Previous editions of the Littoral Society Newsletters

Thank you again for subscribing to our mailing list and for looking out for Littoral Society updates each month!   To make it easier for you to sign up for the programs you love, and to read up on all the good work the Society is doing, we’ve split the formerly once a month E-Newsletter send into two email sends a month. The first one will feature events and activities you can sign up for. The second email, sent in the middle of the month will highlight Society stories and program updates.   We hope this change makes things easier for you! If you have any feedback, please feel free to email me at lindsay@littoralsociety.org.   Looking forward to seeing you at our upcoming events,   Lindsay McNamara Director of Development, Membership and Outreach American Littoral Society Restoration Corps Participants Lend a Hand While Learning Delaware Bay and Jamaica Bay Each summer, young adults come to the American Littoral Society to join the Restoration Corps, a youth employment and education program. Also known as R-Corps, the program is specifically designed to engage young people in meaningful environmental projects.   Find out what our Delaware Bay and Jamaica Bay R-Corps contingents did this summer. Environmental Groups Urge Release of NJPACT Regulations Trenton, NJ In 2020, executive and administrative orders called on New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to begin a regulatory reform effort to help reduce greenhouse gases and other climate pollutant emissions while making our natural and built environments more resilient to the impacts of climate change. But the new regulations have yet to be released.   The Littoral Society and other environmental organizations are urging New Jersey's governor to act now on new rules that could save lives and prevent property damage from future storms. Shell Drop-Off Site is Next Step for "Shuck It, Don't Chuck It!" Program Rumson, NJ A community drop-off site for recycling shells is the latest step for the Littoral Society’s “Shuck It, Don’t Chuck It!” program.   Check out all that's happening with our work to collect shell for restoration projects. Perth Amboy Students Plant Beach Grass at Local Park Perth Amboy, NJ Thanks to the hard work of the school students, staff and community members, there are more than 1,500 new culms of American beachgrass on the beach along Sadowski Parkway Waterfront Park in Perth Amboy, NJ.   Learn about the work students from the Academy of Urban Leadership Charter School did at the park and with the Littoral Society's Beach Grasses in Classes program. Data from Fish Tagging Plays a Role in Preserving Striped Bass Sandy Hook, NJ Since the establishment of the American Littoral Society’s Fish Tagging Program, Atlantic striped bass, commonly referred to as stripers, have been one of the favorite fish for our members to tag and release.   Discover how information collected by our Fish Tagging Program can help maintain striped bass populations. Horseshoe Crabs and Shorebirds Threatened by Proposed Harvest Changes Delaware Bay Even though agreed upon conservation targets have not been reached, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is proposing changes to horseshoe crab harvest controls that could have a devastating effect on a threatened shorebird, the Delaware Bay ecosystem, and the economies related to both.   Learn more about the Littoral Society's opposition to the changes proposed by ASMFC. Ask Your Senators to Pass the NY-NJ Watershed Protection Act Washington, DC Over the past few decades, huge strides have been made to improve the waters of the Hudson-Raritan watersheds, which include the ports in New York and New Jersey, as well as the Hudson, Mohawk, Raritan, Passaic, Hackensack and Bronx rivers. But more must be done.   Help support the bill that would supercharge efforts to improve the waters of the Hudson and Raritan watersheds. Basket Flats Work Will Help Protect Communities, Economy and Environment Bivalve, NJ Due to erosion, Basket Flats marsh at the Mouth of the Maurice River has shrunk by 100 feet in the last three years. At the Littoral Society, we believe this special place along the Delaware Bayshore should be protected and preserved.   Explore what the Littoral Society is doing to #BuildUpBasketFlats.  Join us in caring for the coast DONATE Our Contact Information *{{Organization Name}}* *{{Organization Address}}* *{{Organization Phone}}* *{{Organization Website}}* *{{Unsubscribe}}*

To make it easier for you to sign up for the programs you love, and to read up on all the good work the Society is doing, we’ve split the formerly once a month E-Newsletter send into two email sends a month. The first one will feature events and activities you can sign up for. The second email, sent in the middle of the month will highlight Society stories and program updates.   We hope this change makes things easier for you! If you have any feedback, please feel free to email me at lindsay@littoralsociety.org.   Looking forward to seeing you at our upcoming events,   Lindsay McNamara Director of Development, Membership and Outreach American Littoral Society Littorally Local Sunset Cruise Atlantic Highlands, NJ  Friday, September 16, 5:30-8:30 pm Learn More and Purchase Tickets Sunset Seining in Sandy Hook Bay Highlands, NJ Wednesday, August 3 and August 17, 6 pm Explore with us! Sign up for seining on August 3 // August 17 Late Nights, Living Fossils, and Lots of Eggs Long Beach Township, NJ Thursday, August 11 at 10 am Learn more and register for our own Toni Rose Tablante's presentation on horseshoe crabs.  Daytime Seining in Sandy Hook Bay Highlands, NJ Thursday, August 11, 12-1 pm Explore with us! Sign up for daytime seining on August 11 Tidalwave Music Festival Atlantic City, NJ Friday-Sunday, August 12-14 We can't wait to see you there! Learn more about how to visit us in the Conservation Village and how you can help #RockTheOcean at: https://www.rocktheocean.com/. Jamaica Bay Shorebird Festival Queens, NY Saturday, August 13 at 9 am Go to our website for more information and to register. Who knows what you'll see? Slack Tide Brewing Pint Night Cape May Court House, NJ Friday, August 26, 5 pm You can't make good beer without clean water! Join us for coastal trivia and more! Check out the details on our calendar. Wingin' It: Summer Bird Walk Highlands, NJ Tuesday, August 30, 4 pm Let's get birdy! Find more information and register on our website. Annual Fluke Tagging Trip Atlantic Highlands, NJ Saturday, September 3, 6:45 am We can't wait to see you for our annual trip! Learn more on our website. New York State Beach Cleanup Throughout New York State Saturday, September 17 Email NYSBC@littoralsociety.org to volunteer or go to the beach cleanup website.  Join us in caring for the coast DONATE Our Contact Information *{{Organization Name}}* *{{Organization Address}}* *{{Organization Phone}}* *{{Organization Website}}* *{{Unsubscribe}}*

