Ask a Scientist: Secret Science Club

Hudson River Park’s Ask a Scientist returns with Secret Science Club

Secret Science Club flows into Hudson River Park’s brand-new Discovery Tank on beautiful Pier 57 to explore what happens when “Urban Meets Wild.”

Biologists Dianne Greenfield and Chester Zarnoch dive into the wild waters of the Hudson River Estuary to examine how the health of this ecosystem is impaced (in both good ways and bad) by human activities.

Before & After the Talks

• Check out the cool interactive exhibits & microscopes at the Discovery Tank!
• Stop by the Pier’s blazin’ new food court, Market 57, with vendors curated by the James Beard Foundation!
• Groove to red-hot tunes in our “Ebb Tide Lounge”
• Imbibe thirst-quenching beers & soft drinks
• Ask a scientist (or two!) about HRPK’s newsworthy new beach (and less well-known new wetlands), how the city’s antiquated combined sewage system affects aquatic species, whether newly planted wetlands are helping to clean up pollution, and what we can all do to protect our estuarty and its wildlife.

The Scientists

Dianne Greenfield is an associate professor at the Advanced Science Research Center at the Graduate Center, CUNY. As a visiting researcher at Hudson River Park, she is studying how wet weather (rainfall, storms) associated with combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharge influences the diversity & ecological function of the Lower Hudson River Estuary.

Chester Zarnoch is a professor in the Department of Natural Sciences at Baruch College, CUNY, where he runs the Benthic Ecology Lab. He is also a visiting researcher at Hudson River Park. He studies restored marshlands in urban environments (such as NYC’s Hudson River Estuary) and measures their ability to remove nitrogen (a pollutant from human activities) and sequester carbon.

About Ask A Scientist

This event invites participants to explore a fascinating science topic and engage in a live Q&A session with the experts. Hudson River Park is teaming up with local partners to offer this special series of informative and entertaining events. Invite your friends to an evening of science fun and ask the scientists your burning questions.

Upcoming Events:

• Thursday February 8 in the Pier 57 Discovery Tank with Secret Science Club