All About Oysters

Here is everything you wanted to know about oysters but were afraid to ask, including instructions on opening them and eating them.

All About Waquoit Bay Estuary

Get a quick overview of the Waquoit Bay estuary, including what an estuary is and what makes this estuary unique.

American Alligator

Meet the American alligator, a resident of the Louisiana estuary, and learn the secrets of this sometimes “scary” creature. Excellent close-up vide...

Apostle Islands Estuaries

Apostle Islands Estuaries

Armand Bayou Close-Up

Meet scientist Eddie Seidensticker as he and two students take an up-close look at the plants of Armand Bayou (Texas). These guys get wet and muddy!

Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

Learn about the Slocum glider. It is shaped like a cruise missile and designed to explore the ocean for months at a time with no human direction.

Bark River Estuary

Bark River Estuary.

Birds of the Barataria-Terrebonne

Catch a glimpse of several species of birds found in the Barataria-Terrebonne estuary in Louisiana. Good science information.

Bivalve Romance

Tour a hatchery where clams, oysters, and scallops are raised. Learn about the steps of the bivalve life cycle. Meet community members who support ...

Black Skimmers

This footage of black skimmers fishing on an estuarine creek in North Carolina shows how the birds "eat" in slow motion and extreme close-up. ( No ...

Building A Salt Marsh

Can a salt marsh be built (or rebuilt)? The answer is “yes.” This video explains how plants are chosen for a “rebuilt” salt marsh near New York City.

Bulkheads Cause Problems for Horseshoe Crabs

Bulkheads, seawalls, and other hardened shoreline structures cause problems for animals like horseshoe crabs that crawl up on the shore to spawn. M...

Carnivorous Plants

Visit a beautiful bog in the Weeks Bay Reserve in Alabama, home to a variety of carnivorous plants. This piece has lots of science information for ...

Catching Crabs

Many species of crabs live in the South Slough estuary. Crabbing is important to the region both for recreation and commercial reasons.

Catching Salmon

Salmon leave the estuary and feed in the open ocean. Catching these fish is an important industry in the Pacific Northwest. Learn about tools and t...

China Camp State Park

China Camp State Park, part of the San Francisco Bay Research Reserve, is an important environmental and historic site. The park has a natural wate...

Collecting Creatures in the Charlotte Harbor

Students collect and display some of the most common creatures found in the Charlotte Harbor estuary (Florida).

Combined Sewer Overflow

This quick overview shows how a combined sewer overflow system works and why heavy rains can be bad for estuaries.

Cool Critters of Peconic Bay

Young students’ show and tell about some of the “coolest” critters in the Peconic estuary.

Cornucopia of Crabs

Learn about the wide variety of crabs found in Oregon waters—estuary, shoreline, nearshore and deeper waters.

Counting Crabs

We get crazy for crabs when students learn how to identify and measure them and tell their sex.

Crab Facts with Dr. Nora

Learn some secrets of the Dungeness crab with Dr. Nora. Look at the life cycle of these creatures and learn facts about their unique blood.

Crabs of the Tillamook Estuary

Students learn about the variety of crabs found in the Tillamook estuary, including the most important commercial species, the Dungeness crab.

Creatures of Brackish Water

In the Barataria-Terrebonne estuary, waters range in saltiness from the ocean all the way to nearly fresh. Meet a scientist who studies the creatur...

Deepwater Horizon

This video shares the story of the Deepwater Horizon spill and the affects it had on the gulf region.

Dolphin Research at JCNERR

We talk with a scientist who specializes in studying the bottlenose dolphin population in the Jacques Cousteau Reserve in New Jersey using very spe...

Drop by Drop to the Sea

Follow rain running off parking lots and roads in central North Carolina on a journey to the estuary hundreds of miles away. Good footage showing r...

Eelgrass Excitement

Here is everything you ever wanted to know about eelgrass but were afraid to ask—types, location, habitat, and much more. This is a longer video cl...

Eelgrass Restoration

Eelgrass is an important estuarine habitat. Eelgrass beds are shrinking in many estuaries, and this video looks at scientific efforts to “reseed” t...