July Littoral News July 1, 2022 Pictured, from left to right, are award recipients who attended the Littoral Society's Annual Members Day: Michelle Williams, Cameron Williams, Don Riepe, and Tom Knezik. Coastal Champions Honored at Littoral Society Member's Day Some special people were recognized as coastal champions at the Littoral Society's Member's Day event on Saturday, June 25. Among the honorees were our own Jamaica Bay Guardian Don Riepe, who received the Graham Macmillan Award for his lifetime of work in advocating for and protecting Jamaica Bay, and Cameron Williams, who received the R-Corps Intern Achievement Award for years of work and commitment to the Jamaica Bay Restoration Corps program. Others awards recipients were: Coastal Educator Award - Michelle Williams, a Woodstown High School Science Teacher and Society volunteer; Coastal Business Champion Award - Pinelands Nursery, award accepted by Tom Knezik on behalf of his family's business; Community Partner Award - Karl Brown, Principal at Indian Avenue School; Conservation Practice Partner Award - Steve Hafner, Assistant Director at Stockton University Coastal Research Center; and Coastal Community Stewardship Award - Esaul Martin, Gateway Community Action Partnership.    Read on to learn more about each coastal champion. COMING UP Sunset Seining Returns in July Wednesday, July 6 Wednesday, July 20 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. American Littoral Society HQ Gateway National Recreation Area Sandy Hook Unit  GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands, NJ Pay What You Can Register for July 6 Register for July 20   Discover the diverse wildlife inhabiting our coast. After a short talk on the Society’s front porch, we 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. Contact: nicole.haines@littoralsociety.org for more information. Daytime Seining Thursday, July 28 Noon - 1 p.m. Meet at Horseshoe Cove – Lot L Parking Gateway National Recreation Area Sandy Hook Unit  GPS: Intersection of Hartshorne Drive and Atlantic Drive Highlands, NJ Pay What You Can Please Register   Discover the diverse wildlife inhabiting our coast with some lunchtime seining. 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 a bathing suit or clothes/shoes you don’t mind getting wet! Meet at Horseshoe Cove on the bayside of Sandy Hook, just across Hartshorne Drive from the Lot L parking area. Critters, Creeks, and Coasts Summer Library Series Tuesday, July 5 at 1 p.m. Bridgeton Library 150 E Commerce Street Bridgeton, NJ   Wednesday, July 6 at 2 p.m. Cumberland County Library 800 E Commerce Street Bridgeton, NJ Please Register   Thursday, July 21 at 1 p.m. Millville Library 210 Buck Street Millville, NJ   The American Littoral Society invites children ages 6 and up to explore the critters that live in aquatic habitats from creeks to the coast!   Join us for a hands-on program to discover insects that live in freshwater streams, oysters and other creatures from the bay, and what we can do to protect and conserve water for animals and people. Zero Waste Workshop Thursday, July 14 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Millville Public Library 210 Buck Street Millville, NJ   Join Michelle Rebilas, the American Littoral Society’s Delaware Bayshore Education and Outreach Coordinator, for a workshop that will cover ways to minimize waste in your everyday life to lessen human impact on the planet.   The workshop will include: pollution facts easy switches trash audits microfibers fast fashion door prizes and more! For more info, visit: https://www.millvillepubliclibrary.org/ Wingin' It: Summer Bird Walks Friday, July 29 3 - 5 p.m.  Meet at American Littoral Society HQ  GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands, NJ $10 for members, $20 for nonmembers Please Register   Join “bird nerd” and Littoral Society Director of Development, Membership and Outreach Lindsay McNamara for a summer bird walk on the Hook. After meeting at Littoral Society Headquarters, we'll walk the paved multi-use pathway to Horseshoe Cove (about 1.5 miles) looking for seasonal bird visitors.   Please dress for the weather, wear closed-toe shoes, bring water and binoculars if you have them. The Society also has Nikon 8x42 binoculars for participants to borrow during the walk. Let’s get birdy!   Contact lindsay@littoralsociety.org with any questions. SANDY HOOK NEWS Awards, Activities Highlight Littoral Society Member's Day The Littoral Society’s annual day to celebrate our members took place on Saturday, June 25 outside our headquarters on Officer’s Row in the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. In addition to our members meeting, 2022 Coastal Champions Awards, and Board of Trustees election, there was live music, seining, bird walks, a beach cleanup, oysters from Cape May Salts Oyster Farms, beer from Ross Brewing, and lunch from Local Smoke BBQ!   See more pictures from the 2022 Member's Day Celebration Family and Friends Remember Fish Tagger Bill Woodroffe By William (Bill) Woodroffe 3rd As a member of the American Littoral Society, William (Bill) Woodroffe Jr. was a tagger. He was also our father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He specialized in tagging stripers, threading the distinctive yellow tag behind the top fin of nearly 1,000 during his 35 years as a member of the Littoral Society. Almost 50 were re-caught, which resulted in him receiving reports of where and when the fish was hooked again. As an avid surfcaster, most of his fish were tagged while surfcasting off the Riis Park/Ft. Tilden ocean beaches in Queens, NY. The farthest re-catch was a striper he tagged in December 1997, which was re-caught in Boston in 1999. He was proud of these reports, and they certainly gave us a better understanding of the world of fish, right in our own backyard.   Read more at the Littoral Society Blog Interns are, from left to right, Emily Zembricki, Julissa Reyes, and Anna Nowell. Littoral Society Welcomes Summer Interns The American Littoral Society is thrilled to welcome a trio of interns to the staff for the summer. Let us introduce you to Emily Zembricki, who will be working with the Fish Tagging program; Julissa Reyes, who will work with the Education Program; and Anna Nowell, our Development intern.   Learn more about the Littoral Society's Summer Interns Highlights from Pine Barrens Kayak Trip Watch some highlights of our Pine Barrens Kayak Trip with Pinelands Adventures from June 17. We took kayaks down the tea-colored waters of the Batsto River. Along the way we saw carnivorous plants, iridescent dragonflies, blueberry bushes, orchids and more! We hope you can join us next year.    Watch the Video on Instagram NORTHEAST CHAPTER NEWS Littoral Society Interns Join Jamaica Bay Terrapin Study Diamondback terrapins are both a keystone species and top predators, making their conservation essential for the health of the ecosystems in which they reside. However, their numbers are dropping rapidly in New York's Jamaica Bay due to high levels of egg predation, drowning in crab and lobster traps, and habitat loss.   The American Littoral Society is working with Hofstra University's Dr. Russell Burke on a study of the diamondback terrapin population in Jamaica Bay, called the Jamaica Bay Terrapin Research Project. Dr. Burke has been coordinating volunteer driven research on the Bay's West Pond since 1998. Alexandra Kanonik, director of the Littoral Society's Northeast Chapter, has collaborated on this research since 2008, and together they have published several scientific papers that contribute to the understanding of the diamondback terrapin population in New York City. Recently, the Littoral Society and R-Corps Interns took part in the first trapping session of the year, with the help of Don Riepe, the Society's Jamaica Bay Guardian. A total of 13 terrapins were carefully and temporarily captured in modified crab traps.   