Programs

Field Training for Graduate and Undergraduate Students.

With five national wildlife refuges in the area and two state parks not far away, the Field Station is the perfect place for training students in a wide variety of academic disciplines.  ECU and other academic institutions use the Field Station for providing practical field experience in subjects such as coastal or wetlands ecology, fisheries, marine biology, and ornithology.  These experiences range from organized class trips for a day or weekend, to semester-long internships with the Wildlife Refuge staff.

ECU curricula directly involving the Field Station are: North Carolina Studies program, the Coastal Studies Minor, the Coastal Resource Management Ph.D. program, and the Biology Department's Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology program.
 

Workshops and Retreats

Mattamuskeet Lodge is used extensively by universities, professional organizations, and environmental educators as a site for workshops, retreats, professional meetings, and focus groups.  The history and unique architecture of the building, combined with the natural secluded setting of the wildlife refuge, is ideal for these activities.

Research Activities

The Field Station has supported research projects since the spring of 1994. Following is a representative listing of researchers and topics:

• Anderson, M. (BS, Biology, ECU). "Age and growth of white perch, Morone americana, in Lake Mattamuskeet, Hyde County, NC." Spring 1998.
• Bauer, Dr. Aaron. Villanova University. "Herptile survey of Hyde County, North Carolina."
• Blake, Marci C. (BS, Biology, ECU) and Stephen E. Johnson (BS, Biology, ECU). "Analysis of nitrogen and phosphorus data from the Lake Mattamuskeet water quality monitoring program." Spring 1994.
• Brinson, M. (BS, Biology, ECU). "Study of fecundity and GSI of white perch, Morone americana, at Lake Mattamuskeet, Hyde County, NC." Fall 1997.
• Bromley, Dr. P. N.C. State University. "Songbird response to ditch-side vegetation and predation."
• Duerr, Adam (MS candidate). University of Arizona. "The incidence of lead poisoning caused by fishing sinker ingestion in certain water birds."
• Froelich, Adrienne (Ph.D. candidate). University of Notre Dame. "Impact of wintering waterfowl on the vegetation and invertebrates of Lake Mattamuskeet."
• Gil, Rahha. (BS, Biology, ECU). "Characterization of the white perch, Morone americanus, population of Lake Mattamuskeet, North Carolina." Spring 1997.
• Griffith, Dr. D. (ICMR, Anthropology, ECU). "Epidemiological study of crab fishermen and the toxic dinoflagellate."
• Heath, Kerry. (BS, Biology, ECU). 'Chemical analysis of heavy metals in sediments of Lake Mattamuskeet, North Carolina." Fall 1995.
• Johnson, Stephen. (MS, Biology, ECU). "Spawning of soniferous fishes in Pamlico Sound, North Carolina."
• Luczkovich, Dr. J.J. (ICMR, Biology, ECU). "Effects of thin-Layer dredge spoil on salt marshes, Wysocking Bay, NC."
• Luczkovich, Dr. J.J. (ICMR, Biology, ECU) and Dr. M. Sprague (Physics, ECU). "Spawning of weakfish in Pamlico Sound, North Carolina."
• Mansfield, W. (NC Folklife Institute). "North Carolina Coastal Folklife Survey."
• Pullinger, Chris. (MS, Biology, ECU). "Sound production in spawning spotted seatrout and red drum held in captivity."
• Riggs, Dr. S. (Geology, ECU). "Roanoke Island sedimentary characterization."
• Rulifson, Dr. R.A. (ICMR, Biology, ECU) and David Knowles (Biology, ECU). "Project TEACH: Teaching Environmental Activities in Coastal Habitats."
• Rulifson, Dr. R.A. (ICMR, Biology, ECU). "Fish passage of anadromous fishes through water control structures of Lake Mattamuskeet."
• Salsgiver, Heather L. (BS, Biology, ECU). "Spawning activity and fecundity of alewife, Alosa pseudoharengus, in Outfall Canal at Lake Mattamuskeet, Hyde County, North Carolina." Fall 1995.
• Taylor, Todd (BS, Biology, ECU). "Development of interpretive canoe trails in the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge." Summer 1994.
• Viverette, D. (BS, Biology, ECU). "Life history characteristics of Atlantic needlefish, Strongylura marina, passing through the Lake Landing water control structure into Lake Mattamuskeet, North Carolina." Spring 1998.
• Wall, Brian. (MS, Biology, ECU). "Use of flap gates and fish slots as fish passage in water control structures of Lake Mattamuskeet."
• Godwin, Charlton. (BS, Biology, ECU). "Aging of Atlantic needlefish, Strongylura marina, collected from Lake Mattamuskeet, North Carolina." Fall 2000.
• Hanhan, Marwan. (BS, Biology, ECU). "Parasite infestation of the American eel, Anguilla rostrata, utilizing Lake Mattamuskeet, North Carolina." Spring 2001.
• Sugg, Amy. (BS, Biology, ECU). 'Scale shape analysis of the Atlantic needlefish, Strongylura marina, inhabiting Lake Mattamuskeet, North Carolina." Spring 2001.
• Boersma, Emily. (BS, Biology, ECU). "Sex ratio and GSI of Alewife, Alosa pseudoharengus, spawning in Lake Mattamuskeet, North Carolina." Fall 2001.
• Jessen, Tim. Biology, (BS, Biology, ECU). "Relationship between otolith shape and body length of the Atlantic needlefish, Strongylura marina, from Lake Mattamuskeet, North Carolina." Fall 2001.
• Egbert, Mary Elizabeth, Biology, (MS, Biology, ECU). "Life history aspects of the Atlantic needlefish, Strongylura marina, in Lake Mattamuskeet, North Carolina." 2001-2002.
• Godwin, Charlton, (MS, Biology, ECU). "Fish and invertebrate passage through retro-fitted flapgates in water control structures at Lake Mattamuskeet, North Carolina." 2001-2002.
• Boersma, Emily (BS, Biology, ECU). "Population demographics of the alewife, Alosa pseudoharengus, and the cause for recent population declines in Lake Mattamuskeet, North Carolina." Fall 2001.
• Cudney, Jennifer (MS, Biology, ECU). "Critical habitat assessment and population demographics of the American eel fishery in Northwestern Pamlico Sound, North Carolina." 2002-2003.
• Gaddy, Erin (MS, Biology, ECU). "Growth and critical habitat assessment for blue crab in Lake Mattamuskeet, North Carolina." 2002-2003.
• Riggs, Dr. S. (Geology, ECU). "Origin and evolution of Pocosins in eastern North Carolina."
• Murphy, Megan (MS, Geology, ECU). "An estuarine shoreline erosion study -- a 25-year update." 2002-2003.
• Riggs, Dr. S. (Geology, ECU). "Origin and Evolution of the North Carolina coastal system: barrier islands and estuaries in climatic change and sea level rise."
• Sessoms, Cory (BS, Biology, ECU). "Length and weight characteristics of American eel utilizing Lake Mattamuskeet habitats." Spring 2002.
• Alderman, Heidi (MS, Biology, ECU). "Feeding ecology of osprey in the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina."
• Teal, Benjamin (MS, Environmental Health and Safety, ECU). "Methylmercury accumulation in largemouth bass residing in Lake Mattamuskeet, North Carolina."

Public Support/Environmental Education

Swan Days
Snow Goose Contra Dance Retreat

For More Information on the Mattamuskeet Field Station Contact

Dr. Roger Rulifson, Director
College of Arts and Sciences
Mamie Jenkins Building
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858-4353
(252)328-1757

RulifsonR@mail.ecu.edu