October Littoral News October 1, 2021 
Thanks to Everyone Who Made Littorally Local a Success Thank you to everyone who bid, donated, sponsored, and set sail with us at Littorally Local on September 18! It was a lovely evening with fantastic late summer weather and a gorgeous sunset.
Photos have been uploaded to Facebook, click here to take a look!
Please join us in thanking our sponsors – Heather and Danon Robinson, Kristen and John Hall, George Heflich, OceanFirst Foundation, Susan and Ty Olson, Dr. Andrew and Nancy Soiefer, Art for Sea, “Aw, Shucks!” Oyster Shell Recycling Project, Cumberland Mutual, Diana Landreth, German, Vreeland, and Associates, LLP, Little Silver Bottle Shop, Mazza Recycling, Robbyn O’Neill, PSEG, Ross Brewing, Cathy Steele, and Tito’s Vodka.
The event was made a stunning success with the help of the Host Committee led by Anne Marie Coon and Heather Robinson.
We are just $3,027.75 (9%) from meeting our fundraising goal, and we are still accepting donations! If you’d like to help meet that goal, you can do so by clicking here before October 9.
If you weren’t able to make it this year, we hope you’ll save the date to join us for the Fourth Littorally Local on Friday, September 16, 2022!
September Festivals Highlight Littoral Society Oyster Work The last weekend of September was all about oysters at the American Littoral Society.
Society staff attended festivals in Asbury Park and Red Bank at which we recycled shucked oyster shells by the bucket full.
On Friday and Saturday, Sept. 24 and 25, we were at AsburyFest talking about the Society's Operation Oyster work, including our "Shuck It, Don't Chuck It" oyster shell recycling program, as well as how those shells are being used to help restore bays, estuaries and beaches in New Jersey.
On Sunday, Sept. 26, we pitched our tent at the Red Bank Guinness & Oyster Fest for a crazy day of talking about our work in the Two Rivers area, while collecting the shells from about 8,000 oysters consumed by festival attendees.
Shells collected from those events pushed our total shell collected this year from participating restaurants to nearly five tons. The recycled shell is trucked to our curing site on Sandy Hook, where they spend about a year in the sun before being used for living shoreline and reef projects around NJ.
Click here to check out pictures from the event and learn more about our shell recycling program, Operation Oyster, and reef building projects. 
COMING UP 
Fort Tilden Hawk Walk Sunday, October 10 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Fort Tilden 1 Murray Road Breezy Point, NY Free, Click to Register
Meet at the little church in Fort Tilden. We will hike along the beach, dunes, and woodland trails to look for eagles, hawks, falcons, osprey, other raptors, as well as monarch butterflies migrating south along the coast. We will also visit the hawk watch platform on top of Battery Harris East.
The walk will be led by the Littoral Society's Don Riepe. Bring binoculars. Youngsters welcome. You must be vaccinated and wear a mask.
For more info and directions call 718-474-0896 or e-mail don@littoralsociety.org This is a partnership program with NYC Audubon. 
Jamaica Bay Raptorama Festival Sunday, October 17 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge 175-10 Cross Bay Blvd Queens, NY Free, Click to Register
Join the Littoral Society for a special program including LIVE raptors.
Participants will visit the refuge pond areas as well as Fort Tilden's 195th Street beach to look for migrating Sharpshinned and Cooper's Hawks, Peregrine Falcons, Northern Harriers, Kestrels, Merlins, and maybe a Bald Eagle or two. Lots of passerines should be migrating along the coastal barrier island as well.
For more information contact Littoral Soceity Northeast Chapter Director Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 or don@littoralsociety.org.
Sandy Hook Spooky Walks Thursday, Oct 21 and Oct 28 7 - 9 p.m. Meet at Littoral Society HQ 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands, NJ $10 for members $20 for non-members Click here to Register for Oct 28
Get into the Halloween Spirit on this moonlight walk around Historic Fort Hancock where ghosts have been known to linger.
Cider and fall snacks will be provided. Dress for the weather and be prepared to walk a couple of miles. Fun for the whole family, ages 10 and up.
The October 21 walk will be offered initially only to Littoral Society members, while the October 28 walk will be open to the general public. Littoral Society members will be emailed a link to register for the member's only walk. Click here to become a Littoral Society member.
Contact Nicole.haines@littoralsociety.org with any questions. 
Creepy Coast Walk Friday, October 22 7 - 9 p.m. Thompsons Beach (Map) Meet at Thompsons Beach Observation Platform parking lot Off Thompson's Beach Rd Heislerville, NJ Free, Registration Required
Join the staff of the American Littoral Society's Delaware Bayshore office for a nighttime walk through the marsh and out to Thompsons Beach, guided only by the light of the full moon.
