 By Richard Strittmatter, American Littoral Society Delaware Bayshore Program Technician
In mid-September, the American Littoral Society team gathered at our Sandy Hook headquarters to install a garden that will serve as both an apartment complex and grocery store for birds. The project was funded through a Conservation Grant from the Monmouth County Audubon Society (MCAS). The goal of the garden is to support both migratory and resident bird species by providing them with crucial nesting and foraging habitat, while also serving as an educational tool for visitors and Littoral Society members. The project began with site preparation, using solar fabric to kill off existing grass and weeds, followed by tilling the area to make it easier to plant.
0 Comments
 New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting public comment on new rules designed to protect the state and its residents from climate threats such as sea-level rise, coastal storm surge, flooding, and stormwater management, while also improving water quality, protecting natural resources, and streamlining the permitting processes for resilient investments in New Jersey’s communities and economy.
The NJ Coastal Resilience Collaborative (NJCRC) has two upcoming Coffee Chats that will explore these new rules - officially titled NJ Protecting Against Climate Threats - Resilient Environments and Landscapes (NJ PACT-REAL) - and how they will help prepare us for the future. The first session is set for Wednesday, October 16 at 10 a.m. It will look at Coastal Protection & Natural Enhancements and features Tim Dillingham, the American Littoral Society's Executive Director, along with Tony MacDonald of the Urban Coast Institute and Matt von der Hayden of Stafford Township, NJ. The second session will take place Thursday, October 17 at 10 a.m. and focus on Stormwater & Flood Hazards. Panelists will include Anushi Garg of the Environmental Defense Fund; Caleb Stratton from the City of Hoboken; Christopher Schmitt, of GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.; and Lindsey Massih from NJ Future.  By Richard Strittmatter, American Littoral Society Delaware Bay R-Corps
Construction of a new rain garden is currently underway at the Compass Academy Charter School in Vineland, NJ. The project area used to be a stormwater basin. But now, it will be the largest rain garden the American Littoral Society will oversee to date. Plans for demolition, backfilling, planting, and landscaping were developed in conjunction with the Association of New Jersey Environmental Conditions (ANJEC, a non-profit organization that helps New Jersey environmental commissions, individuals, local and state agencies preserve natural resources and promote healthy communities. After several days of hard work, the site was cleared of wild vegetation and filled with topsoil and mulch. Most of the remaining work will be to fill the rain garden with native plants.  By Stella Mueller, American Littoral Society Education Program Intern Throughout the summer, the American Littoral Society hosted four sunset seining and two daytime seining events on Sandy Hook. We reached over 80 individual participants and caught more than 20 different local species of marine life! Following is a list of our top five favorite finds from this summer and some fun facts about them:  1. Lookdown Fish (Selene vomer)
Although the lookdown seems to resemble a tropical fish, it is native to the entire Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico. They are most commonly found south of Delaware in slightly warmer waters, but it’s not unusual for us to have found a juvenile lookdown on the coast of Sandy Hook during the summer, when warmer waters reach our region. Their prime habitat is within estuaries, where saltwater and freshwater mix, as well as short depths along the shoreline. Juvenile lookdowns tend to have thin, vertical stripes that disappear with age. Lookdown fish get their name based on the fact that their eyes are located on either side of their narrow frame and appear to “look down” as they swim.  By Stella Mueller, Littoral Society Education Program Intern
The American Littoral Society Fish Tagging program recently joined the Reel Into Fishing program in Avalon, NJ for an exciting day of fishing and fluke tagging! The Reel Into Fishing program is a 3-day free educational program teaching students in grades 5-10 about safe fishing tactics and conserving local marine habitats. The program works in partnership with the International Gamefish Association and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean and Burlington Counties. Our tagging program was asked to speak during the first day of the program, where we detailed our organization’s mission and the importance of tagging local species. We also joined their fishing excursion on the final day of the program, where we demonstrated to students how to tag the fish they caught.  By Stella Mueller, American Littoral Society Education Program Intern
Many may not know it, but just off New Jersey's sandy beaches are a host magnificent marine creatures. It's never been easier for you to see them in their natural habitat! Thanks to a partnership between the American Littoral Society and Seastreak, a ferry service that carries people from New Jersey to Manhattan on a daily basis, anyone can now embark on an adventure to witness whales, dolphins, seals and other wildlife in the waters around Sandy Hook, NJ and the New York/New Jersey Bight. The Bight is a triangular region of ocean between New Jersey and New York, stretching from Atlantic City, NJ, to Montauk, NY, with New York City at its center. This area is more than just a scenic coastal expanse — it is a pristine ecosystem and an important habitat for countless marine species. Despite being adjacent to one of the largest ports in the world, the bight serves as a breeding and feeding ground, as well as a common migration path, for various species of birds, fish, dolphins, and, of course, whales. Every year, during the third week of September, we celebrate National Estuaries Week—a time dedicated to raising awareness about the critical role estuaries play in our environment and our lives.
