September 2022 — Jellyfish
Believe it or not, Delaware Bay is home to several common species of jellyfish, including Lion’s Mane, Atlantic Sea Nettle, the Moon Jellyfish, and Sea Walnut. As NOAA describes them,
These simple invertebrates are members of the phylum Cnidaria, which includes creatures such as sea anemones, sea whips, and corals. Like all members of the phylum, the body parts of a jellyfish radiate from a central axis. This “radial symmetry” allows jellyfish to detect and respond to food or danger from any direction.
Learn more about jellyfish in this month's episode of SeaTalk, or discover what are jellyfish made of and other facts at NOAA National Ocean Service.
Notable dates in September
Sept. 10 — The Save Our Lakes Alliance3 is hosting a free workshop where experts will speak about environmental threats and how to prepare for them. Danielle Swallow, Delaware Sea Grant Marine Advisory Service coastal hazards specialist, will discuss how to prepare for extreme weather brought about by climate change. Click here to learn more
Sept. 17 — The 35th Annual Delaware Coastal Cleanup offers two options for volunteers: a one-day event on Sept. 17 and a month-long campaign to clean up areas close to home. Visit the official page at DNREC to learn more.
Sept. 22 — The first day of fall, the September Equinox, is when day and night are approximately equivalent because it is one of two days of the year when the Earth’s axis is tilted neither toward or away from the Sun. To learn more facts, figures, and folklore about the September Equinox, check out the Old Farmer’s Almanac.