Estuary Live 2005 - TEP's Live Internet Broadcast!

Only the smallest sliver of pre-dawn light, a moonbeam really, kept the small band of people shuffling down the narrow path from falling into the bay. Clad in hats and coats against the frosty morning air - carrying microscopes, camp chairs, maps, and more- they gradually transformed the jetty into a living outdoor classroom as the sun rose into a perfectly clear September sky.

Increasing sunlight brought corresponding bright smiles in the form of busloads of kids eager to be on camera, sharing what they'd learned with peers who would soon be watching them in classrooms from all around the country. Our outdoor classroom took on the atmosphere of a bustling, noisy theatre scene complete with stage sets, props, script notes and last minute instructions from the intrepid production crew. This highly professional, friendly threesome made everyone feel as if they were going to be stars in the next Hollywood hit!

Cameras Rolling on the E-Live Set

Only the most motivated of students were participating as ambassadors for their school during this once in a lifetime field trip. Sixth graders had competed in an essay contest to win their berth on the program, and middle and high schoolers qualified through being in advanced science classes. Local biologists, oyster growers, estuarine researchers, fishermen and others whose livelihood depends on the health of the estuary, all graciously agreed to spend their morning with these students exploring the estuary together.

"Lights!" "Camera!"

With only one hour to show the world that Tillamook Bay is one of the most beautiful estuaries on the planet, our many hours of research and practice were about to be put to the test when the cameraman signaled for all quiet on the set and called out "Action!" What followed next left no doubt in any viewer's mind that an estuary is one of the most vibrantly alive and fascinating ecosystems on earth.

Surrounded by the smiling faces of his classmates, Ben earnestly and accurately described those almost invisible plants and animals, known as plankton, that are the foundation of the entire aquatic food chain.

As the camera followed them to a microscopic viewing of live, wriggling plankton, the students' "oohs" and "aahs" faded to Niah, who was getting a hands on lesson about crab as she held a large, claw brandishing Dungeness for all to see. Her high school buddies, Allysa and Chelsea, expertly related numerous natural history facts about these creeping crustaceans that are a favorite meal for birds and humans alike.

An Eeelgrass Lesson

Wyatt's eyes grew big when a single blade of bright green eelgrass slithered through his fingers and he learned of the myriad life forms that depend on this important estuarine plant. When the tide is up, hundreds of eelgrass blades sway in concert with the waves, evoking an underwater forest. Full of tiny animals darting in and out amongst the blades either looking for food or trying to escape becoming so, the eelgrass forest is threatened in Tillamook Bay by excessive sedimentation as well as burrowing shrimp that undermine its rhizome root system.

When professional oyster shucker, Marco, downed a raw oyster he'd expertly demonstrated cutting from the shell, some students got a thrill, others a queasy stomach! All became well informed on the history of the oyster industry in Tillamook Bay, how oysters grow, and the critical importance of clean water to the variety of animals and plants that call the estuary home.

Two live pelicans stood almost head to head with Addie, Tucker and Arica, a temporary wire fence surrounding these magnificent dinosaur-like birds who serve as avian educators while recuperating from injuries. While their handlers emphasized the grave consequences of marine debris, plastic ocean litter that is becoming alarmingly common - and detrimental to marine life - the pelicans' wild cousins flew in circles just overhead, perhaps curious to see such strange fellowship below.

Members of the E-Live Cast

At each "station" of our living classroom, Rachel helped her younger counterparts place models of the estuarine species they'd just highlighted on a felt board background of the estuarine food web. As the hour progressed, the felt board became a rich mosaic illustration for internet viewers to follow along with what was being introduced.

We also attempted to answer some of the questions that had come via e-mail from classrooms watching on the internet. Those that were not answered live, due to the large volume sent, were responded to in the weeks following the program.

The cameraman's arm grew heavy as he moved down the jetty to each new eager group of students on our carefully planned stage. There was so much still to learn and so much to show... pictures of the catastrophic floods that often plague our lowlands; every-day objects for students to hold that symbolize in a concrete way the many benefits that natural wetlands provide in this high rainfall climate; a comfortable conversation with Mr. and Mrs.Wustenberg, longtime local residents who have devoted their lives to educating about and preserving the estuarine environment.

As the hour wound down, local fish biologist Tracy led more students in identifying several species of fish commonly found in our estuary. One held a tiny sculpin in the palm of her hand, while two boys wrestled a feisty Chinook salmon half their size for only a moment before it splashed back into the cold, brackish water.

One final treat was to hear from both a professional and recreational fisherman about the economic impacts of fishing in the estuary, and their personal dedication to protecting the natural resources that make estuaries so important to fisheries worldwide... a final, hurried thank you and goodbye to everyone who had participated, a couple of answers to e-mail questions, and suddenly we heard...

"Cut!"

Whew! An eruption of giggles, "What's for lunch?", "Great job!" and a flurry of gathering equipment resounded up and down the jetty for the next thirty minutes... and just as dramatically as it seemed to start, the jetty was once again quiet. Shorebirds scurried along the patches of sandy beach down below, a breeze rustled through the few remaining leaves on nearby bushes, all as if there had never been a hundred people there a few brief moments ago.

Human, plant or animal, that special place along the ocean coastline where the river meets the sea provides life to us all. Estuary Live brought everyone involved a little closer to grasping how interdependent we truly are with one another.

To watch the program described above, go to www.estuaries.gov. You can also request a copy by calling TEP at 503-322-2222, or by email.

TEP hosted Estuary Live! on September 23rd, 2005, one of only five sites selected nationally to participate in the real-time internet broadcast. This program was made possible by the hard work of many people and organizations, both on camera and off. The Tillamook Estuaries Partnership would like to thank everyone who played a part in bringing the Tillamook Bay estuary to life for the children of the world.