Typically, this week is marked by activities designed to raise awareness about the importance of estuaries, while also calling attention to the threats many face. The American Littoral Society will recognize National Estuaries Week this year with events in New York and New Jersey that include the kick-off for our New York State Beach Cleanup (NYSBC) season and Littorally Local Sunset Cruise. What are Estuaries? So, what are estuaries and why are they important? These unique, vibrant ecosystems are where fresh and salt water mingle or, in other words, where rivers meet the sea. These transitional zones —which include coastal bays, inlets, and tidal rivers — are not only home to beautiful landscapes but also serve as nurseries for marine life, protection for shorelines, and drivers of local economies. Because of their position between land and ocean, estuaries serve as key buffers, absorbing excess water from storms and reducing the impact of coastal erosion. At the same time, they act as natural filters, improving water quality by trapping pollutants and sediments before they reach open waters.  Coastal flooding in Ocean City, NJ. Coastal flooding is a growing problem in New Jersey as climate change impacts the state through sea level rise, more frequent storms, and vulnerable sprawling development.
The NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) recently proposed rules for Protecting Against Climate Threats through Resilient Environments and Landscapes (NJPACT REAL). These rules, which are designed to protect people and places along the coast, lay out a plan to use nature-based solutions that will help protect communities. Unfortunately, they are facing pushback from developers and builders who are prioritizing short-term profits over long-term sustainability. Recently, the American Littoral Society and Watershed Institute held advocacy webinars focused on what NJ's REAL Rules actually say. The Littoral Society’s video also offered guidance on the basics of advocacy and best practices for engaging with government officials, so citizens can effectively participate in upcoming opportunities to comment on the rules. You can watch the webinars at the following links:
 By Samantha Hemming, American Littoral Society Coastal Education Intern
On the last Friday night in July, moth admirers from across the tri-state joined the American Littoral Society in the Sandy Hook maritime forest to celebrate National Moth Week! The evening's activities were led by Senior Ecologist at GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. and moth expert Blaine Rothauser, who offered insight on New Jersey’s rich moth biodiversity and the significance of those winged insects in our ecosystem. To draw in the stars of the show, Rothauser draped a white tarp over his truck and illuminated it with a strong white light on one side and UV light on the other. The light blinds the moths, placing them in a docile state that allows them to be held. Participants of all ages and levels of moth knowledge crowded together with Blaine to learn how to identify and handle the beautiful bugs.  By Stella Mueller, American Littoral Society Education Program Intern
Do you have a child that is fascinated with fishing? Then the Junior Ranger Angler Surf Fishing Program on Sandy Hook could be the perfect way for them to learn the art of casting from a beach. It was for me! Led by the American Littoral Society's Fish Tagging Director Emily McGuckin and rangers from the National Park Service, it offers young people ages 10-16 an opportunity learn from experts about the basics of fishing and why fish tagging is beneficial to conservation, while also getting hands-on experience. This program, which has multiple dates throughout the summer, welcomes anglers with all experience levels and promotes fish tagging to a growing community of local young anglers. |
Archives
October 2024
Categories
All
|
