 Want an unforgettable way to celebrate the new year? Then embrace the crisp winter air and stunning coastal scenery while taking a walk with the American Littoral Society.
For the 49th year in a row, we will be hosting New Year's Day hikes in New York and New Jersey! The New Jersey group will meet on Sandy Hook and the New York group will meet at Fort Tilden on Breezy Point.   The Fall session of SeaQuest is currently in full swing, bringing exciting, hands-on marine education to students at Sisters Academy in Asbury Park, NJ. Led by the American Littoral Society’s Education Specialist, Samantha Hemming, this program helps build meaningful connections between local students and their coastal environment.
Each week, Samantha delivers dynamic lessons in the classroom, introducing students to critical topics such as:
These interactive sessions are designed to build awareness of local and global environmental challenges while fostering a sense of stewardship and belonging. A park in Vineland, NJ has been subject to flooding after rain storms. A culvert connects the park to impervious surfaces outside its boundaries and the park is in a low-lying area. These are only a few of many reasons that make it more susceptible to flooding.
Recently, the American Littoral Society has completed a project designed to address the flooding and help improve the water quality of the park. During the week of November 10th, the Littoral Society, in collaboration with local partners, installed a bioswale at Giampietro Park in Vineland, NJ. The new bioswale aims to address these flooding issues while safeguarding the park’s natural ecosystems, including Memorial Pond and the Cedar Branch stream. Stormwater runoff from flooding events can carry sediments, chemicals, and litter into the pond and creek. The standing water left from these flooding events can limit access to park amenities as well. Native plants within the bioswale help pull water into the ground, reducing the standing water.  By Michelle Rebilas, Littoral Society Director of Education At the American Littoral Society, we have always embraced the philosophy of "hands dirty, feet wet," engaging students of all ages in the stewardship of their coastal environments. With climate change posing increased risks to the coastal communities we serve, hands-on educational experiences are more crucial than ever.
Our flagship programs — Beach Grasses in Classes, SeaQuest, and Stream Savers — integrate climate change concepts with place-based, experiential learning. These programs help students build practical skills, immerse them in nature, and inspire local action. They also inform students on pressing environmental issues in their communities and empower them to become part of the solution. Leading the Way in Climate Change Education In 2020, New Jersey became the first U.S. state to integrate climate change education across all nine K-12 New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS). This bold step ensures students learn not only about the causes and impacts of climate change but also how to take meaningful action.  Residents of Morris Avenue in Bridgeton, NJ, have faced persistent flooding issues during rainy days, with water pooling on the road and even seeping into basements. The water would often sit for up to four days, creating hazards and damaging homes. Seeing a chance to make a difference, the American Littoral Society stepped in with a solution: bioswales.
With funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), the Littoral Society installed bioswales along Morris Avenue from October 15–23. Seven were constructed in front of various homes along the road. Project partners include: Gateway Community Action Partnership, Cumberland County's Road and Engineer divisions, and Rutgers University. Similar to rain gardens, the bioswales were created by digging shallow trenches, adding sandy soil for effective drainage, and layering with mulch and native plants. |
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