Introducing Toni Rose Explores the Delaware Bayshore!

By Toni Rose Tablante, American Littoral Society Habitat Restoration Technician              

Hello everyone! It’s Toni Rose and I am the American Littoral Society’s new Habitat Restoration Technician for the Delaware Bayshore. I thought it might be fun to share my adventures with you as I explore the Bayshore and learn more about the area, so here it goes.

To start off with a little bit about me – even at a young age, growing up in North Jersey, I always knew I wanted to pursue a profession that would get me closer to the coast and experience more of New Jersey’s environment and wildlife. So, I went to Rutgers and got a degree in Marine Science.

Shortly after graduating, I started working for New Logic Marine Science Camp and later as a fisheries technician for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection while interning for the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, NJ.
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These awesome experiences have led me to my new adventure: joining the American Littoral Society to rebuild habitats for horseshoe crabs and shorebirds and help educate the community. I plan to make this a recurring segment on our blog, so follow me as I start this new position and write about what I’m up to!

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My first week consisted of a lot of touring. On day one, I drove up to Sandy Hook where our headquarters is located, and Capt. Al Modjeski showed me around. We visited perfect birding areas and the bayside building remains of the old army fort. 

Helping the spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) to the other side of the road.

The rest of my week was spent around my home office in Millville, NJ, where I tagged along with Shane Godshsall  and Quinn Whitesall. We drove to different Littoral Society restoration sites, as I familiarized myself with the area.

​We stopped by Thompsons Marsh, near the East Point lighthouse, where we picked through ribbed mussels and discussed restoration plans. I saved two spotted turtles along the way!

​The next day, we hit Money Island to check out the new state-led habitat project (which looks great!), then over to Fortescue to see the start of a new project out there. Here, I saved our first horseshoe crab ​of the season! 

Turning over a male horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus)

In between tours, we dropped off our skiff at Barnacle Bill’s for routine maintenance, then continued to a few other spots in Cumberland County.

All in all, my first week was busy and exciting. Visiting our restoration sites gave me a good visual as to where I’ll be spending most of my time. I am still getting my sea legs, but it felt like a good start to great things.

See you on the beach!  #ToniRoseExplorestheBayshore