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Bathers rush for the water during the Shelter Island Turkey Plunge. (Credit: Beverlea Walz)

With a predicted high temperature of 47 degrees, this Saturday doesn’t exactly sound like the ideal day for a dip in Peconic Bay.

But Peconic Estuary Program is hoping people will jump in the chilly waters to show their support for the program during the first “Penguin Plunge” at Cedar Beach in Southold this Saturday at noon. An educational program will follow at Cornell Cooperative Extension’s nearby marine facility located at 3690 Cedar Beach Road.

“The event will spotlight local marine restoration projects by highlighting the work by partner organizations and upcoming programming by the PEP in 2016,” Peconic Estuary Program stated in an email blast.

The event was originally set for last February, but had to be postponed since much of the shoreline had frozen over. It was originally intended to be held in conjugation with a social media campaign, held each year in February, where people can show their support for the National Estuary Program by using #iheartestuaries on their social media accounts. Supporters are still encouraged to use the hashtag.

Peconic Estuary, which stretches from Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton to Block Island Sound, is one of 28 “Estuaries of National Significance” in America. Formed in 1993, PEP is a partnership among local, state, and federal governments, citizen and environmental groups, businesses and industries, and academic institutions tasked with managing projects involving these waters.

The event is open to swimmers ages 6 and up and is free, though advance registration is recommended. To register, email [email protected] or click here.

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