Estuaries and the First Peoples

Learn how the Charlotte Harbor (Florida) estuary was a “supermarket” for the Calusa (sometimes spelled Caloosa) native people.

Estuaries: Defining Our Terms

Students quickly run down the major aspects of what makes an estuary, a watershed, habitat, and a food web.

Estuary Basics (Marsh Plants)

Meet scientist Saundra Upchurch of the Ace Basin Reserve and learn about the marsh plants of South Carolina’s “Lowcountry.”

Estuary Economics

Many people depend on the estuary to earn a living. Meet a Louisiana man who makes his living by harvesting crabs and shrimp, and why he is worried...

Estuary Forests: History In Wood

This video looks at South Slough, Oregon, estuary forests, the history of human inhabitants, and the importance of logging.

Estuary Rap

Student rappers explain the importance of the estuary.

Estuary Research Climate Change

This video focuses on the rates of elevation change and how sea level rise might affect Padilla Bay.

Estuary Restoration

Learn how and why the South Slough estuary has been changed by human use, and how we are now trying to “rebuild” or restore the estuary to its orig...

Estuary Restoration and Monitoring

See how an urban estuary suffering from land loss is restored using a unique high-tech method. Then, using ancient technology, the results of the r...

Estuary Scavenger Hunt

Take five minutes and look for everything around you (plants, animals, mud) in the estuary. Bring it back. What will you observe and conclude about...

Estuary Super Grass

Learn about the “super” grass found in the estuary and catch a rare glimpse of this grass’s amazing root system.

Extreme Weather: Path of Destruction

Learn how the National Weather Service uses technology to forecast extreme weather events and issue warnings to citizens in the path of destruction.

Favorite Estuary Animals

Excited second graders describe their favorite estuary animals and show off some artwork depicting the creatures. In the process, they may give tea...

Fish Creek Estuary

Fish Creek Estuary

Fish, Animals with Backbones

Vertebrates are animals with backbones. Vertebrates thrive in the estuary and are important links in the food chain. This video features good close...

Flag and Cranberry Estuaries

Flag and Cranberry Estuaries.

Following the Rail

Learn how scientists track the sora rail, a unique bird that depends on the estuary to fuel up for lengthy migrations up and down the Atlantic Coast.

Food Web

This video has two students demonstrating a simple food web of the Hudson River.

Freshwater Turtles in the Estuary

Children learn about freshwater turtles found in the estuary. The kids learn to tell the differences between male and female turtles and look at th...

Galveston Bay Overview

A quick overview of what makes the Galveston Bay a special place, with Helen Drummond, director of the Galveston Bay Estuary Program.

Getting Involved

We heard the “Tale of Two Estuaries”; now we can learn how to get involved to protect these important but fragile resources.

Hazardous Habitat

Estuaries are important habitats for salmon, but development, deforestation, and human interaction have caused damage to these ecosystems. Learn ho...

Hermit Crab Research

A young researcher studies how hermit crabs live and reproduce in the estuary. She also discusses the value of the National Estuarine Research Rese...

Horseshoe Crabs

Here is a close-up look at an ancient estuary animal.

Hurricane Hazards

EstuaryLIVE meteorologists explain how a hurricane forms, how it moves, and how they measure potential damage from these dangerous storms.

Intertidal Habitat

Join a scientist and several young students as they explore an intertidal pool using a seine net and fish traps.

Interview with the Manatee

Here’s your chance to interview the manatee, a marine mammal that finds safety and sustenance in the estuary.

Invertebrates of the Tillamook Estuary

Students learn about invertebrates found in the Tillamook estuary and their place in the food web.

Kachemak Bay Tides

This video provides a time-lapse view of the tide rising in areas of Kachemak Bay, Alaska.

Kakaagon-Bad River Estuary

Kakaagon-Bad River Estuary.

Lake Erie Legacy Our Changing Climate

This video focuses on climate change and how it affects the evaporation of water from both land and the great lakes.

