This summer the N.C. Estuarium in Washington is partnering with other organizations and individuals to offer the public an opportunity to participate in several new programs on its summer calendar.

Linda Boyer, who has been with the estuarium for 15 years, said she plans the programs, which cost three dollars each. Boyer plans the programs according to the themes of each room of the estuarium — science, history, people and water conservation and pollution.

“We would like to encourage people to come in and visit the museum and visit the exhibits,” Boyer said. “Our ultimate goal is to have people protect the river and take care of it. We want to make people aware of what a treasure we have here with the Pamlico River and how much the people and animals and habitat contributes to the overall well being of the area.”

Boyer said a few new programs will be showcased, including “Waterfowl and Friends” on August 5 through a partnership with Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park. This program will bring a goose, duck and swan face-to-face with participants and educate them about how waterfowl survive and are different from other birds in the region.

The estuarium will also feature “Estuarine Soundscapes: Vessel Noise and Fish Spawning Sounds” today from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Participants will listen to sounds of the river and sounds, presented by ECU Professor Joe Luczkovich, Boyer said. Luczkovich puts recording devices in the river and records sounds fish are making and he researches the effects of outboard motors on fish and other organisms.

One program Boyer is excited about this summer is the June 10 program, “The Status of the American Bald Eagle in Eastern NC,” she said. Jerry Lotterhos, a retired ECU professor and photographer, will give a presentation on the current presence and numbers of bald eagles in our area along with their history and what we can do to assure their survival. Lotterhos will also show photos of eagles he has taken in the area, Boyer said.

“I’ve seen some of his eagle photographs and that was one of the things that made me really want to ask him to come to the estuarium,” Boyer said. “He’s a wonderful photographer.”

Boyer said there will be several returning programs, including storytelling with Inner Banks Storytellers Group, which will occur each month. The estuarium will also host several art exhibits for the public to view as well as its annual River Roving tours on the Tar-Pamlico River.

“Snakes of the East,” a popular program in years past, is set for July 15, Boyer said. This program will bring well-known Herpetologist Howard Vainright to the estuarium with his collection of nonpoisonous snakes, Boyer said. Vainwright teaches participants the difference between poisonous and nonpoisonous snakes and also allows a session of holding the snakes and getting to understand them through a hands-on experience.

Those wishing to participate in any program are asked to pre-register for scheduling purposes, Boyer said.

To sign up for a program, please call the NC Estuarium at 252-948-0000 or visit 223 East Water St., Washington.