Read more at the Littoral Society Blog Group from Local Company Helps Clean Jamaica Bay Beach In early June, a group of 33 employees from the Community Offshore Wind company joined with the American Littoral Society and removed about 900 pounds of marine debris from the shorelines of Spring Creek, Jamaica Bay. “They were a fun-loving and hard-working group that did a great job of cleaning the beach,” said Don Riepe, the Jamaica Bay Guardian for the Littoral Society. “I thoroughly enjoyed working with them and hope they come back for another volunteer project later this year.”  Community Offshore Wind is a joint venture between RWE Renewables – an international power company - and National Grid Renewables, which is developing offshore wind in the New York Bight. Register for the New York State Beach Cleanup DELAWARE BAY NEWS Rain Garden is Planted at Cumberland County Library  The Cumberland County Library in Bridgeton, NJ is now home to a rain garden! Installed in partnership with the American Littoral Society’s Delaware Bayshore Team, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program, and Cumberland County Public Works, the rain garden will serve as an example of the use of Green Stormwater Infrastructure to prevent pollution, provide habitat for wildlife, and protect communities against flooding. Library staff, volunteers and the Society’s Restoration Corps interns came out on Saturday, June 18 to fill the new rain garden with native plants that will help prevent stormwater pollution from flowing into nearby streams, while also providing vital habitat for local insects, birds, and other creatures. The library’s new rain garden will be a resource for education, relaxation, and nature appreciation in the community. This work is a part of the South Jersey Landscape Makeover Program funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the William Penn Foundation.  See more pictures of the rain garden AAPI Staff Help Littoral Society Continue Legacy of Founding Member May was Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, as we look back on their many accomplishments, we’d like to take a moment to celebrate the work of some of our own AAPI staff. One of our newest hires, Toni Rose Tablante, is a proud first-generation American whose family emigrated from the Philippines. Growing up, the self-described “over achiever” had to carve her own path in a community where she could’ve set to become a nurse or an engineer. She sought every opportunity to connect with the coast and eventually attended Rutgers University to study marine science. Being the only AAPI student in her major, times were often isolating for Toni Rose. Nevertheless, she persevered and achieved the seemingly impossible goal of entering the marine science field.   Read More at the Littoral Society Blog  RESTORATION PROGRAM NEWS Americorps Team Joins Society for Work and Walk They came to lend a hand but left with great memories of the Jersey Shore, Sandy Hook and the work being done by the American Littoral Society.   On Saturday, May 21, AmeriCorps Team Wave 5 (one unit from the partnership between AmeriCorps and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)) joined staff from the Littoral Society and community volunteers for a work day at our Slade Dale Sanctuary restoration site. They helped refill the breakwaters with recycled Christmas trees collected by Lacey Township.   Known as branchbox breakwaters, these wooden structures are designed to control erosion at the site by slowing currents and waves, as well as capture the sediment being carried in the water. The Slade Dale Sanctuary shoreline has eroded approximately 600 over the past century, endangering the protected pine-oak forest, hardwood swamp, and salt marsh, which provides a nursery for fish, a foraging site for other creatures, and storm protection for the surrounding community.   Following the work day, the AmeriCorps team joined Lindsay McNamara, the Littoral Society's Director of Development and resident bird nerd, for a tour of Sandy Hook. Team 5 member Edward Lewis sent us the following note as the group prepared to depart from New Jersey:   Read more at the Littoral Society Blog OPERATION OYSTER NEWS Oyster Farmers and Guests Join Littoral Society for Evening on the Hook The “Shuck It, Don’t Chuck It!” (SIDCI) shell recycling program’s first Oyster Evening was a hit. Held at McFly's On The Hook, the evening involved a viewing of the film, "The Oyster Farmers", which features our own, Captain Al Modjeski, and our partner, Barnegat Oyster Collective (BOC). Hors d’ oeuvres were served throughout the evening, including oysters provided and shucked by staff from BOC, who also followed up the film with an active Q&A session.   We discussed New Jersey's growing aquaculture industry, the Littoral Society’s Operation Oyster and “Shuck It, Don’t Chuck It!” programs, as well as how oysters can play a key role in cleaning the state's bays and estuaries, while also protecting shorelines from storms. Then concluded the evening just in time to catch a great sunset on Sandy Hook.   See More Pictures from the Oyster Evening on the Hook.   The SIDCI program also held its first trivia night, “What the Shell?!,” at The Whitechapel Projects, of Long Branch. Participants had the opportunity to receive Littoral Society merch such as T-shirts, stickers, and pins in each of the three rounds of the event.   Keep an eye out for future hostings of these SIDCI events and others by signing up for the Society’s monthly e-newsletter or checking the events tab on our website.   In other news, SIDCI welcomes its newest business participant, Shore Fresh Seafood Market & Restaurant, of Pt. Pleasant, who donated their first 50lbs of oyster shells during the last week of June.   If you’re interested in gathering more information on this program, such as upcoming events and how to get involved, please visit our shell recycling webpage. Shuck It, Don't Chuck It! Happenings & Events The Littoral Society’s “Shuck It, Don’t Chuck It!” shell recycling program is making great strides this year. Check out what's happening! Truck Purchase We finally found our oyster transport vehicle to boost our shell collection efforts! At the moment, the truck doesn’t look much different than your average Dodge pickup. But work is underway to make it more on brand. Imagine one of our eye-catching Operation Oyster t-shirts on wheels. Keep an eye on this space for further truck updates. Shell Weight While the truck may not be fully tricked out, it's already in shell-hauling service. During the month of May, we recycled 530 pounds of shells, which brought our total since the start of this project to more than 56,000 pounds. That’s 28 tons - over half a million shells - that will be used for Littoral Society restoration projects such as living shorelines and oyster reefs.   Read More at the Littoral Society Blog Former Shore Restaurateur Turns to Recycling Seafood Shells Serena Celestino grew up serving customers at Vinnie’s, her family’s venerable Barnegat restaurant. Today, restaurants are her customers. As the new full-time coordinator for the American Littoral Society’s Shuck It, Don’t Chuck It! shell-recycling program, she enlists local restaurants to donate, rather than discard, their used oyster, clam and mussel shells. The shells are collected, cured in the sun, and spread along shorelines in the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers.   