Larger Animals of the Estuary

In exploring the San Francisco Bay Research Reserve, you may see no large animals, but they are there! Join naturalists who study the large animals...

Lessons of Lightning

EstuaryLIVE meteorologists explain how lightning forms and how to avoid danger when thunderstorms erupt.

Let's Learn About Estuary Plants

Many highly specialized plants are found in the estuary. In this video, an estuary scientist presents some unusual plants (what kids call "seaweeds...

Lionfish: Estuary Invaders?

Invasive species can disrupt an environment. Lionfish, native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans, are showing up off the East Coast of the United Sta...

Lost Creek Estuary

Lost Creek Estuary.

Louisiana Levees

Listen to an interview with Windell Curole, levee manager of South Lafourche Parish Levee District, one year before Hurricane Katrina.

Mangrove Maniacs

Become a mangrove expert. Learn how to identify the three species of mangroves found in Florida and why these plants are important in the estuary.

Mangrove Q&A

Scientists answer student questions about mangroves and why these plants are a keystone species in Florida’s estuaries.

Marsh Migration

Dr. Alex Kolker shows high school students how a salt marsh can actually migrate across the landscape. Dr. Kolker uses fresh core samples taken by ...

Menhaden Facts

Learn about the lowly menhaden, including the history of this fish and the many uses that made it a powerful economic factor for many years.

More About The Marsh

This quick overview describes the salt marsh and why this environment is important.

Nemadji River Estuary

Nemadji River Estuary.

Net Tow

Learn how plankton samples are collected at permanent observation stations and from ships.

New Jersey Clamming

Learn all about clams (and how they are harvested) from an experienced New Jersey clammer.

New Jersey Terrapin Close-up

A teacher and students present their work with estuary terrapins. This is filled with lots of facts and good close-up shots of the terrapin stars.

Night in the Estuary

Come along on a night field trip exploring the Rachel Carson Reserve in Beaufort, North Carolina. Professor Dan Rittschof of Duke University is an ...

Oyster Boy & the Scientific Method (Introduction)

Meet Oyster Boy from the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in the state of Washington and learn about the scientific method of proble...

Oyster Boy Episode 03 (Hypothesis/Prediction)

This is episode three of five about Oyster Boy and the scientific method, featuring hypothesis and prediction.

Oyster Boy Episode 04 (Experiment/Results)

This is episode four of five about Oyster Boy and the scientific method, featuring experiment and results.

Oyster Boy Episode 05 (Wrap Up)

This is episode five of five about Oyster Boy and the scientific method, featuring a wrap up of what can be learned using the scientific method.

Oyster Boy Episode Two (Observation/Question)

This is episode two of five about Oyster Boy and the scientific method, featuring observation and questioning.

Oyster Research

Learn research techniques used to study the oyster population in the estuary.

Oysters of the Charlotte Harbor Estuary

Meet an oyster expert and learn about this important bivalve, including the history and economic value of the oyster in the Charlotte Harbor estuary.

Phytoplankton

Young students learn about plankton (in particular phytoplankton) and why it is vital to life on this planet. Good for elementary and middle-school...

Plankton Bloom

Scientists out on a boat to recover sediment traps find themselves surrounded by, what they come to discover as, a dinoflagellate bloom.

Plankton Parade

Students learn about zooplankton and phytoplankton, the importance of plankton as the basis of the food web, and tools used to collect and study pl...

Plants (Circle of Life)

This segment from the film Waters of Life looks at the role of plants in the estuary and the cycle of life that depends on them.

Quest for Clams

We enjoy a traditional Wampanoag (native people) clambake and learn about the clam, a tasty bivalve to some and a way to make a living to others. L...

Rasberry River

Rasberry River

Read The Beach (Sand Science)

Geologist Dr. Jeff Warren shows how the beach is built and performs a “fizzy” experiment with beach sand.

Read The Beach (Sand Signs)

Meet a scientist who tells us lots about the beach just by looking at the sand.

Red Drum Data

Scientists collect data on the much-prized red drum using standard data collection techniques.

Research SCUBA Diving

Learn about scuba diving, the equipment required and what each piece does, and how diving is used to study estuaries.

