The Marine Science Legacy Program brings knowledge and understanding of
the Chesapeake Bay ecology, history and future to Middlesex County area
students.

Oyster Festival Education Day is a day of hands-on learning at the Urbanna
Waterfront on the Thursday before the festival. Students learn from experts and
through activities like building seine nets, examining oyster spat and other
creatures with microscopes, using models to demonstrate shoreline erosion, and
hoisting sails on tall ships. Education Day is a cooperative effort that brings together the
expertise of local environmental groups, universities and historical institutions.
The exhibits and visiting ships are open to all festival visitors on Friday and
Saturday.

The Marine Science Legacy Program also provides opportunities for exploration
with on-the water experiences for over 300 students. These field trips may take
place on kayaks in Urbanna Creek, or larger boats on the Rappahannock River.
Field trips to archeological sites that reveal the history and geography of the Bay
are also planned.

The Marine Science Legacy Program is made possible through the support of the
Urbanna Oyster Festival Foundation, the Town of Urbanna, grants,
sponsorships, and the work of many volunteers. It advances an appreciation for
all the gifts that the water brings to our region, including the oysters and
promotes the preservation of the life of the rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.