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When Sharon Kahara, Ph.D., as an assistant professor in the Department of Biology and Environmental Science, considered the University-owned property on the Branford Trolley Trail, a site that had been largely underutilized for research, she recognized an opportunity. With a background in wetlands ecology and a focus on climate change's effects on coastal ecosystems, Dr. Kahara saw potential in transforming the site into a hub for environmental monitoring.

"The weather station came to mind because my predecessor, Professor Roman Zajac, had noted the rapid degradation of the salt marsh at the site. It's not just happening thereÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ”it's a trend across southern New England."

Partnering with University Facilities, we completed the required engineering and were able to secure the funding for the installation. Permitting the station was the next challenge. "It took us three years to get everything approved," she said. "We had to go through the town of Branford and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. You can't just plant a weather station anywhereÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ”it's a process." Here again with the assistance from our university partners from both Facilities and Advancement along with the help of the First Selectman of Branford, Mr. James Cosgrove, a University of New Haven alum himself, the necessary permits were obtained.

Now fully operational, the weather station is already making an impact. "This station is collecting data right now," Dr. Kahara emphasized. "I don't have to go out into the field every day, freezing. It's constantly transmitting data remotely, closing the gaps in our knowledge."

The weather station is equipped with standard meteorological instruments. What sets it apart is its ability to integrate water-quality monitoring. "It measures precipitation, temperature, solar radiation, wind speed and direction, humidity, and barometric pressure," Dr. Kahara said. "But the next step is to install water quality probes that will measure salinity, pH, and dissolved oxygen."

The ability to collect these datasets concurrently is a game-changer. "We've never had all of this information collected in real time," she said. "Instead of relying on occasional field visits, we'll be able to monitor how weather and water quality interact on an hourly basis. It's going to be phenomenal."

A major contributor to the project has been marine biology major Christopher Murphy '25. "Chris was instrumental in setting up the station," Dr. Kahara said. "He has a great deal of technical knowledge. He and a member of Facilities, Mike Mazzuco, assembled the station, set up the solar panels, and made sure everything was operational."

The station's solar-powered design ensures continuous data collection. "It doesn't need batteries or an electrical connectionÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ”it charges itself with solar energy," she said. "That makes it completely self-sustaining."

"This is an exciting opportunity to enhance our ability to make better projections about the impacts of climate change and sea level rise."

Beyond academic research, the station plays a role in engaging the Branford community. "One of the agreements in securing the permits was sharing the data with Branford's engineers," Dr. Kahara said. "That helped us gain approval and ensures the town benefits from the project."

During installation, passersby frequently inquired about what was being created. "People hiking, biking, and walking their dogs all stopped to ask about it," she recalled. "Two older women even told me, 'We'll keep an eye on it for you.' It was really sweet."

A public website is in development to make the data accessible to anyone. "I want people to feel a sense of ownership," Dr. Kahara said. "They'll be able to check real-time weather conditions, especially during storms. It's a resource for everyone.

"This station is part of the community," Dr. Kahara continued. "It's part of the University. And it's part of our research."