Research Vessel Tour

Tour of the RV Palmetto.

Researching the CLAM

Here is everything you wanted to know about clams and related bivalves of Waquoit Bay (Massachusetts).

Restoring the Estuary

Invasive plants and animals can damage the estuary. Students learn about invasive plants and get hands-on experience getting rid of them. They also...

SCORE for Oysters

Score one for oysters. Meet two oyster experts and learn how oyster shells can be recycled to make new habitat for young oysters.

Saint Louis River Estuary

Saint Louis River Estuary.

Salinity Stratification Experiment

Learn a little about salinity differences in the estuary and watch a really cool but simple experiment to demonstrate salinity stratification. You ...

Salmon Habitat

Estuaries are important habitats for salmon during parts of their life cycle. Find out more on this topic and see two salmon at opposite ends of th...

Salmon Underwater

Watch these unique views of salmon in the estuary courtesy of acclaimed Oregon photographer Jose Curtis (no narration, just natural sound).

Sampling Seagrass

Learn about the various types of estuary grasses and the animals that are sheltered in this habitat, and look at the methods scientists use to stud...

Sand River Estuary

Sand River Estuary

Saving Lives

“Life on the Edge: Saving Lives” looks at the work of the Coast Guard as they patrol the waters around South Slough estuary.

Saving the Tijuana Estuary

The estuary stands as the last barrier between the Pacific Ocean and pollution. Its mix of plants and silt acts as a filter that purifies inland ra...

Sea Grass PSA

Public service announcement on sea grass protection.

Shellfish Nurseries

Shellfish are not only important to the health of the estuary but are also a valuable food source and "cash crop." Scientists from the Nature Conse...

Sioux and Onion River Estuaries

Sioux and Onion River Estuaries

So What is an Estuary, So Now You Know

Produced by the Association of National Estuary Programs as a fun explanation of what estuaries are and why they are important.

Stormwater PSA

Public Service Announcement on stormwater pollution featuring rubber duckies.

Students Can Help

Students from schools in the Peconic estuary region talk about how young people everywhere can help and protect the environment.

Studying the Sora Rail

Have you heard the expression “skinny as a rail?” Learn where it originated and much more about this unusual bird, the sora rail.

Tale of Two Estuaries

This video looks at two very different estuaries in Oregon: South Slough and Tillamook. Look for other videos in this series.

Tale of Two Estuaries: Native People

Estuaries have been home to native people for centuries. Meet members of Oregon’s Coquille Tribe who used the estuary’s riches to flourish for hund...

Texas Alligators Q&A

Students ask questions about the American alligator (native to Texas) and an Armand Bayou Nature Center scientist answers them.

The NERRS System-wide Monitoring Program

Learn about the System Wide Monitoring Program (SWMP) and see how high-tech underwater equipment helps keep track of conditions in the estuary ever...

Three Unusual Estuary Birds

We know many birds make their homes in the estuary. Some are familiar to us, but the three species featured here are more elusive. We get a close-u...

Tillamook Birds

Learn about birds that make the estuary their home and why the estuary is an important stopover for others. Meet two pelicans saved by rescuers.

Tillamook Eelgrass

Eelgrass is one of the most important plant species in the estuary. Tillamook estuary has both native and introduced species of eelgrass. Students ...

Tillamook Estuary Overview

This video gives an overview of the amazing Tillamook Estuary in Oregon. Exciting photography highlights this three-minute look at this national tr...

Tillamook Fishes

Student seine the Tillamook estuary and bring back a variety of native species to study.

To Be A Meteorologist

Watch this interview of a high school senior who wants to become a meteorologist. She is working with her local National Weather Service office to ...

Tornado Touchdown

EstuaryLIVE meteorologists explain how a tornado forms, how it moves, and how they measure potential damage from these dangerous storms.

Tornado: View from the Past

Weather forecasting has advanced since this film was made (in about 1956). Compare forecasting methods shown in this film with modern techniques. W...

