FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:

June 20, 2016

Patrician Price, 904-823-4506

GTM RESEARCH RESERVE SUMMER CAMPERS PARTICIPATE IN

OCEAN SAMPLING DAY

GTM summer campers take part in collecting samples during camp Ocean Week.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. - The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine
Research Reserve (GTM Research Reserve) and its 10-12 year-old Ocean Week summer
campers will be participating in Ocean Sampling Day by collecting ocean water samples
for the database. Former St. Johns County 4-H Marine Ecology Club member, Cybill
Winkel is also participating, in collaboration with the Osborne Wetland Biogeochemistry
Lab at Whitney-Marineland. The GTM Research Reserve has been partnering with the 4-H
club on marine ecology projects for a number of years.

"With our resources and help from our campers, we can teach the importance of our
oceans to the younger generation and help discover more about our oceans as well,"
said Michael Shirley, director of GTM Research Reserve.
The sample collection will take place on June 21 during the summer solstice where
scientists from all over the world will be collecting samples at the same time. It is
important that the samples are collected on this day in order to gather an accurate
baseline of microbial information. Mickler's Beach, St. Augustine Pier, Matanzas Inlet
and Blue Ocean Sails will also be participating in OSD.
The international collection of ocean water samples will help identify any changes in
the oceans' microbial diversity over time. Microbes are tiny microorganisms that make
up the biomass of the Earth's oceans and are indicators of ocean activity.
The time, date, location, water temperature and salinity of these samples will be
recorded in order to collect a wide range of specific data. These water samples
collected by GTM Research Reserve will contribute to the largest set of microbial data
ever taken in 2016.
About the GTM Research Reserve
The GTM Research Reserve is one of 28 National Estuarine Research Reserves across the nation focused
on researching, educating and protecting the natural biodiversity and cultural resources within the
estuary. It is managed by Florida Department of Environmental Protections Florida Coastal Office, in
partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Environmental Education
Center is located at 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082. For more information
about the GTM Research Reserve, please call 904-823-4500 or visit our website at www.gtmnerr.org.

-30-