How Restoration Corps Helped Shape My Path

Tara Tucci, Restoration Corps crew member

Tara conducting a horseshoe crab egg density survey on Sunray Beach

My name is Tara Tucci, and I am a 2026 Restoration Corps member with the American Littoral Society. I recently graduated from Rowan University in May of 2026 with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance, a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, and a minor in Biological Sciences. Although my academic background is in both the arts and environmental sciences, my experiences throughout college strengthened my interest in conservation and restoration. Joining the Restoration Corps gave me the opportunity to build on that interest through hands-on experience and introduced me to a career path I had not previously considered for myself. When I began this experience, I was uncertain about what I wanted my career after graduation to look like. By the end of my time with the Restoration Corps, I had gained a clearer sense of direction, a deeper appreciation for marine ecosystems, and a renewed confidence in pursuing a future in conservation.

I have always had an overwhelming love for the environment, which is what led me to study Environmental Science in college. During my final year at Rowan, I developed a strong interest in conservation and restoration, but at the time, I wasn’t sure what a career in the field could actually look like. So, I applied to the Restoration Corps partly because I was frantically applying to jobs after graduation, but more importantly, I wanted an opportunity to keep learning.

Double majoring in college gave me so many incredible opportunities, but I often felt like I was missing the hands-on experience that some of my peers were gaining. I wanted to take what I had learned in the classroom and actually apply it in the field. Ironically, during college, I didn’t always enjoy fieldwork. Spending a February day knee-deep in muck in the Pine Barrens after a snowstorm wasn’t exactly my idea of fun. I didn’t like being covered in mud, and I especially hated having wet socks.

Before I knew, without realizing it, I had started to associate my dislike of certain field sites with a dislike of fieldwork itself. Then came my first day with the Restoration Corps.

​We were conducting a survey that involved climbing onto breakwater structures at Bay Point. At one point, I lost my footing and, rather gracefully, fell straight in—completely flooding my waders. Normally, I would have been miserable but instead, I laughed. That moment completely changed my perspective. I realized that I didn’t actually dislike fieldwork, I simply hadn’t found the ecosystem that I was drawn to yet. Being out on the water, working with marine species, and seeing restoration happen firsthand made me realize how much I enjoyed this kind of work. For the first time, I could genuinely picture myself building a career around it. 

tagging horseshoe crabs at Baypoint Beach

Throughout my time with the Restoration Corps, I had the opportunity to participate in a variety of projects that allowed me to explore different sides of restoration and conservation. I worked on habitat restoration projects, including maintaining rain gardens by removing invasive and overgrown species and planting native plants. These native species help improve the rain gardens’ ability to filter stormwater and support the recharge of groundwater. Getting my hands dirty, this time willingly, gave me a better understanding of how relatively small restoration projects can contribute to larger environmental goals. A major part of my experience involved working directly with marine and coastal species. I assisted volunteers with tagging horseshoe crabs, conducted impingement surveys, and helped safely remove horseshoe crabs from rocks. I also participated in quadrat surveys to monitor crab populations. Beyond horseshoe crabs, I assisted with marsh surveys and oyster surveys, helping monitor mussels and oysters growing along restoration structures. These experiences gave me the opportunity to see marine restoration in action and helped me discover just how much I enjoy working with marine ecosystems and wildlife. 

Restoration isn’t just about the work happening in the field. It is also about the people who live in and interact with these ecosystems. Through volunteer events and public education programs, I had the opportunity to work with community members and help inspire people to take action for their local environment. These experiences taught me that conservation depends on more than science. It also requires communication, education, and people who are willing to care about and protect the places around them.

The Restoration Corps also helped me grow professionally. I strengthened my teamwork and leadership skills and became more comfortable taking initiative when situations required it. I learned how to assess field conditions, recognize when an environment may be unsafe, and make decisions based on those observations. Most importantly, I became more confident in my ability to contribute to a professional conservation team. 

Before joining the Restoration Corps, I was genuinely nervous about life after graduation. I worried that I wouldn’t be able to turn the things I was passionate about into a career. I knew I loved the environment, but I wasn’t sure where that passion could take me. As my time with the Restoration Corps comes to an end, I have realized that there are countless career opportunities in restoration and conservation. More importantly, I discovered something about myself: I have a huge passion for marine ecosystems and wildlife. This experience showed me that conservation isn’t just something I can be interested in, but rather it is something I can build a future around. 

The Restoration Corps also strengthened my confidence and helped me recognize that I am capable of pursuing a career in conservation. It showed me the importance of taking initiative, continuing to learn, and being willing to try something new, even when I’m not sure where it will lead. I also leave this experience with a stronger dedication to inspiring action within the communities around me. Protecting our environment requires people to care, and I want to be someone who helps create that connection between people and the ecosystems they depend on. 

​Looking back, I never expected a job that started with me frantically applying for opportunities after graduation, and falling into the water on my first day, to have such a meaningful impact on my future. I’m incredibly grateful for the people, experiences, and lessons that the Restoration Corps has given me, and I’m excited to see where this newfound passion for marine conservation takes me next.