Totally Terrapins

Here is everything you always wanted to know about the estuary’s diamondback terrapin and how it is being protected.

Totally Turtles

Meet scientists and students at the Jug Bay Reserve in Maryland as they study and track the common box turtle (and find out why they do it).

Tracking Striped Bass

Estuary scientists use sophisticated electronic equipment to study and track the striped bass, a resident of the estuary and open ocean.

Tracking Turtles

Learn how scientists track their research subjects using radio transmitter technology.

Turtle Hospital

All species of sea turtles are threatened or endangered. Meet a scientist who works with sick or injured sea turtles and find out what happens in a...

Turtle Tales

Meet a middle-school student who works to protect turtles found in the estuary.

Turtle Trails

All species of sea turtles are threatened or endangered. Learn how scientists are studying these animals using high tech equipment.

Urban Estuaries: Counting Critters

Students use a seine net to count marine life in the New York-New Jersey estuary. Scientists explain why some animals thrive and others decline, wh...

Urban Estuaries: Home to Native Peoples

Cities often spring up around estuaries. Often “progress” displaces native peoples who have lived in harmony with the estuary for generations.

Urban Estuaries: Human Changes

Often humans living in close contact with an estuary want to “fix” it. We learn about the changes humans made to the Duwamish estuary in Seattle an...

Urban Estuaries: Living in a Toxic Soup

Urban areas often grow up around estuaries. Industrial development often leaves a legacy of pollution in these areas. This video looks at what kind...

Urban Estuaries: Restoration

Students and citizen groups seek to restore and reclaim damaged, changed, or polluted estuaries

Urban Estuaries: Salmon on the Decline

This one-minute summary explains why Pacific salmon are declining. Remember the four H’s.

Urban Estuaries: Toxic Legacy

Pollution in urban estuaries is a serious problem. Cleaning up this toxic legacy is a long-term and expensive proposition.

Urban Estuaries: Water Quality Testing

Students measure water quality in the New York-New Jersey estuary using simple tools your students can use. Scientists explain the importance of go...

Waquoit Eelgrass

Eelgrass is one of the most important plants in the estuary. The health of this plant is often a measure of the health of the environment. This vid...

Water Quality Specifics: Measuring Nitrogen

Students can use classroom tools to measure estuarine water quality. Here, students sample estuarine water for nitrogen using the colorimeter.

Water Quality Specifics: Using a Colorimeter

Students can use classroom tools to measure estuarine water quality. Here, students measure the salinity of estuarine water using a low-end colorim...

Water Quality Specifics: Using a Hydrometer

Students can use classroom tools to measure estuarine water quality. Here, students measure the salinity of ocean, estuarine, and tap water samples...

Water Quality in South Slough Reserve

Learn how to measure and test for water quality with simple tools. We discuss the need for constant measurement and testing and learn about the sta...

Water Song Sing Along

The “Water Song” ranks alongside “It’s a Small World” as a tune you can’t get out of your head. Second graders from Shelter Island (NY) School sing...

Watershed Demo

Here is a quick discussion of watersheds with a great demo using a very good watershed model (Enviroscape), plus a couple of “what can students do”...

Watersheds of Galveston Bay

Meet the “Dirt Doctor” and learn about the watersheds of the Galveston Bay. Good science information with some photographs shown by students.

Weather Balloons

Learn about weather research and forecasting using weather balloons and the data these "spacecraft" send back.

Weather Forecasting Technology

Learn about advances in weather forecasting technology and how the National Weather Service (part of NOAA) operates.

Weather Radio: Emergency Warning System

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the NOAA Weather Radio system—how it works and how warnings and updates are transmitted.

Wetlands: A Cautionary Tale

High School students perform a short skit describing the fragile nature of estuaries, while others demonstrate the value of wetlands using a water ...

What Lives in the Bay?

Take a quick, simple look at some of the typical animals found in Waquoit Bay (Massachusetts). Good for K-6 students.

Whittlesey Creek Estuary

Whittlesey Creek Estuary

Wisconsin's Freshwater Estuaries

Wisconsin’s freshwater estuaries along Lake Superior.