Once plentiful in the two rivers, oysters are no longer harvested there due to poor water quality. However, installing used shells along the shorelines creates habitat for fish, crabs and other invertebrates, as well as vegetation such as native eelgrass, that filters the water. This living shoreline, as it’s called, also prevents erosion by reducing the force of waves, according to Celestino—who, while working at Vinnie’s, earned degrees in ecology evolution, natural-resource management and geological sciences from Rutgers University.   “I grew up in the restaurant business and managed one for seven years,” says Celestino, 27, referring to Vinnie’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria, from which she stepped back in March 2021, but continues to help on the administrative side. “People don’t realize how individual every restaurant is and how fast-paced and difficult it is to work in one. Having that understanding allows me to relate with everyone working there.”   Read More at NJ Monthly FISH TAGGING PROGRAM NEWS Fish Tagger Spotlight Greg O’Driscoll has been a member with the Tagging Program since 1990!   If you’re interested in being on the next Tagger Spotlight, let us know! To learn more about the Littoral Society's Fish Tagging Program and how you can get involved, go to: https://www.littoralsociety.org/fish-tagging.html. SAVE THE DATE Sunset Seining Wednesday, August 3 Wednesday, August 17 6:00pm - 8:00pm American Littoral Society HQ Gateway National Recreation Area Sandy Hook Unit  GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands, NJ Pay What You Can Register for August 3 Register for August 17   Discover the diverse wildlife inhabiting our coast. After a short talk on the Society’s front porch, we 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. Contact: nicole.haines@littoralsociety.org for more information.   Wingin' It: Summer Bird Walk Tuesday, August 30 4 - 6 p.m.  Meet at American Littoral Society HQ  GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands, NJ $10 for members, $20 for nonmembers Please Register   Join “bird nerd” and Littoral Society Director of Development, Membership and Outreach Lindsay McNamara for a summer bird walk on the Hook. After meeting at Littoral Society Headquarters, we'll walk the paved multi-use pathway to Horseshoe Cove (about 1.5 miles) looking for seasonal bird visitors.   Please dress for the weather, wear closed-toe shoes, bring water and binoculars if you have them. The Society also has Nikon 8x42 binoculars for participants to borrow during the walk. Let’s get birdy!   Contact lindsay@littoralsociety.org with any questions.   Jamaica Bay Shorebird Festival Saturday, August 13 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center 175-10 Cross Bay Blvd Queens, NY Free, Donation Requested   Join shorebird experts for a hike around Jamaica Bay's East Pond to view many species of migratory shorebirds. Learn about their behavior, biology and how to identify them in the field.   For more info contact don@littoralsociety.org.  Cape Ann Whale Watch Thursday thru Sunday August 4 - 7 Gloucester, MA $595/person (double occupancy) Single rate is $125 extra   The weekend includes three nights lodging in historic Gloucester, Massachusetts, a half day on a whale boat, Essex River Cruise, Lobster/seafood dinner, Canoeing on the Ipswich River, and a guided hike to Halibut Point.   Please note that the itinerary may change to do weather or unforeseen conditions. We can change the whale boat excursion to Friday PM or Sunday AM if necessary.  Car pooling available or we’ll rent van if needed.  The van will leave from Manhattan and cost $150 per person.   To reserve, send deposit of $100 to:  American Littoral Society, 18 hartshorne Drive, Highlands, NJ 07732 (attn: Diana). Join Us for Littorally Local on Friday, September 16 The American Littoral Society is excited to announce Littorally Local, our fall 2022 fundraiser to care for the coast on Friday, September 16 in Atlantic Highlands. All proceeds benefit the American Littoral Society's efforts to care for the coast. Find more information on the Littorally Local page. The fourth annual Littorally Local event will include a dockside cocktails and appetizers from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. onboard Teal Cruises' Festiva and then a sunset cruise on Sandy Hook Bay from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Please consider donating a product or service to the auction, sponsoring, or underwriting the event to support the Society’s efforts to care for the coast! The online auction will take place from Friday, September 9, to Saturday, September 17, and culminate at the event. Littoral Society in the News Horseshoe Crabs Tagged along Delaware Bay A group of volunteers tagged and released horseshoe crabs on a Delaware Bay beach in Cumberland County recently. The Delaware Bay has one of the largest concentrations of horseshoe crabs in the world, according to staff with the American Littoral Society.   Watch the video at The Press of Atlantic City 10 Years After Hurricane Sandy: What’s Next for the Jersey Shore? It happens every spring. Massive mounds of sand rise on the beach in North Wildwood. The mounds loom alongside the boardwalk, gray and menacing, like a rogue wave.    But the great mounds are nothing to fear. They are evidence of emergency beach replenishment, an annual ritual in this oceanfront resort. North Wildwood trucks sand from Wildwood City (which has too much) and deposits it on its own beaches (which have too little). In the weeks leading up to Memorial Day, the mounds disappear as the sand is spread and North Wildwood’s beaches are restored. ... For the past decade, New Jersey nonprofits (including the American Littoral Society) and for-profit operations have been creating habitat for shellfish throughout Garden State bays. While the shellfish help filter bay water, making the bays more hospitable to other marine life, the habitat structures help stabilize the bay floors and shorelines.    Read more at NJ Monthly 11 advocacy groups oppose new Liberty State Park bill “In its current form, we continue to oppose this bill. However, we wish to be clear on the nature of our opposition. The groups below are aware of a need for active recreational opportunities for residents, particularly those who live in close proximity to the park,” the organizations wrote to the Assembly State and Local Government Committee yesterday.   “We support investment in the park, creation of more active and passive recreational opportunities, and increased public access. However, protection of critical natural spaces and habitat areas and additional active recreation are not mutually exclusive.”   The groups ask for amendments such as permanent protections for Caven Point, limiting active recreation to 62 acres overall – including 50 acres of the interior – prohibiting large-scale commercialization, and specifically outlining how the $250 million can be spent.   The letter is signed by the Friends of Liberty State Park, the NY/NJ Baykeeper, the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, the New Jersey Sierra Club, Environment New Jersey, New Jersey Audubon, the New Jersey Conversation Foundation, the American Littoral Society, New Jersey Citizen Action, the Hackensack Riverkeeper, and the New Jersey Policy Perspective.   