At the Long Island Maritime Museum on Great South Bay in September 2011, about 100 people were welcomed by NYSG Director Dr. Jim Ammerman."This is our 40th anniversary and while we are looking back, we are really looking forward to the next 40 years. But we are here with you, our stakeholders and supporters, to celebrate the first 40 today."

On hand were partners, advisers, business owners, researchers, graduate students, educators and Sea Grant staff. All enjoyed the sunshine, refreshments and music after two tropical storms had torn through much of New York just days before, reminding us of the coast’s vulnerability.

In this segment from the "LI Maritime Museum Reception" video series, Ammerman, as well as NYSG's Assistant and Associate Directors, Cornelia Schlenk and Dr. Kathy Bunting-Howarth, respectively, reflect on the program's first 40 years of "Bringing Science to the Shore." Other featured speakers include NYS Assemblymen Robert Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst, Chairman of the State Assembly’s Environmental Conservation Committee) and Fred Thiele, Jr. (I-Sag Harbor).