International Day of Women & Girls in Science: Celebrating the Women Protecting Our Coasts

February 11 marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a global recognition of the women whose research, leadership, education, and fieldwork are shaping a more resilient future. At the American Littoral Society, women are advancing coastal science every day—restoring marshes, protecting horseshoe crabs and terrapins, empowering communities, educating the next generation, and leading large-scale conservation initiatives.

Today, we celebrate the women on our staff whose work strengthens the Delaware Bay, Jamaica Bay, Sandy Hook, and coastal communities throughout our region.

Alexandra Kanonik
Jamaica Bay Program Director
Alexandra Kanonik joined the Littoral Society’s Northeast Chapter in 2017 as a Youth Coordinator for the Jamaica Bay Restoration Corps. Today, she leads the program as Jamaica Bay Program Director, combining field science, habitat restoration, and community engagement in one of New York City’s most ecologically significant estuaries.

Alex’s connection to Jamaica Bay runs deep. For many summers, she worked alongside researchers studying nesting Diamondback Terrapins at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge—New York City’s only easily observable population of resident turtles. She has co-authored peer-reviewed research on terrapins and holds a B.A. in Biology from Eckerd College.

Whether she’s knee-deep in marsh mud or coordinating partnerships across Brooklyn and Queens, Alex embodies applied coastal science—rooted in research, powered by community, and grounded in a lifelong passion for turtles and marine conservation.


Julie Schumacher
Habitat Restoration Coordinator
Based out of the Sandy Hook, NJ office, Julie Schumacher brings both scientific rigor and heartfelt commitment to habitat restoration. A graduate of Stockton University with honors in Environmental Science, Julie first joined the Littoral Society as a summer intern before becoming Education and Outreach Coordinator and later transitioning fully into habitat restoration work.

For Julie, the coast is more than a landscape — it’s a safe haven and a source of constant inspiration. From managing restoration efforts like the Wreck Pond Project to engaging the public through field trips and outreach, she connects people to the science behind thriving coastal ecosystems. Her work reflects a powerful intersection of restoration ecology and community engagement.


Kerstin Axe
Restoration Technician
A 2023 graduate of Stockton University with a degree in Marine Science, Kerstin Axe represents the next generation of coastal scientists. After serving as a Watershed Ambassador and working with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection in Coastal Land Use Compliance and Enforcement, she brought her expertise to the Littoral Society as a Restoration Technician.

Kerstin is actively involved in the Delaware Bay horseshoe crab tagging initiative and is eager to expand work in submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) restoration. Her background in regulatory compliance paired with hands-on ecological work underscores the importance of science-informed stewardship in managing coastal resources.


Lucia Osborne
Delaware Bay Program Director
Lucia Osborne leads the Littoral Society’s Delaware Bay Program, where she focuses on reducing stormwater runoff, advancing green infrastructure, and advocating for equitable access to clean water throughout the watershed. Since joining the Society in 2019, she has elevated community-driven conservation along the Cohansey River and throughout the Delaware Bayshore.

Lucia holds a certification in Green Infrastructure from the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional program and serves as chair of the Society’s DEIJ committee, as well as secretary of the South Jersey Bayshore Coalition. Her career reflects a systems-level understanding of watershed science—integrating ecology, environmental justice, and civic leadership.


Michelle Rebilas
Education Program Director
Michelle Rebilas grew up exploring the Delaware Bay shoreline, an experience that sparked her lifelong fascination with coastal ecosystems. Now, as the Society’s Education Program Director, she connects students, teachers, and communities to hands-on environmental learning.

With a B.S. in Marine Science from Stockton University and an M.S. in Environmental Education from Florida Institute of Technology, Michelle brings over a decade of nonprofit education experience to her role. She believes deeply in science literacy as a pathway to stewardship—ensuring that young people see themselves as participants in conservation, not just observers.


Samantha Hemming
Education Coordinator
After serving as a 2024 summer intern, Samantha Hemming returned to the Littoral Society as Education Coordinator at Sandy Hook. With a B.S. in Zoology and a passion for science communication, Samantha develops engaging educational materials and leads immersive programs such as seining, nature walks, and the SeaQuest middle school program.

Her work bridges wildlife research and public engagement, making marine and coastal science accessible to learners of all ages. By translating ecological concepts into hands-on exploration, she helps cultivate the next generation of scientists and environmental advocates.


Danielle McCulloch
Executive Director
As Executive Director, Danielle McCulloch brings nearly two decades of coastal conservation experience to the helm of the American Littoral Society. Her career began at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, where she studied oyster reefs, living shorelines, and fisheries management, earning a Master of Science in Environmental Studies.

Following Hurricane Sandy, Danielle led coastal resilience and habitat enhancement projects with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in New Jersey, earning two Strategic Conservation Awards for her leadership. Today, she advances nature-based solutions, improves policy pathways for ecological restoration, and strengthens collaborative partnerships across sectors.

Her leadership reflects the evolving face of coastal science—where research, resilience planning, and community benefit intersect.


Science in Action, Coast to Coast
From marsh restoration and terrapin research to environmental education and executive leadership, the women of the American Littoral Society demonstrate that science is not confined to laboratories—it lives in estuaries, classrooms, boardrooms, and communities.

On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we celebrate their expertise, dedication, and impact. Their work ensures that horseshoe crabs continue to spawn, marshes continue to buffer storms, watersheds continue to provide clean water, and future generations continue to see themselves reflected in the field of science.

The coast is stronger because of them.