CresLi.org programs foster stewardship and understanding of NY's
Title
Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island (CRESLI)Website
Description
The Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island, was founded in the summer of 1996 by a group of experts in marine mammal science, environmental sciences, education and conservation. CRESLI was formed for the purposes of conducting research, providing educational experiences and promoting conservation of coastal ecosystems.
Research and education are inextricably linked in all CRESLI activities. As such, CRESLI actively seeks cooperative alliances with researchers, educational institutions, and the participation of the general public. Many of the cetacean research projects, for example, utilize public whale watch cruises as a platform for collecting data and educating the public at the same time.
Commercial fishermen and pleasure boaters have also been enlisted to provide sighting information used in population and distribution studies, as well as assisting in the rescue of stranded and entrapped animals. This public participation has not only led to the finding that Long Island's coastlines provide a critical habitat for juvenile loggerhead, Kemp's ridley and green sea turtles, but has also fostered greater awareness and appreciation of these animals and their habitats among fishermen, boaters and the public.
