Event Details

Spend the day exploring Appledore Island with the Cornell Club of Boston on a special tour of Shoals Marine Laboratory—the largest undergraduate marine science field station, founded in 1966 by Cornell faculty member John M. Kingsbury. Guests will be guided by SML staff including Executive Director, Dr. Sara Morris Ph.D. ’96, and gain an inside look at the lab’s immersive approach to marine science, its innovative off‑grid sustainability systems, and the rich natural and cultural history that defines the island. The day includes a visit to Celia Thaxter’s historic garden, an iconic piece of Appledore’s artistic legacy, as well as a stop at the bird banding station to observe ongoing migratory bird research. Guided walks, behind‑the‑scenes insights into academic and research programs, and a delicious lunch overlooking the Gulf of Maine make this an unforgettable experience.

You will also meet Tom Johnson, Cornell class of 1976, Mechanical Engineering and Parent, CALS 2015, CALS 2018, who will join us as a special tour guide on our trip to Shoals Marine Lab where he will share his involvement in the evolution of the sustainable infrastructure on Appledore Island. SML has been on the cutting edge of sustainability engineering for almost 2 decades. The green grid is made possible through a collaboration of sustainability engineering interns, island engineers, and strategic partnerships. Tom, a retired engineer with the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, served as a mentor for SML’s sustainable engineering internship program from 2006 through 2022. Visit SML’s Sustainability Dashboard to see real time energy data being used on Appledore.

Know Before You Go - Island Environment

Appledore Island is a rugged landscape with uneven, slightly steep and rocky paths. Access on/off the island is via a floating dock, a steep ramp, and a set of stairs. Participants must be in good physical condition and should be prepared to spend a majority of the day walking (approximately 2-3 miles). We do not recommend attendance for children under 11.

Cancellation Policy: If there is a wait list for an event with a registration fee, the CCoB will issue a refund to the original registrant once their spot is successfully filled by someone on the wait list. Otherwise, requests for refunds will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If you have any questions, please contact the event organizer.

When

July 26, 2026
8:30 am - 4:30pm

Where

Shoals Marine Laboratory, 315 Market Street Portsmouth, NH

Cost

TBD

Event Questions? Contact Mitsy Lopez Baranello