We will listen for critters rustling in the Spartina marsh grass and keep our eyes peeled for roosting birds. Down at the beach, we’ll explore the wonders of Thompsons at night, enjoy some light refreshments, and hear stories about the community that was washed away in a storm, as well as the work the Littoral Society is doing to protect this ecosystem.
Families, children, and people of all ages who love exploring nature after dark are welcome. Dress for the weather and to walk about 2 miles.
If there is a chance of heavy rain, the walk will take place Saturday, October 23.
Earth Care Day at Cheesequake State Park Sunday, October 3 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Cheesequake State Park 300 Gordon Road Matawan, NJ Free
Bring the whole family to Cheesequake State Park for an afternoon at Earth Care Day! This free outdoor festival has games, crafts, scavenger hunts with prizes, and so many more activities to engage with nature.
There will be a Bird Walk and Talk, Forest Exploration, Build a Rain Barrel demo, and Home Beekeeping Focused Talk.
Families can also take part in a volunteer activities, such as a tree planting. Advance registration is required for volunteer projects due to limited space.
Click here for more information about Earth Care Day and how to register for volunteer events. 
EarthShare New Jersey Rocks! Thursday, October 14 Doors Open 6:30 - 11 p.m. The Stone Pony 913 Ocean Avenue Asbury Park, NJ
Are you ready to ROCK? Head to the Jersey Shore for a night out at the legendary Stone Pony in Asbury Park. Tom Kaminski is the MC for the evening while you enjoy great music from NO XQUSE, Revolver, Jump Back, and Echo Charlie!
All proceeds from the 4th annual concert for the environment go to support the programs and services of nonprofits like the American Littoral Society! So enjoy the music by local bands, silent auction, and more while benefiting a great cause.
The first 100 people to enter receive a free event t-shirt! More will be available for purchase. All ages welcome; must be 21+ to purchase alcohol.
2nd Annual Witches and Warlocks Paddle Saturday, October 23, 3 - 5 p.m. Rain Date: Saturday, October 30 Launch from location of choice; meet on the river at Fair Haven town dock GPS: 21 Fair Haven Road Fair Haven, NJ
Grab a pointy hat, cape, and broom...ahem... paddle of choice for a magical time on the Navesink River. Come out for fun and to make a voluntary charitable donation to the American Littoral Society - the designated charity for this year's event.
Costumes are not required, but are highly encouraged.
To donate, please visit https://www.littoralsociety.org/donate.html and mention "Witches Paddle" in the donation comments. 
Save the Date: Rain Barrel Workshop Monday, November 4 7 - 9 p.m. Cumberland County Library 800 E Commerce Street Bridgeton, NJ Free
Join the American Littoral Society to learn how to build a rain barrel for your home.
Rain barrels attach to your roof gutter and collect rain water to use in your garden and yard.
All participants will get to make a rain barrel to take home. Please indicate if you are attending with someone from the same household.
For more information email Lucia Ruggiero, Littoral Society Conservation Coordinator, at lucia@littoralsociety.org.
2021 New York State Beach Cleanup is Underway A total of 39 volunteers - 27 adults and 12 children - came out on Wednesday, Sept. 15 for a New York State Beach Cleanup at Jones Beach. It was just one of many beach cleanups conducted as part of this year's program.
Participants removed 22 pounds of trash. What's more, the beach was packed and those involved in the cleanup took the opportunity spread the good word about the program.
The official 2021 International Coastal Cleanup season extends from August 1 through December 31 and anyone can take part. Join a group or start one of your own and document marine debris impacting the shorelines of New York State.
Go to the New York State Coastal Cleanup website for a list of beach cleanups scheduled in September and October. For more information, contact NYSBC@littoralsociety.org.
SAVE THE DATE 
6th Annual Lobster Run Saturday, November 6 Start and finish: The Langosta Lounge 1000 Ocean Avenue and Second Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ
We hope you've been training because the date for the 6th Annual Lobster Run 5k to Care for the Coast is fast approaching. Once again the event will take place on the fabulous Asbury Park, NJ boardwalk, with an after-party hosted by Langosta Lounge.
Learn more and register at www.raceforum.com/lobster.
Chincoteague/Assateague Weekend Thursday thru Sunday November 4 - 7 Chincoteague, VA $595 (per person) $150 added for single occupancy * All participants must be vaccinated
Join the American Littoral Society for a fall weekend along the Delmarva coast. Birdwatchers are likely to see snow geese, widgeons, teals, ruddy ducks, loons, shovelers, eagles, late shorebirds, and maybe a surprise or two.
Mammals you might encounter include Sika deer, the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel, wild ponies, red fox and otters.
Cost includes three nights lodging at The Refuge Inn (double occupancy), 3-hour boat tour of island, 2-hour Safari bus tour of backwater marshes, welcome seafood dinner at a local restaurant, evening program and star watch, plus guided hikes at Chincoteague Refuge and Assateague National Seashore.
