Underwater in Salem Sound Lecture

Register to attend in-person or on Zoom at abbotlibrary.org

Horseshoe crabs evolved almost 450 million years ago and are considered the “living fossils” of our time, surviving ice ages, asteroids, and five mass extinctions. Today, they continue to serve an important role, both ecologically and economically, as their eggs provide sustenance for endangered shorebirds and their blue blood is used to advance biomedical research. Though they’ve endured these catastrophic events throughout Earth’s history, their population is in decline. Alison will discuss the importance of this elusive, prehistoric creature and how we can help it survive the next mass extinction.

Alison Frye is the Associate Director at Salem Sound Coastwatch, where her primary focus is on coastal resilience and habitat restoration projects. She earned a BS in Biology from Bates College and a MS in marine biology from Northeastern University. There, her research focused on nature-based solutions for climate adaptation, specifically utilizing living shorelines to mitigate erosion in the Great Marsh. Before coming to SSCW, Alison was a long-time science teacher and continues to teach a marine and climate science course to high school seniors at Waring School in Beverly.

Have a beer! We are also hosting a Watch Party at East Regiment Beer Company located at 30 Church St. #B1, Salem. Watch and drink in comfort with friends and neighbors as Alison presents all she knows about the mighty and resilient horseshoe crab! 

Sponsored by Salem Sound Coastwatch & Marblehead Abbot Public Library. All the lectures are free and open to the public.