Littoral Team Leads Walk at Cumberland Winter Eagle Fest

​The Littoral Society’s Delaware Bayshore Team hosted an exhibit table and guided a hike during this year’s Cumberland County Winter Eagle Festival, which was held at sites around Bridgeton, NJ on Saturday, February 4.

Despite sub-freezing temperatures, the community came out in droves to chat with local environmental groups, meet live birds of prey, and learn about the local ecology and birding opportunities through expert lectures, guided birding, and hiking.
 
The Littoral team led a Winter Wildlife Walk at Maurice River Bluffs Preserve, winding through pine forests, up and down the hills of an old sand mine, and along the banks of the Maurice River.

Michelle Rebilas, the Society's Education Coordinator, shared with guests some unique features of the NJ Pine Barrens, including sugar sand soil, sponge-like reindeer lichen. and how to distinguish between pine species by counting needles.

Along the river, Habitat Restoration Technician Toni Rose Tablante discussed the Littoral Society’s restoration project at the mouth of the Maurice River while our Conservation Coordinator Zach Nickerson shared how the Littoral Society’s Green Stormwater Infrastructure projects protect the river from polluted stormwater runoff.
 
This year's Eagle Fest was a great opportunity for us to meet people of all ages from across the state, connect with partner organisations, and enjoy a day of engagement with our local community - all in the name of conservation. We can’t wait to do it again next year!