5 p.m., Sept. 22, 2008----Visitors at UD's 32nd annual Coast Day will notice some important changes to this year's event. The additions, which include a composting area and extra bike racks, are part of an effort to reduce the environmental impact of the annual event.

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“Coast Day has long provided a venue for visitors to learn how they can help keep the ocean and coast healthy,” said Nancy Targett, dean of the College of Marine and Earth Studies and Delaware Sea Grant director. “We are leading by example to show our guests the importance of being environmentally friendly.”

Whether they're checking out the seafood competitions or reading the event program, visitors at the event, to be held 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 5, will be sure to notice the changes. One such change is that plates, cups, napkins and utensils for the Crab Cake Cook-Off and Chowder Challenge seafood cooking events will be converted to compost for use on campus landscaping. A special display will show visitors how to compost the items and demonstrate the benefits of using biodegradable materials.

Other measures taken to reduce the event's environmental impact include the sale of environmentally friendly reusable bags, the addition of extra bike racks that will be available for guests who chose to pedal to the event instead of driving and the printing of the event program and other promotional materials using paper made from trees from forests managed in an environmentally friendly manner.

Also helping put environmental issues in the spotlight is this year's theme, “Coastal Challenges--Coastal Solutions.” Exhibits will highlight some of the work being done by researchers to ensure a greener future; the University's electric car will be on display; and a special exhibit centered on this theme will demonstrate how guests can help solve coastal challenges in their everyday lives.

The event will be held at the Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes and is sponsored by the College of Marine and Earth Studies (CMES) and the Delaware Sea Grant College Program. Admission and parking are free.

For more information about Coast Day, visit [www.deseagrant.org/coastday] or call (302) 831-8083. Additionally, the full lineup is available on the event program, which is posted at the above Web site.

To learn more about the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, visit [www.deseagrant.org]. For more about CMES, visit [www.ocean.udel.edu].