 Large and enthusiastic crowds came out for the two Raptorama events held recently on the shores of Jamaica Bay. In addition to the many live raptors brought to the event for live demonstrations, the initial festival also featured sightings of wild Eagles, Snowy Egrets and many migrating Hawks.
Raptorama I took place Saturday, October 12 and attracted more than 100 visitors to the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. The 6th annual event featured Hawks and a Great Horned Owl brought by the Wildlife Center of Long Island. In addition, Don Riepe, the Littoral Society's Jamaica Bay Guardian Don Riepe, and naturalist Tod Winston led a ‘Hawk Walk’ around the West Pond that included sightings of several Hawk species, many great and snowy egrets, as well as two majestic adult bald eagles soaring through the sky.  A few weeks ago, a living shoreline project that is already paying dividends got some TLC in the form of additional sand and new coconut fiber logs.
On Wednesday, October 16, a group of dedicated volunteers, including 12 students from Kean University, two hardworking community members, and Danielle McCulloch from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, joined forces with the American Littoral Society to continue restoration efforts at the South Riverside Drive Living Shoreline Project in Neptune, NJ. This crucial project, which began in 2022, is designed to protect the local community from storm surges, reduce flooding, and create vital habitat for wildlife. The event brought together restoration practitioners and volunteers to install 50 new coir logs (made of braided coconut fiber) along the living shoreline. The work involved positioning these logs near the waterline and staking them in place. Volunteers also added approximately 100 cubic yards of sand to the area, which will help stabilize the shoreline and enhance the living shoreline’s ability to absorb wave energy.  Earlier this week, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) made a significant decision regarding the future of horseshoe crabs in the Delaware Bay. In a clear victory for conservation, and thanks to the advocacy efforts of the American Littoral Society and our dedicated partners, the ASMFC voted to exclude female horseshoe crabs from being harvested for bait in 2025.
This decision means that no female horseshoe crabs will be taken from Delaware Bay waters next year, a move that will have a positive impact on the species and the delicate ecosystem they support. "This decision is the direct result of the outcry and opposition from concerned citizens, including Littoral Society members, who voiced their support for protecting female horseshoe crabs," said Tim Dillingham, Executive Director of the Littoral Society. "Thanks to your advocacy, 175,000 female horseshoe crabs will be spared from being killed for bait in 2025."  Photos by Gail Karlsson is an environmental lawyer, nature writer and photographer, who is the author of 'A Birds' Guide to The Battery and New York Harbor' (Amazon). On a crisp October day, a group of butterfly enthusiasts took a walk through the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, under the guidance of the American Littoral Society's Jamaica Bay Guardian Don Riepe.
While it was a lovely fall day with only mild wind, participants only saw a few migrating monarch butterflies. Still, the day brought a series of delightful surprises. The walk began with a closer look at the vibrant pollinator garden, a haven for various insects and a feast for the eyes. A lone Common Buckeye butterfly, defying the cooler temperatures, graced the group with its presence. Back at the Visitor Center, the day took a more interactive turn. Wing Kong, a local environmental artist and educator, captivated participants with her butterfly-themed activities. A special highlight was a showcase of monarch butterflies in various stages, culminating in the release of a newly emerged butterfly near the pollinator garden.  September is the start of International Coastal Cleanup season and one of the busiest months for the American Littoral Society's New York team.
Every year, with the help of volunteers the Littoral Society documents what items are contributing the most to polluting our New York beaches. We dub these top polluters “The Dirty Dozen”. In 2023, the top offenders found at beach cleanup events were predictably: cigarette butts, food wrappers, bottle caps, beverage bottles & cans, straws, and plastic bags. Tallying the types of trash found at beach cleanup events each year helps to inform policy makers and advocacy groups in NY State on where to put their focus. Historically, data compiled from our beach cleanups has helped to identify direct pollution sources from industry (wastewater sewage plastic scrubbers); provide context for statewide plastic bag bans; and support advocacy for legislative bills such as the Bigger Better Bottle Bill (which would expand the state's returnable container deposit scheme to include more beverage containers).  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.  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. |
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