Read More at The Hudson County View Where the wild things are: A field guide to interesting species in N.J. New Jersey is well-known for packing people into its roughly 7,300 square miles, but a lesser-known fact is the state burgeons with wildlife, boasting more than 500 species.    “Considering we are the most densely populated state per square mile by human population, we have more diversity of species per square mile than any other state,’’ said Diane Nickerson, director, Mercer County Wildlife Center, which rescues wild animals from across New Jersey.     This wildlife abundance is thanks to a diversity of habitats — coastal, wooded, farmlands and pinelands. Following is a look at some of the interesting creatures that love Jersey as much as we do.    Conservation efforts have spurred an increase in humpback whales along the Jersey Shore, especially in spring when these majestic creatures feed right off the shore, munching on bait fish, as they migrate north to birth their calves.    “Whale watching trips are growing out of this,’’ said Tim Dillingham, executive director, American Littoral Society, which has partnered with the SeaStreak ferry company to offer sea cruises where guests can see whales, dolphins, seals and seabirds.    Read more at Jersey's Best A ‘Living Shoreline’ Takes Root in New York’s Jamaica Bay A flotilla of water birds bobbed on West Pond as hundreds of tree swallows swooped overhead, their blue iridescent backs glinting in the sun. Manhattan’s skyline loomed in the distance.     The pond, part of Jamaica Bay, a National Park Service wildlife refuge next to Kennedy Airport between southwest Queens and Rockaway Beach, is one of the few freshwater stops for migrating birds in the urban New York City region. In 2012, it was breached by Superstorm Sandy’s tumultuous waves and 115 mile per hour winds, becoming a tidal lagoon.    Now, a “living shoreline” restoration project devised by the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy is showing early signs that new marsh grasses, protected by degradable jetties, could become a prototype for other coastal resiliency projects looking to protect habitats and coastlines from the increased storms and rising sea levels of climate change. ... The West Pond living shoreline is not the first marsh restoration project in the bay. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began marsh restoration projects in 2003. This was in response to an estimated loss of 220 acres of salt marsh at a rate of 47 acres per year from 1994 to 1999. More recently, groups like the American Littoral Society and Jamaica Bay Guardian have partnered with the Army Corps of Engineers to restore historical marshlands.   Read More at Inside Climate News Study Pinpoints Coastal Wetlands Capable of Surviving Climate Change Climate Central today announced the publication of a new peer-reviewed study and interactive mapping tool showing American coastal wetlands' resilience to climate change. The maps incorporate the study's findings to reveal precise locations where wetlands might survive rising seas either by migrating upland or by growing higher to stay above rising water levels.   Texas coastal wetlands projections, 2050, with full conservation   But the study, published in Environmental Research Communications, finds that rising seas threaten to drown most coastal wetlands by 2100—despite their unique abilities to adapt—unless planners preserve enough adjacent land to accommodate migration, and nations reduce greenhouse gas emissions to slow the pace of global warming and sea level rise.   The southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts face the highest risks of wetlands loss by the end of this century. The risks are most acute in Louisiana (home to one-third of America's coastal wetlands), North Carolina, and Texas. Risks in California and Florida are magnified because their wetlands have limited undeveloped land to migrate to. Climate Central maps specifically identify where conservation efforts and climate action can reduce the loss of coastal wetlands, or in some cases allow them to expand, even as sea levels rise. ... Tim Dillingham, executive director of the American Littoral Society said, "Rising seas mean more wetlands are giving way to open water, and their important benefits are disappearing with them. But these are resilient, dynamic systems. They can grow higher and even move into new areas, and we must take action to support them."   Read more at PRNewswire 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 Lindsay McNamara at 732-291-0055 or info@littoralsociety.com.  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}}*

June Littoral News June 1, 2022 Members Day is Just Around the Corner Please join us for the annual Members Day celebration, Annual Meeting, and Board of Trustees election on Sandy Hook on Saturday, June 25!   Members Day is a members-only event, please make sure your membership is up to date in order to attend! If you’re not sure of your membership status, please email info@littoralsociety.org and we will let you know. Click here if you know you need to renew or would like to become a member.   If you are a current member, you will receive an email with a link to register online. You will also receive a notice in the mail that will include a ballot for you to vote in the annual Board of Trustees election.   After the meeting, members will be treated to a picnic lunch from Local Smoke BBQ, beer from Ross Brewing, and live music. Outdoor activities will include seining, a botany walk, birding, shell scavenger hunt, and a beach cleanup. Please dress for the weather and your desired activity, and bring any supplemental gear you need. COMING UP Jamaica Bay Horseshoe Crab festival Saturday, June 4 (rain date Sunday June 5) 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center 175-10 Cross Bay Blvd Queens, NY Free, Donation Appreciated Please Register   Meet at the refuge visitor center for a special event – the annual Horseshoe Crab mating ritual. We’ll visit the shoreline at the American Ballfield beach (W. 22nd Street) and get to meet the ancient crabs in person. Kids welcome.   This is a partnership program with NYC Audubon, the National Park Service, Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, and the American Littoral Society. For more info contact: don@littoralsociety.org.  Wingin' It: Spring Migration Bird Walks Thursday, June 2 9 - 11 a.m.  Sunday, June 12 10 a.m. - Noon Meet at American Littoral Society HQ  GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands, NJ $10 for members, $20 for nonmembers Register for June 2 Register for June 12   Join “bird nerd” and Littoral Society Director of Development, Membership and Outreach Lindsay McNamara for a spring migration bird walk on the Hook. After meeting at Littoral Society Headquarters, we'll walk the paved multi-use pathway to Horseshoe Cove (about 1.5 miles) looking for seasonal bird visitors.   Please dress for the weather, wear closed-toe shoes, bring water and binoculars if you have them. The Society also has Nikon 8x42 binoculars for participants to borrow during the walk. Let’s get birdy!   Contact lindsay@littoralsociety.org with any questions. Junior Ranger Angler Saturday, June 4 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sandy Hook Unit Gateway National Recreation Area Highlands, NJ Free, Register here   The National Park Service and the American Littoral Society are partnering to teach young children how to fish. Join us for a day of surf fishing and instruction on the beach.     