Ships to Save
the Waters 2002

Hosting Organizations
Schooner Sound Learning

Questions and Comments

If you want to find out about
last year's conference click here....

National Marine Educators Association Conference
July 20-27, 2002
New London, CT

SSW Conference
within a Conference
July 23, 2002

At several conferences attended over the past year (ASTA, SSW, SEAS and through my involvement with SENEME (South Eastern New England Marine Education Organization) as a chapter of NMEA (National Marine Education Association) conversations have revolved around the issue of bringing together people from all aspects of maritime life to get the truest possible exchange of ideas. Groups that have been named include teachers, principals, administrators, college and university professors, marine researchers, volunteer monitoring groups, deckhands, mates, captains, professional fisherman, lobsterman and shell fishermen, trades people, craftsman and commercial marina operators.

All too often it seems that, despite similar interests, many of these groups do not regularly interact. Time, circumstance and distance too often seem to erect invisible yet real barriers to communication. It is my hope that by utilizing the respective networks of ASTA, StStW, NMEA, SENEME, SEAS and other organizations that we can bring together all of the groups for a tremendous exchange of resources at the NMEA conference in New London, CT from July 20^th to 27^th 2002.

After discussions with the committee regarding the interests of the SSW group and the potential interests of other marine education organizations operating vessels the "idea plan" came into being. We are currently working from a "Conference within a Conference" theme, trying to blend the needs of our group with the needs of other groups and are very open to new ideas. Furthermore, we know that not everyone would be able to do each part but hope that everyone will be involved in to whatever capacity they are able.

The Conference Ideas:

Although the conference runs for 7 days, the main thrust of our involvement would be on Tuesday July 23. This day fits well within the conference schedule and provide maximum benefit to all.

On the 23^rd typical "conference" style presentations will be conducted through the day. Ship based education programs would be the focus of the morning discussions. In the evening, the conference participants will be heading to Mystic Seaport for a lobster bake. The ultimate goal is to bring as many of the conference participants to Mystic by water with each highlighting their own educational programs along the way. Docking for all ships in Mystic Seaport has been arranged.

On the 24^th we would like to invite ships to return to New London. Ships could be open informally throughout the day to allow conference participants a chance to visit ships they didn’t sail on the previous day.

The rest of the conference schedule is available on-line on the SENEME pages hosted by Project Oceanology.

For those who would like to take a look at conference summaries from the Ships to Save the Waters Conferences in 2000 and 2001, look on-line at http://www.ernestina.org/StStW.html and follow the links.

Please call or e-mail comments, questions, concerns and criticisms to Christopher Newlan: educator@schoonersoundlearning.org or (203) 865-1737 or by fax at (203) 624-8816.

Fair winds,

Chris Newlan

The Vision

The waters of the world are precious. Traditional sailing vessels are magical places where waters share their secrets and expose our vulnerability.

SSW brings these special vessels together with communities of organizations, resources and learners, broadcasts their message and recruits new stewards for sustainable, healthy world waters for this and future generations.

Communities and the natural environment can serve as an integrating context for learning.

Our Mission

To inform and inspire the creation and sustainability of watershed and water-borne programs for protection, preservation, restoration and celebration of our waters.

Shipboard
& Dockside Activities
Tuesday, July 23
through
Wednesday, July 24

If you don't see
your ship named here let us know...

Schooner Ernestina*
Schooner Quinnipiack*

Sloop Clearwater*

If you don't see
your organization listed here let us know...

SENEME (CT)
Schooner Sound Learning (CT)
Project Oceanology (CT)
Mystic Seaport Museum (CT)
American Sail Training Association (ASTA) (RI)
Delaware Bay Schooner Project (NJ)
Living Classrooms Foundation (MD)
Clearwater, Inc. (NY)
Across the Sea (Caribbean)
Monmouth County Friends of Clearwater (NJ)