The Batten School and Virginia Institute of Marine Science have announced summer programming on the Gloucester Point campus.
Public behind-the-scenes tours are available every Friday from now through Aug. 22, with the exception of July 4. Learn more about the local and global impact of research being conducted on campus.
These 90-minute guided tours are designed for adults and older children. Children ages 10 and up are welcome to attend, but must be accompanied by a guardian. The tours are not appropriate for younger children.
All tours include a guided interpretation of the VIMS visitor center, including an opportunity to view gag grouper, catsharks, oyster toadfish and more. Guests will also visit two research laboratories/facilities.
All individuals must register individually for the tour as each registration reserves one spot. Advance registration is required. Walk-ups will not be permitted to join the tour unless there is space available. Tours will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. and 1-2:30 p.m.
After Hours
VIMS will also hold two After House lectures this summer on July 17 and Aug. 21.
The first lecture will be on, “The National TRAP Program: Tackling derelict fishing gear from coast to coast!” VIMS has awarded over $1.4 million to fund 11 projects centered on removing derelict fishing traps from coastal waters across the U.S. and Palau through the National Fishing Trap Removal, Assessment & Prevention (TRAP) Program.
With support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program and funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the projects apply regional solutions to the global problem of abandoned fishing gear, from diving in waters up to 130 feet deep to retrieve lobster and crab traps in protected ecosystems to the removal of debris in tribal fishing grounds.
Noah Tait and Renee Sanders, marine scientists in the Center for Coastal Resources Management, will explain how these projects will benefit coastal ecosystems and resources, from reducing bycatch of unintended marine species to identifying the types, sources and locations of lost fishing traps; high-use conflict areas; and ecological and economic impacts of these derelict fishing traps.
Join VIMS on Aug. 21 as it celebrates 25 years of the VIMS teaching marsh during this special After Hours lecture. The teaching marsh is a one-acre tidal wetland restoration and education project that first began in 2000.
Karen Duhring, a marine scientist with the CCRM, will share a historical account of the conception and restoration of this important marsh habitat, as well as insight into the important ecological and educational services that it continues to provide, from filtering storm water runoff to serving as a demonstration area for communities to learn about native wetland plant and animal species.
After Hours lectures are designed for an adult audience. The lectures will be held in-person in the McHugh Auditorium and will also be available as a livestreamed webinar. Registration is required for both in-person and webinar attendees. Webinar links will be sent in all registration confirmation emails.
At this time, VIMS expects both lectures to be hybrid events, but registrants will be notified in advance if the event moves to a virtual-only format.
Pawpaw Festival
VIMS is sponsoring the fifth annual Pawpaw Festival at Historic Endview, a museum in Newport News, on Saturday, Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Celebrate one of Virginia’s native fruits during the festival. Enjoy free tastings, raffles for pawpaw saplings, educational booths and talks by local nonprofits and researchers (including educators from VIMS), live music, food and children’s activities.