We will cover the basics of casting, knot tying, lure/bait selection, and “reading” a beach. All skill levels are welcome. Rods, reels, and tackle will be provided. Children ages 11 and up are welcome with a supervising adult.   Please register at the link NJDEP | NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program for the NJ Saltwater Fishing Registry, complete, print, and bring the form with you to the in-person program. Please bring your lunch and snacks. You can also call 732-872-5970 for more info or to make a reservation. Women Only! Surf Fishing Clinic DATE CHANGE: Sunday, June 5 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Meet at Littoral Society Headquarters GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands NJ $30 Members $75 Non-members Registration Required   Do you want to learn to fish with a group of like-minded rockstar women?! Join Emily McGuckin, Fish-Tagging Director for the Littoral Society, for a day of surf fishing and instruction on the beach. She'll cover the basics of casting, knot tying, lure/bait selection, and “reading” a beach.   All skill levels are welcomed. 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 for the early morning gathering but please bring your lunch.   For more information contact emily.mcguckin@littoralsociety.org. World Oceans Day Walk Wednesday, June 8 6:30 - 8 p.m. Meet at Lot B Gateway National Recreation Area Sandy Hook Unit Highlands, NJ (map)  Free, Registration Required   Celebrate World Oceans Day with the American Littoral Society! Join us for an evening walk on the beach at Sandy Hook, during which we'll talk about the creatures that call the ocean home, while watching the sunset, and looking for shells, sand dollars, and sea glass.   World Oceans Day is an international day that takes place annually on June 8 in order to support implementation of worldwide Sustainable Development Goals, while also fostering public interest in the protection of the ocean and the sustainable management of its resources. What the Shell!? Trivia Night Thursday, June 9 6 p.m. start White Chapel Projects 15 2nd Avenue Long Branch, NJ   Come to White Chapel Project in Long Branch for a night of trivia! We will be asking questions about the many different mollusks you can find around New Jersey as well as other coastal questions. The winner will go home with a prize! 10% of all sales this night will go towards the Littoral Society.   Inspired by the creativity and energy of the Whitechapel District of London, this versatile venue strives to redefine how art permeates our daily life– be it through food, drink, performances, events, and other forms of artistic expression.   Marilyn Schlossbach joined Preston Casertano and the Two River Organic Mushroom team in 2020 to bring sustainable craft beer, cocktails, wines, culinary comforts, and events to this neighborhood spot. Volunteer Event: Shark River Work Day Friday, June 10 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. GPS for Parking: 101 Seaview Court Neptune, NJ Please Register   Come lend a hand with a living shoreline project designed to reduce erosion in the northwest corner of Shark River Island.   We will be planting marsh plants, repairing the bird deterrence, removing some invasive reeds, and cleaning up weed cloth from the berms. Additionally, we may plant various native shrubs and grasses. Dress to get wet and dirty!   This work is being coordinated by the Littoral Society as part of a Seaview Condo Association of Shark River/Neptune funded resiliency project. Resilient Schools Consortium Students Showcase Climate Change, Justice Projects at Coney Island Community Open House Friday, June 10 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Kaiser Park 2529 Neptune Avenue Brooklyn, NY (by the BBQ North area) Please Register   The National Wildlife Federation’s Resilient Schools Consortium (RiSC) program is hosting a community open house for students to showcase findings from projects addressing climate change, climate justice and resilience in the Coney Island community.   Students and their teachers from nine NYC public high school and middle schools have invested in using nature to help create more climate resilient solutions across the Coney Island shoreline. Wildwood High School in New Jersey has also adapted the RiSC program. This open house is an opportunity for the public to learn about the threats and impacts of climate change and how students are making a difference by connecting to communities and taking action.   Activities include remarks from special guests, a station where students will interview local residents about their experiences with extreme weather events, a “Postcards from the Future” activity, a beach grass planting demonstration and large photographic displays. Horseshoe Crab Walk Sunday, June 12 4:30 - 6 p.m. Meet at Lot B  Gateway National Recreation Area Sandy Hook Unit Highlands, NJ $10 members/ $20 non-members Registration Required   Join the American Littoral Society for an evening walk at Sandy Hook to learn about some of our oldest friends (they've been around, virtually unchanged, for more than 400 million years).   Watch your step as we walk along the sand and wade within the water as they will be crawling at your feet. Experience the excitement of holding one of these ancient creatures as the sun sets over the bay.   Contact Education Director, Nicole Haines for any questions     What the Shell!? Webinar Thursday, June 16 Noon - 1:30 p.m. Cost: pay what you can Zoom Link Will Be Sent after Registration Register Now     Do you ever wonder what the shells are that you see lying in the sand at the beach? There were once creatures inhabiting those shells, known as mollusks. Join the American Littoral Society for a webinar all about shells you can find along the NJ shore. We will talk about bivalves, univalves, their life cycles, why they are important to our environment, and much more! Pine Barrens Kayak Trip Friday, June 17 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. 1005 Atsion Rd Shamong, NJ $50 for members $60 for non-members Register Now Join the American Littoral Society and Pinelands Adventures for an exciting day on the tea-colored waters of the Pine Barrens! Your kayak trip begins on the Batsto River at Quaker Bridge about four miles into the Wharton State Forest from our location at Atsion Lake. The Batsto River is a narrow, winding Pine Barrens river with clean cool water and small areas to pull out for a break or picnic. You’ll end with a half mile paddle where the river opens into a lake formed by the dam at Batsto Village. Trip length is approximately 4-5 hours, based on the average trip length of beginner to intermediate paddlers out for a relaxing paddle. Time includes a 30-min lunch break!  *Changing river conditions such as weather, water levels, underwater obstacles and fallen trees can make this trip moderately challenging depending upon the paddler’s level of experience and physical condition. WHAT TO BRING: Wear shoes that can get wet (beach sandals or sneakers that can get wet), bring a change clothes and leave them in your car, lunch in a waterproof container, sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), bug repellent, re-usable water bottle and a dry bag if you have one. (they are available to rent). Cell phone placed in a resealable plastic bag and keep it securely on you. Lifejackets and transportation are provided to and from the kayak site. Volunteer Event - Rain Garden Planting Saturday, June 18 10 a.m. - Noon Cumberland County Library 800 E. Commerce Street Bridgeton, NJ Free, Register Now     Join us for a volunteer planting event in Cumberland County Library's new rain garden! The rain garden, installed in partnership with the American Littoral Society, will help filter stormwater runoff from the library property and adjacent roadways while providing vital habitat to native insects, birds, and other wildlife.     