UNH Marine Docents are volunteers who present SeaTrek Education programs on a variety of marine topics through slide presentations, lectures, field trips and tours. Marine Docents receive extensive training by UNH faculty and other experts in the marine fields. SeaTreks are produced and presented by docents to school classes, clubs, civic organizations and other interested groups. The programs are designed to increase public awareness of the marine environment.
Docents come from all walks of life.
No prior marine experience is necessary - just interest, dedication and a willingness to learn. Great Bay Coast Watch High school and adult volunteers monitor the water quality at 20 selected sites in the Great Bay Estuary from April through November. They also do Pollution Source Indentification shoreline surveys, rainfall characterizations, habitat surveys, monitoring for toxic phytoplankton, and data entry on the computer. Collected data is used by scientists studying the Estuary as well as by local and state planning and conservation boards. All volunteers are trained in sampling techniques and meet once a month to turn in their results and to hear speakers on marine science research and coastal issues.