The Inn has an indoor heated pool, jacuzzi, sauna, exercise room, conference room and sun/star observation deck. Breakfasts at Inn included in price.
What to bring: Warm clothes (hat, gloves), shorts/etc. for warm weather (it can be in 60’s), raincoat, binoculars, bathing suit, flashlight. Let me know if you need a ride or want riders. Van rental if needed, add $150 per person shared cost.
For more info and reservations call 718-474-0896 or e-mail: don@littoralsociety.org.
Fall Surf Fishing Clinic Saturday, November 13 8 a.m. - Noon Meet at Littoral Society HQ First House on Officers Row in the Fort Hancock Section of Gateway National Recreation Area's Sandy Hook Unit GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands, NJ $30 for members $75 for nonmembers
Interested in learning the basics of surf fishing, including casting, knot tying, lure/bait selection and reading a beach? Join Emily McGuckin, Fish Tagging Director for the American Littoral Society, on a day of surf fishing and instruction on the beach.
All skill levels are welcome. Rods, reels and tackle will be provided, but bring your own if you have it. Children under 18 are welcome with a supervising adult.
Coffee and doughnuts will be provided but please bring your lunch.
Contact emily.mcguckin@littoralsociety.org for more information.
Zero Waste Workshop Wednesday, November 10 6 - 7:30 p.m. Meet at Littoral Society HQ First House on Officers Row in the Fort Hancock Section of Gateway National Recreation Area's Sandy Hook Unit GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands, NJ
Join American Littoral Society Education Director Nicole Haines for a workshop that will cover ways to lessen your waste and live a more sustainable lifestyle.
In this workshop we will go over:
There will also be door prizes.
If you have any problems with registration or want more information about this event, please email Nicole.Haines@littoralsociety.org.
Save the Date for Littorally Local 2022 We know a year is a long time to look ahead, but the Littoral Society is excited to announce that the date for next year’s Littorally Local celebration has been set for Saturday, September 17, 2022.
We hope to see you this year’s cruise, but also hope you save the date to join us next year!
NORTHEAST CHAPTER NEWS In case you missed it: Jamaica Bay Pollinator Walk Tune in for a pollinator walk led by Don Riepe, Director of the Littoral Society Northeast Chapter. On Sept. 19, as part of the Jamaica Bay Pollinator Festival, Don took participants on a hike around the ponds and gardens of the Wildlife Refuge to look for butterflies, moths, bees, and other pollinators. He also talked about the incredible migration of the monarch butterfly, which includes an eastern flyway that comes through New York and New Jersey. The video was initially carried via Facebook Live.
RESTORATION NEWS Littoral Society Honored for Habitat Restoration of Delaware Bay Beaches The American Littoral Society will receive a special recognition award at the Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin’s Board of Directors 38th Annual Recognition Dinner, which will be held on Tuesday, September 21, at The Water Works in Philadelphia.
The Littoral Society was cited for leading pioneering conservation and resilience work to restore Cooks Beach, Reeds Beach and other critical locations along the Delaware Bayshore.
The Littoral Society is one of several individuals, environmental organizations, government agencies, and companies that will be honored for contributions to sound water resource management in the basin.
The list of 2020 Award Recipients also includes:
Click here to learn more about the Water Resources Association and the awards.
Watch a time lapse of Littoral Society Staff Working on a Living Shoreline In August the American Littoral Society and volunteers created a hybrid living shoreline on Shark River Island in Neptune Township, NJ.
The work on the living shoreline was part of a larger project to stabilize an eroding shoreline that is owned by Seaview at Shark River Island Homeowners Association (a community of approximately 200 townhouses).
In addition to planting nearly 2,000 plugs of native grasses in the eroded marsh to widen the storm buffer between the inlet and the island, society staff also installed native shrubs and grasses along the newly created upland berm to further establish a stronger, more resilient shoreline that relies on nature and provides new habitat.
Click here to learn more about this project.
Littoral Society in the News 
More Public Sand for Jersey Shore Town With Access Issues DEAL, N.J. (AP) — A Jersey Shore town with a long history of trying to discourage outsiders from using its beaches is about to get millions of dollars worth of new sand, paid for by federal and New Jersey taxpayers.
U.S. Rep Frank Pallone Jr., a Democrat, said Monday the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will conduct beach replenishment in three towns in November, including Deal. The federal government is paying 65%, or $17 million, of the $26 million project.
Beach access advocates say Deal has one of the worst records of any Jersey Shore town when it comes to requirements that the state's beaches be open and accessible to all. And there is an explicit requirement that towns that accept publicly paid-for sand as part of beach replenishment comply with public beach access rules, including providing adequate public parking within a reasonable distance.
Deal has tried numerous times to enact laws that would allow only residents of some streets closest to the beach to park there during the summer, and it is being sued by a coastal advocacy group fighting its sale to a neighboring homeowner of a street end used by surfers and others to get onto the beach.