All necessary equipment will be provided. Participants should dress for the weather and wear closed-toe shoes, as well as sun and insect protection.  Volunteer Event - Remove Invasive Plants Wednesday, June 23 1 - 3 p.m. Giampietro Park 3231 E. Landis Avenue Vineland, NJ Free, Register Now   Join us to help us remove invasive vines from the riparian buffer, an area of young trees planted along the edge of the neighboring stream that filters stormwater runoff. Without proper maintenance and control, these vines can have devastating impacts on our native trees and shrubs!   Participants will also meet macro-invertebrates up close! These tiny insects live in the stream and help us monitor stream health. Delaware Bay Horseshoe Crab Tagging Select nights May 13-June 29 Free, Registration Required   The American Littoral Society is looking for volunteers to participate in our horseshoe crab tagging program along New Jersey’s Delaware Bayshore. Horseshoe crab tagging is a great way for volunteers of all ages to encounter these pre-historic looking creatures up close. No experience is required, beach captains will train all volunteers on site.   Interested in participating in the largest horseshoe crab tagging program in the Delaware Bay? There are limited spots and they do fill quickly, visit www.horseshoecrabtagging.org to register. Beauty in Unexpected Places Thursday, June 23 7 - 8:30 p.m. Camden County Parks Department 1301 Park Boulevard Cherry Hill, NJ Click here to RSVP   Camden County Board of Commissioners, Upstream Alliance, Haddonfield Environmental Commission and the Cherry Hill Environmental Board invite you to join Anand Varma, a world renowned photographer and National Geographic Explorer, who will present photographs from his travels around the world through the lens of beauty in unexpected places.   Anand will be co-leading a 6-day expedition, starting June 22, from the mouth of the Cooper River to its source along with Camden County Parks Director Maggie McCann and 6 Camden youth. The expedition team will explore the entire length of this hidden urban waterway for the first time in recorded history. FROM OUR DIRECTOR DEP Commissioner Visits Littoral Society Restoration Projects New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette recently visited the Littoral Society’s  horseshoe crab habitat restoration and climate resiliency projects along the Delaware River and Bayshore.   Littoral Society staff discussed with him the success of the projects in helping recover horseshoe crab populations and protect the federally threatened Red Knot. We also looked at our marsh restoration projects, which are designed to protect adjacent communities and to help fight climate change by sequestering carbon from the atmosphere.   In a tweet, LaTourette thanked Littoral Society staff and our Executive Director Tim Dillingham "for the tour, and more importantly, for bringing attention to and stewarding investments in our natural capital that enriches our ecosystems while building much-needed resilience in underserved parts of our state!" JOBS     2022 Summer Internship Opportunities The Littoral Society has two paid, part-time internships available to college students with environmental science, marine science, ecology, education or similar background may apply. Informal and/or formal education teaching experience preferred and a qualified individual must enjoy sharing their enthusiasm for the littoral zone with people from all age groups and walks of life. The internships will require the use of personal vehicle and laptop.   There are three internship positions available: one for Coastal Education, another for the Fish Tagging Program, and the third for Development - which will support the overall fundraising efforts of the American Littoral Society.   The Littoral Society offers compensation based upon experience and education and seeks someone who can begin work in mid-May 2022.   Click here for more information on the positions and how to apply. Summer Work Experience in NJ and NY The American Littoral Society is hiring high school and college students to participate in Restoration Corps, a summer work experience.   The R-Corps' mission is to provide training, education, and job skills for the next generation of environmental stewards, working outdoors and hands on in our local communities.   We have two programs, one at our Delaware Bay office (which primarily works in Cumberland County, NJ) and another at our Jamaica Bay office in New York.   This is a summer program which starts in late-May and goes to August. High school students have the option of starting later or joining after school if their schedules allow. Please begin your application via this online form.    Delaware Bay applicants can also send cover letter and resume to: z.nickerson@littoralsociety.org   Jamaica Bay applicants can also send cover letter and resume to: alexandra@littoralsociety.org SANDY HOOK NEWS "Nature at Your Door" Visits Sandy Hook We love Nature at Your Door, especially when it takes a look at shorebirds on Sandy Hook. In this video Frank Taylor explores the American Oystercatcher. Follow Frank and Nature at Your Door to learn more about the plants and animals that your might encounter in your backyard, neighborhood, local park or forest.   See More "Nature at Your Door" Videos NORTHEAST CHAPTER NEWS Glowing Review and Great Pictures from Littoral Society Trip to DelMarVa Don Riepe, the Littoral Society's Jamaica Bay Guardian, and Northeast Chapter staff received a glowing review from a participant on the Spring trip to Chincoteague and Assateague.   Sherry Felix wrote: We had a marvelous time. The weather was good and the company the best. You had so many experts along. I learned a lot. For the trip I had 90 species of birds and one lifer, the white ibis.    Thank you so much for all your hard work and making it such an excellent and memorable trip.   Click Here to See More of Sherry's Pictures DELAWARE BAY NEWS Littoral Society Staff Gathers on Delaware Bayshore for Annual Rite of Spring During the months of May and June, horseshoe crabs gather on Delaware Bayshore beaches by the thousands for an annual rite of spring that dates to the days of the dinosaurs. Like those ancient creatures, many of those who work for the Littoral Society gathered on one of those beaches last week.   But we were there for a staff meeting.   While many on the staff spend most days knee deep in restoration projects or talking to people about the work the Society does, we seldom have the opportunity to all come together in one place and see the fruit of that labor. As we frequently tell people who join us for volunteer events or come out for a Littoral activity, it's one thing to hear about caring for the coast and quite another to see or touch that work.   