September Littoral News September 1, 2021   It's Time for LIttorally Local You are invited to join the Littorally Local Host Committee and Society Staff on Saturday, September 18, at 5:30 pm for dock-side cocktails, a sunset cruise on Sandy Hook Bay with commentary from local ecologists, and dinner onboard.   This year’s cruise will feature good food, great views, and brews from our good friends at Ross Brewing Company!   Don't have your boarding pass yet? Click here to reserve your place for this special event. Can't join us that evening? Register at no cost to be a Virtual Bidder in the online auction.   Since 1961, the American Littoral Society has been caring for the coast in New Jersey, New York and beyond. We see the beauty and feel the energy that draws you to coastal communities. With your support, we work to protect and restore that splendor.   Your help is needed to continue and expand that work. If you are unable to join us on September 18, please make a donation, fund-a-need, and bid in the online auction. We're Floundering Without You The American Littoral Society is a membership based non-profit organization. Your membership gives us standing in court to protect access for all to beaches and waterways, gives us clout when we testify in Trenton and Washington, DC, and shows foundations and governments grassroots support for coastal conservation.   Be sure to renew your membership, or join for the first time, to continue to show your support for the Littoral Society!   Renew Your Membership Now COMING UP Sunset Seining Wednesday, September 8 6 - 8 p.m. Meet at Littoral Society HQ Gateway National Recreation Area Sandy Hook Unit 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands, NJ Cost: pay what you can Click here to Register   Discover the diverse wildlife inhabiting our coast. After a short talk on the Society’s front porch, you will drive over to Horseshoe Cove on Sandy Hook bay for a seining adventure.   Participants are invited to help pull our 40-foot seine net through the bay, and experience the excitement of learning about the fish and other critters caught.   Wear clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting wet. Judy Weston Memorial Nature Walk Sunday, September 12 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's Don Riepe for a special walk around the ponds and gardens of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.     Josh and Judy Weston have long been friends of the Littoral Society, as well as supporters the NY State Coastal Cleanup and R-Corp program. Judy passed away last year and we'd like to do something in honor of her love of all things littoral.   On the walk, we'll look for migrating warblers, shorebirds, and wading birds as well as monarchs and other butterflies.   For more info and directions call 718-474-0896 or E-mail: don@littoralsociety.org. Wild Edibles Walk Wednesday, September 15 Meet at Littoral Society Headquarters GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands, NJ 6 - 8 p.m. Registration Required Pay what you can   Join the American Littoral Society for a walk on Sandy Hook in search of wild edible plants growing throughout the park.   Wear comfortable shoes as we will walk roughly two miles as we forage and learn local ecology. Be prepared to try some of the wild plants during the walk, or afterwards as we will have small tastings prepared. Jeff Dement Memorial Fluke Tagging Trip Sunday, September 19 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. Out of Atlantic Highlands Marina 2 Simon Lake Drive Atlantic Highlands, NJ $90 per angler Click here to register   Join the American Littoral Society's fish tagging program for a day of fishing and tagging in New Jersey waters in honor of Jeff Dement, who was the director of the fish tagging program until his death in January, 2021.   This trip is for experienced taggers and novices alike. If you've never tagged fish before, this is a great opportunity to learn from experienced taggers.   Cost includes boat ticket, all tackle, bait, and tags. If you have your own tackle, feel free to use it. Space is limited.   For more information, contact emily.mcguckin@littoralsociety.org or call 732-291-0055 X1007. Jamaica Bay Pollinator/Monarch Festival Sunday, September 19 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge 175-10 Cross Bay Blvd Queens, NY Free   Come to the Jamaica Bay refuge and enjoy a hike around the ponds and gardens to look for butterflies, moths, bees, and other pollinators. Learn about the incredible migration of the Monarch Butterfly as well as visit the Pollinator Garden by the visitor center. Kids welcome.   For more info call 718-474-0896 or e-mail Northeast Chapter Director Don Riepe at: don@littoralsociety.org.  Fall Equinox Walk Wednesday, September 22 6 - 8 p.m. Meet at Littoral Society Headquarters GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands, NJ Free, Click to Register   Occurring twice a year, the Equinox signals the beginning of Spring and end of Summer.   Many cultures around the world celebrate the date because it is the only time when day and night are of equal length.   Participants will stroll through the local maritime forest and pause to watch a beautiful sunset. We may even try to balance that darn egg! Public Lands Day Shoreline Cleanup Saturday, September 25 10 a.m. - Noon Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge 175-10 Cross Bay Blvd Queens, NY   Meet at the Jamaica Bay Refuge visitor center and we will go from there to cleanup sites.    Wear boots or old sneakers. We'll clean marine debris from the marsh and shoreline of the refuge. Amount and type of debris will be documented as part of the NY State Beach Cleanup.   This is a partnership program with the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, NYC Audubon, National Park Service, and the American Littoral Society.  All participants must be vaccinated or show proof of recent covid test. Wear mask. Call 718-474-0896 or e-mail: don@littoralsociety.org for more info.  Bridgeton City Cleanup Saturday, September 25 Cleanup 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Celebration 3 - 6:30 p.m. Meet at the River Front for sign-in Between Broad and Commerce streets Bridgeton, NJ Free   We need your help to keep Bridgeton and the Cohansey River green and clean. Join the Littoral Society and partners for a day of work to make the city more beautiful.   