isolation at future events. Collection and identification of these insects helps improve their range maps and can show how species are responding to environmental pressures such as global climate change.
Community Seining and Water Testing
Ages 8 and up | Citizen Science Event
Join an educator to learn all about seine fishing and learn all about the aquatic organisms that call Jones Bay home.
Seine fishing employs a large net (seine) with two poles. Two people stand parallel to the shore, each holding one pole. As it sweeps the water, the net catches aquatic organisms. After surveying these organisms, we will be returning them to the bay.
We will provide:
Seine net
You MUST bring:
Clothes you are comfortable getting wet.
Closed-toe water shoes. NO SANDALS OR FLIP FLOPS.
Water
Sunscreen
Community Seining
Ages 8 and up | Citizen Science Event
Join an educator to learn all about seine fishing and learn all about the aquatic organisms that call Jones Bay home.
Seine fishing employs a large net (seine) with two poles. Two people stand parallel to the shore, each holding one pole. As it sweeps the water, the net catches aquatic organisms. After surveying these organisms, we will be returning them to the bay.
We will provide:
Seine net
You MUST bring:
Clothes you are comfortable getting wet.
Closed-toe water shoes. NO SANDALS OR FLIP FLOPS.
Water
Sunscreen
Community Seining
Ages 8 and up | Citizen Science Event
Join an educator to learn all about seine fishing and learn all about the aquatic organisms that call Jones Bay home.
Seine fishing employs a large net (seine) with two poles. Two people stand parallel to the shore, each holding one pole. As it sweeps the water, the net catches aquatic organisms. After surveying these organisms, we will be returning them to the bay.
We will provide:
Seine net
You MUST bring:
Clothes you are comfortable getting wet.
Closed-toe water shoes. NO SANDALS OR FLIP FLOPS.
Water
Sunscreen