"Day In The Life Of The Hudson River" Brings Students Outside For Scientific Exploration

By: Amanda Farinacci

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Class was held outside Tuesday for many students across the state as part of the ninth annual “Day in the life of the Hudson River." NY1’s Amanda Farinacci filed the following report.

Swindler Cove Park is nestled right behind PS 5 and right in front of the Harlem River, making that offshoot of the Hudson a perfect place for students to participate in the ninth annual "Day in the Life of the Hudson River."

“You go out actually to see it, you see it with your real eyes. It's really fun because it's a nice site,” said fourth grader Angelique Reyes.

The State Department of Environmental Conservation sponsors the day-long event that's getting kids out of the classroom to explore along the water. It's all hands on: students collect scientific information using water and mud samples.

“We're exploring the river to see the different particles it has and to try to help the river get more clean,” said fourth grader Ignacio Aracena.

The DEC works in conjunction with the nonprofit New York Restoration Project on the yearly event. It's meant to teach students how their portion of the river fits into the larger ecosystem.

"People think that the river is very polluted, and don't get me wrong, there's still a lot that can be done to improve the health of it, but we've noticed that there's actually a lot life living in the river. There's a lot of oxygen. The salt levels seem to be normal, so it really is healthier than people think," said Omari Washington of the New York Restoration Project.

In about a week, data collected from the more than 60 locations where the event took place will be posted online. It's for teachers and students to use to get a complete picture of the river from all over the state.

“Its fresh up near Albany, it's salty down here. How does the fish life change? How does salinity change? How does turbidity change, the muddiness of the water change as you come south?” said Steve Stanne of the DEC.

The students say they're excited to find the answers to those questions and say they won't even mind being tested on what they've learned, because seeing it firsthand makes it easier to remember.