Meet at the River Front to sign in, then depart with your group to clean up your area. Drop filled trash bags at the nearest corner. Water and cleaning supplies will be provided.   Come back together at 3 p.m. to celebrate.   Wear sneakers and bring a water bottle.  Covid protocols will be followed: Face masks are required Temps will be checked at the door Remain 6ft away from others when possible 2021 New York State Beach Cleanup The official 2021 International Coastal Cleanup season extends from August 1 through December 31. 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 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! Fort Tilden Hawk Walk Sunday, October 10 10 a.m. - Noon Fort Tilden Range Rd 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, and monarch butterflies as they migrate 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 Saturday, October 16 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge 175-10 Cross Bay Blvd Queens, NY Free   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. 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.    6th Annual Lobster Run Saturday, November 6 Register Now Start and finish: The Langosta Lounge  1000 Ocean Avenue and Second Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ   Get ready to hit the boards for the 6th Annual Lobster Run 5k to Care for the Coast. Register now at www.raceforum.com/lobster.to get a head start on fundraising for your team! 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.     NORTHEAST CHAPTER NEWS We Love U Foundation Removes Tons of Debris from Jamaica Bay Beach   The New York State Beach cleanup is underway! On Aug 29, the Littoral Society welcomed 230 volunteers from the We Love U Foundation, who removed over two tons of debris from the shoreline at Spring Creek!   Click the link to find a cleanup near you!   http://ow.ly/JCvT50G17ni  RESTORATION NEWS Public-Private Partnership Aims to Shore Up Eroded Area of Shark River Island Despite delays and weather issues, over 25 volunteers and local homeowners joined the Littoral Society on Saturday, August 21 to help restore a salt marsh and create 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).   "While calling a waterfront community home has many benefits, it also brings unique challenges," said Michael Brantley, Mayor of Neptune Township. "This partnership, including Monmouth County, the Seaview Island Homeowners Association, Neptune Township, and the American Littoral Society, is making an incredible impact and will protect the lives and property of our residents, as well keeping our shoreline beautiful, for generations to come.”   The project also involves Stockton University, The Nature Conservancy, and private companies (including ECOncrete and Renova Environmental Services), which brought either additional expertise for engineering and monitoring of a project that combines natural solutions - such as the living shoreline - with hard barriers, like concrete mattresses or additional funding.   "This area has suffered heavy erosion that not only impacts the condo owners but also the ecological community," said Capt. Al Modjeski, Habitat Restoration Program Director for the Littoral Society. "As our part of hybrid living shoreline, we planted nearly 2,000 plugs of native grasses in the eroded marsh to widen the storm buffer between the inlet and the island, planted some test plots within the concrete mattresses to soften those structures, and also planted 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 Read More Conservation Victory Littoral Society Applauds Deal to Preserve Cape May's Sewell Tract After nearly 30 years of lawsuits and negotiations, the dispute over 100 acres of privately-owned, environmentally sensitive wetlands in Cape May has finally been resolved, with the outcome guaranteeing the property won't be developed. The owners of the property, East Cape May Associates, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection completed an agreement in mid-August that will preserve the property in its natural state by transferring ownership to the state for $19 million. This tract represents the last privately held contiguous open space in Cape May and is located near the town's Coast Guard Training Center.  "The American Littoral Society welcomes the news of the preservation of the East Cape May Associates tract at Sewell Point in Cape May City," said Tim Dillingham, Executive Director of the Littoral Society. "The Littoral Society has fought to protect this property from development for approximately 25 years, having participated as amicus in numerous legal proceedings, including two appellate arguments and a six-year mediation lead by the late Supreme Court Justice Daniel O'Hern.   "Its environmental values, significance and sensitivities warrant its preservation," Dillingham said. "We commend the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Concerned Citizens for Sewell Tract Preservation (a nonprofit that formed about seven years ago as a plaintiff intervenor in the long-running litigation), and the other litigants for achieving this result."   Click here to read more Littoral Society in the News   'Huge leap forward' for preservation of Delaware Bay wetlands The historic oyster fleet of Bivalve, located at the mouth of Cumberland County’s Maurice River, is one step closer to gaining better protection from the onslaught of rising water and eroding marshland.   Last year, a team led by the Highlands-based American Littoral Society was awarded $4.8 million in federal funds for the planning of a $12-million project that would see the construction of a rock revetment and breakwaters, along with oyster reefs, mussel beds, and other natural barriers, in areas around the mouth of the Maurice that have severely eroded in recent years.   That left team members on the hunt for another $7 million, which they were hoping to obtain through a state match. This month, they received word that they were halfway there: The state, tapping the recently passed budget, has earmarked $3.2 million in matching funds for the project. The allocation will allow for contract bidding and awarding, as well as the first phase of construction, to begin.   “That’s obviously a huge leap forward,” said Tim Dillingham, the Littoral Society’s executive director. “We have all the required state and federal permits in place, and now we have funding to allow us to get going.” Click here to read more   On rafts, inner tubes and flamingoes, they promote Camden’s river On a warm August afternoon, a ragged raft of plastic flotation devices and other watercraft carrying around 40 people drifted slowly on the tide up a Delaware River channel between the Camden County riverfront and Petty’s Island, site of a former oil terminal.   Saturday’s gathering might have been mistaken for just a bunch of partiers out on the water for a few hours. But this was Floatopia, a rally designed to build support for improved public access to the Delaware River in a community that for generations has shunned the waterway as a recreational asset, and to press for the river’s continued cleanup.   To show their support for a more user-friendly river, participants lolled in the laps of inflatable flamingoes, unicorns and assorted plastic rings tied to kayaks and two floating docks, and steered by two motorized boats that provided some measure of control over the unwieldy flotilla.   Attendees included environmental and community activists; a county official; kayakers out for a paddle with their kids, and Camden residents who had heard about the event on social media and decided to give it a try. The event was the first since a test run two years ago.   Click here to read more   Wetland Restoration   It’s been nearly a decade since the storm waters of Superstorm Sandy ravaged the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, punching its way into the West Pond and pulling enormous volumes of sand from the already eroded beaches along the park’s shore. In order to reverse the erosion and help ensure that the next storm won’t be nearly as damaging as the last, the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy has entered into a partnership with the National Parks Service to add 44,000 cubic yards of sand to the area near the former breach, and extend the shoreline back to its 1974 levels.    “This project will create acres of new habitat at the refuge while enhancing and protecting West Pond and the beloved loop trail,” said JBRPC Executive Director Alex Zablocki. “Construction of this innovative living shoreline project is only possible through partnership and the Conservancy recognizes the work of governmental agencies, elected officials and local organizations like the Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers and American Littoral Society for supporting the project through design and ensuring that the project be built in Jamaica Bay.”   Click here to read more   Youth Hockey Team Jumps Into New York State Beach Cleanup On August 21 the Long Island Rebels 10U hockey team participated in the American Littoral Society 2021 NYS Beach Cleanup.   The team did a fantastic job removing 43.5 lbs of trash from our beautiful LI beaches. They found many cans, bottles, bottle caps, straws, styrofoam, plastic cups and even a shoe. Not only did the team collect the trash but they meticulously documented each item they collected as the Littoral Society accumulates that information and uses it to better understand what pollutants are in our oceans.   The team learned a great lesson about environmental responsibility and felt great about themselves and the work they had done. To celebrate their accomplishment immediately following the cleanup we had a pizza and pool party. It was a great experience for both the parents and kids.    Click here to read more   Diners' discarded shells help establish new oyster colonies Shells discarded by diners are being collected, cleaned and dumped into waterways around the country and the world, where they form the basis of new oyster colonies   Communities, environmental groups and governments around the world have embraced oyster recycling and replanting in recent decades.   The effort reaches as far as Australia, where The Nature Conservancy's "Shuck, Don't Chuck" program recycles oysters to restore colonies in places including Port Phillip Bay.   In New Jersey, several such programs exist, including one run by the American Littoral Society and another by Long Beach Township.   Click here to read more   U.S. Representatives Join Littoral Society and Upstream Alliance on the Delaware We had the privilege of helping American Littoral Society take out U.S. Representatives Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) and Congressman Brendan Boyle (PA-02) onto the Delaware River in the past few weeks. Thanks for your support of clean and accessible waterways!   From Upstream Alliance Facebook Post 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. You are vitally important to this work; coastal conservation is a group effort. Your membership in the Society adds your voice to many others in support of marine life and the coast. Seniors can join or renew for $30, and Individuals for $40, or Families for $50. Click here to join, renew or give the gift of membership   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. The long-sleeve shirts have the definition of littoral on the back. The baseball caps are focused on the Society's Fish Tagging Program and feature a tagged black seabass. Purchase proceeds cover the cost of the item and contribute to the Society's operating budget. Click here to find Littoral Society wearable gear in the online store.   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! In addition to shirts in a variety of designs, our Bonfire merchandise now includes Coastal Canine Doggie Tees, a beach tote, and a women's racerback style bearing the Knots for Crabs design.   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. Find our swag at: https://www.bonfire.com/store/american-littoral-society/ 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. Tribute Gifts Donor Advised Fund Planned Giving Corporate Matching Gifts AmazonSmile Facebook/Instagram Fundraisers Official Merchandise from Bonfire Our Contact Information *{{Organization Name}}* *{{Organization Address}}* *{{Organization Phone}}* *{{Organization Website}}* *{{Unsubscribe}}*

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