New federal money kick-starts water trail on Camden rivers CAMDEN, N.J. (NJ SPOTLIGHT) — Plans for a water trail at Camden were boosted Monday with the announcement of $500,000 in new federal funding intended to help the project become a reality.
The grant was part of $11.5 million from two funds administered by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation to more than 40 local groups in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware working on improving the natural environment in the Delaware River Basin.
In Camden, the new money accelerates the realization of the planned 13-mile trail that will allow kayakers, canoeists and small motorboats to travel the Delaware and Cooper Rivers, through dense urban neighborhoods and past long-neglected natural sites.
The idea of the water trail, said Don Baugh, president of Upstream Alliance — the nonprofit that received the money — is to reconnect residents of one of America’s poorest cities with the rivers that surround them, and which represent a largely inaccessible recreational asset.
Click here to read more at NJ Spotlight
Fair Haven mayor resigns after a decade of service FAIR HAVEN, N.J. (ASBURY PARK PRESS) — Mayor Ben Lucarelli has resigned after serving Fair Haven for more than a decade.
"It's been an honor to serve the borough I love and I'm looking forward to spending more time with my family," Lucarelli told the Asbury Park Press Thursday afternoon.
Lucarelli championed "complete streets" programs, a policy perspective that has a goal of including sidewalks and bike lanes to roads to ensure safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Lucarelli also pushed to improve water quality of the Navesink River, leading an effort to reform a joint municipal river committee with neighboring towns. The river committee partnered with Clean Ocean Action, which brought in specially trained, sewage-sniffing dogs to identify the cause of water pollution, and the American Littoral Society to work on an oyster program to help clean the water.
Lucarelli also led Fair Haven through some of its most difficult times in recent years, including its recovery from superstorm Sandy, the COVID-19 pandemic and the bicycle deaths of Fair Haven Councilman Jerome Koch and Shrewsbury firefighter Cole Porter.
New Jersey Eyes $16B Plan for Gates, Elevations for Flooding TRENTON, NJ (NBC NEW YORK) — Huge gates that could be slammed shut when major storms approach would be built across the mouths of three inlets in New Jersey, closable barriers would cut parts of two bays in half, and 19,000 homes would be raised as part of a $16 billion plan to address back bay flooding, one of the major sources of storm damage at the Jersey Shore.
After five years of study, federal and state officials unveiled recommendations Thursday that would drastically change the appearance of some iconic spots at the shore.
It also would be one of the most ambitious and costly efforts any U.S. state has yet taken to address back bay flooding. This refers to floods that are not primarily caused by waves crashing over ocean barriers, but by stealthily rising water levels in bays along inland shorelines.
“It's not a surprise that the Army Corps wants to built it big: That's what they do,” said Tim Dillingham, executive director of the American Littoral Society, a coastal protection group. “When you only have one tool in your kit, that's the one you use.”
Dillingham said the state should use more of the proposed $16 billion in funding to buy and demolish homes in flood-prone areas. The state already has such a program, but it has not bought a single home along the ocean because no one thus far has wanted to give up their valuable real estate.
JOIN US 
Membership, Renew or Join Today! Your loyalty and support enable us to continue to protect and care for the coast. Your membership supports marine science education programs for thousands of students, protecting and restoring marine life and habitat, and our efforts to defend the coast from harm. 
Show Your Support with Littoral Society Gear There are more ways than ever to show your support for the American Littoral Society. Now available at the Society online store are short-sleeve t-shirts in multiple designs/colors, as well as long-sleeve t's and baseball caps with the Society's name and/or logo.
More Littoral Merch Available at Bonfire You can support the Littoral Society by purchasing our official merchandise through our store on Bonfire.com. All proceeds support coastal conservation!
Bonfire is a free online platform where anyone can design, sell, and buy custom products. We handle payment processing, order fulfillment, and customer service so you can focus on connecting with your community.
Remember the Coast Make sure that our coast remains a home for the coastal wildlife you love. A bequest to the American Littoral Society is a generous and straightforward way to care for the coast. This can be expressed in a will as simply as, “I bequeath [a sum of money, a percentage of my estate, or an IRA, life insurance policy, or investment/bank account] to the American Littoral Society, 18 Hartshorne Drive, Suite 1, Highlands, NJ 07732.”
Consult with your attorney to determine what is best for your situation.
To learn more about planning a gift for the Society, contact Director of Development Hillary Critelli at 732-291-0055 or Hillary.critelli@littoralsociety.org. Other Ways to Support the Society Your membership donation helps the Society reach its fundraising goals to keep our coast safe and healthy. It also helps our staff create new and exciting ways to connect you with the coast even if we can't be there physically together. If you would like to go above and beyond membership, please explore these other ways you can help the Littoral Society continue to care for the coast. 
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