Films, Festivals and Special Events for World Oceans Week

World Oceans Day is so important to the American Littoral Society that we've decided to wrap an entire week of events around it. There is something for everyone with events ranging from festivals to films and dune grass plantings to parties.

The week will begin with Barnegat Bay Festival and conclude with the Littoral Society's Annual Members Day Celebration on Sandy Hook.

Here's a full rundown so you can save the dates:

- The Barnegat Bay festival will be held Sunday, June 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wanamaker Field in Island Heights, NJ. A day of free family fun, the festival offers food, fun and interactive programs which stress the importance of the ecosystem to our Ocean and Monmouth County communities.

Environmental groups, as well as state and local agencies, will provide exhibits and activities that focus on the environmentally responsible ways we all can enjoy and protect the Barnegat Bay and its watershed. The entire family can participate in environmental crafts such as fish printing and sea life origami. Festival-goers can also enjoy decoy carving, touch tanks, seining demonstrations, and other displays exploring life along the Bay, past and present, as well as kayaking through area creeks or traveling cross-bay with Ocean County naturalists aboard the educational pontoon boat.

- On Monday, June 5, staff from Estee Lauder's skin-care brand La Mer will join the Littoral Society for beach grass planting on Sandy Hook. Ty Wood, son of Rolling Stone bass player Ron Wood, will be a special guest at the event.

Wood is on the board of Project 0, a global movement supported by renowned scientists, business leaders, celebrities, campaigners, ocean experts and individuals, who are all working together to restore and protect the ocean. La Mer and Project 0 have partnered on a number of initiatives, including the installation of wave structures around New York. Sculptures from the Wave Walk will be on display through June 21, when those not pre-sold will be auctioned by Southby's to raise money for Project 0's work.

- Also on Monday, from 5-10 p.m., the Littoral Society will once again be participating in the Jersey Shore Partnership Summer Celebration. The Summer Celebration is a highlight of the summer season on Sandy Hook, as it brings hundreds of people to a huge open tent just off Sandy Hook Bay. Restaurateurs and seafood establishments will provide a culinary feast. Brian Kirk and the Jirks will provide the music. And there will be a short program to recognize honorees.

In the midst of it, Society staff will be talking to people about our "Shuck It, Don't Chuck It" shell recycling program and "Operation Oyster," our recently launched effort to eventually turn those recycled shells into homes for oysters in the Navesink River. 

The Summer Celebration is open to the public. Click here for more information or to purchase tickets.

- Last but not least, at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 5, the Society will host an ocean planning film screening and panel discussion in the ShowRoom Cinema, 77 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ. After screening the short films, "Ocean Frontiers III" and "A Vision for Our Ocean," there will be a panel discussion on the federal effort to plan and coordinate use of our oceans.  Panelists will include John Weber, Councilman from Bradley Beach; Capt. Brian Rice, Owner Jersey Devil Sportfishing; and Tim Dillingham, Executive Director of the American Littoral Society.

Click here to register for this free event.

- On World Oceans Day, Thursday, June 8, the Society will co-sponsor a Beach Party for Big Blue. The event will begin at 5 p.m. in and around the Asbury Park Yacht Club, 1000 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ. Buffet-style food will be available for purchase from the Langosta Lounge and Pop's Garage Mexican Cantina. There will also be a special free children's menu.

The event will include family-friendly activities, including a bonfire on the beach and live music beginning at 8:00 p.m. In addition to a silent disco and a kid’s dance competition, younger folks can look forward to sand art and trivia games while adult guests can purchase blue drink specials sponsored by Ocean Vodka Organic Farm and Distillery. Throughout the event, guests can view films focused on Ocean Planning film screenings.

The evening is co-sponsored by the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, Stevens Institute of Technology, Greenfire Productions, Clean Ocean Action and Surfrider Foundation.

Click here for an event page that will have up-to-date information on the event.

- On Friday, June 9, from 6-9 p.m., the Littoral Society will offer an opportunity for people to get up close and personal with creatures that have been residents of the Jersey Shore for more than 400 million years. The free horseshoe crab walk will allow participants to learn more about these ancient animals, which come ashore to spawn in May and June.

Wear foot gear that can get wet. Meet at Parking Lot B in Gateway National Recreations Area's Sandy Hook Unit. For more information call 732-291-0055.

- World Oceans Week will culminate with the Society's annual members gathering on Sandy Hook. Members Day will take place on Saturday, June 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The gathering this year will feature a visit from African penguins courtesy of Jenkinson's Aquarium of Point Pleasant, NJ.

In addition to electing trustees, the event will feature food, fun, excursions, music, seining, nature walks, birding and camaraderie.

Members Day is free for members of the American Littoral Society. Please RSVP for Members Day attendance to Diana by Wednesday, June 8. She can be reached by calling 732-291-0055 x100 or email diana@littoralsociety.org. Members may brings guests at a cost of $25 each.

Click here for more information on Littoral Society Members Day.

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