So more than a dozen of us (including our staff morale officer Manny) trekked from offices in Millville, NJ, Sandy Hook and New York's Jamaica Bay to Thompsons Beach in order to get our hands sandy and our feet wet (as well as a bit muddy) while taking a look at two of our restoration projects and tagging some Atlantic horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus).   Click Here to Read More Students Join Littoral Society Staff for Horseshoe Crab Tagging During last week's full moon, students and teachers from Ridge And Valley Charter School joined the American Littoral Society for a late night horseshoe crab tagging on Thompsons Beach along the Delaware Bay.   First, students gathered around to hear Conservation Coordinator, Zach Nickerson explain horseshoe crab anatomy and the features that have helped these living fossils thrive for over 400 million years. Then, students received a training on how to correctly and safely tag the animal so we can learn more about their population in the Delaware Bay.   Delaware Bay is home to the largest Atlantic horseshoe crab population in the world. The spawning season, mid May - mid June, is the only time horseshoe crabs come ashore.   The Littoral Society and other organizations tag horseshoe crabs to help determine populations and movement patterns. While the horseshoe crab is not currently endangered, harvesting and habitat destruction have sharply reduced horseshoe crab numbers from levels measured in the 1990s. They appear to be holding stable at this lower population level thanks in part to protections championed by the Society, but these numbers are too low to sustain the overall ecological role of the crabs in the system: to not only sustain themselves but to provide an abundance of eggs to support the shorebird.   The number of horseshoe crabs needs to be increased by changing fishing policies and restoring habitats - work that we are doing now. Join us!   Click Here to See More Pictures  RESTORATION PROGRAM NEWS Slade Dale Restoration Project Gets Spruced Up with Recycled Christmas Trees With the help of community and FEMACorps volunteers, the American Littoral Society moved the last of our recycled Christmas trees - collected and transported by Lacey Township - to the Slade Dale Restoration site. Participants joined us on the morning of Saturday, May 21 to help ferry the trees from shore to the breakwaters installed in Beaverdam Creek. Known as branchbox breakwaters, they are wooden structures designed to control erosion by using trees and brush to slow currents and waves, as well as capture the sediment being carried in the water.   Read More Toni Rose Explores NJ's Coast from Bay Point to Slade Dale My second week sure was busy. To kick things off, I went on my first solo adventure to take photos of a future restoration site in Bay Point. I drove over there with my phone, a Google Maps print-out, and checklist from Shane. As I approached the set location, I drove past one house- the only one left in the area. I continued further down the road around the bend, getting closer to the shoreline. I found a single house left in the water, which I later found out was effected by Hurricane Sandy.   It was a super windy day, with the waves crashing beside me. I got to a point where I could no longer drive the truck, because of rocks and piles of phragmites that had blown in from the recent Nor’easter.   Taking the rest of my trip on foot, I walked about a mile, stopping to take photos from north, east, south, and west vantage points.   Read More SAVE THE DATE Sunset Seining Returns in July Wednesday, July 6 Wednesday, July 20 6:00pm - 8:00pm American Littoral Society HQ Gateway National Recreation Area Sandy Hook Unit  GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands, NJ Pay What You Can Register for July 6 Register for July 20   Discover the diverse wildlife inhabiting our coast. After a short talk on the Society’s front porch, we 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. Contact: nicole.haines@littoralsociety.org for more information. Littoral Society in the News Students Learn Marine Science At Annual Summit SANDY HOOK - Over 400 students made their way to the Jersey Shore to learn marine environmental science at Clean Ocean Action’s Annual Spring Student Summit.   The Summit gives hands-on experience with students participating in six activities and 11 interactive field activities.   Students were on location at of the Gateway National Recreation Area – Sandy Hook Unit making the beach their outdoor classroom alongside the many trails and marshes. The event took place on May 25 and was the first in-person Student Summit in two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.   ...   Naturalists and other education professional, including from American Littoral Society, Gateway National Recreation Area Sandy Hook Unit New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and Shark Research Institute, guided students through 11 field activities throughout the park. Some students used seine nets to collect and identify common marine species of Sandy Hook Bay. Others learned about key bird species and the important role of Sandy Hook in bird migration.    Click here to read more at Jersey Shore Online Jamaica Bay Task Force Encourages Continued Growth “This is the best water clarity and quality we’ve seen in over 100 years in Jamaica Bay,” Jamaica Bay Task Force co-chairman Dan Mundy Sr. said at the group’s spring meeting this past Tuesday.   Riepe spoke of a “Refuge Manager Position” – to be stationed on site. Also, a “mowing plan, with timeframes and goals. The West Pond view shed is quickly disappearing,” he added.   Dan Mundy Jr. of the Jamaica Bay Ecowatcher’s spoke about Adjacent Sediment “Slurry” Enrichment Restoration Potentials for Jamaica Bay (essentially restoring marshes with slurry). He described this process as “not a replacement for marsh island building, but a maintenance program to stay ahead of complete wetland island collapse.”   “There are a lot of opportunities in Jamaica Bay for this type of process – slurry enrichment,” Mundy Jr. said. “And the cost is relatively low.” He specifically spoke of opportunities in the interior of the bay, as well as along the shorelines.   Click here to read more at The Wave 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 Lindsay McNamara at 732-291-0055 or info@littoralsociety.com.  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}}*

May Littoral News May 1, 2022   Fabulous Weather Highlights 7th Annual Littoral Society Lobster Run Participants in our 7th Annual Lobster Run 5K Run/Walk to Care for the Coast had a great day to soak up the sun, listen to The Attic play fun tunes, drink beer from Ross Brewing, and enjoy brunch from Langosta Lounge.  Nearly 300 people came out on Saturday, April 30 to show their support for protecting the coast we all love so much. Many others stopped by to say hello and ask about the work of the Littoral Society.   Since the Lobster Run began in 2015, the work of the Littoral Society has grown exponentially. We're cleaning up more beaches, restoring more shoreline, bringing more children to the coast, and working harder than ever to ensure lawmakers protect recreational fishing and access to beaches, while reducing the pollution harming our coastal waterways.  The involvement of Society members, volunteers, sponsors, our board and countless others has helped us build oyster reefs in Delaware Bay, run educational programs on Sandy Hook, and organize wildlife excursions around Jamaica Bay. The course for the race carried runners and walkers past sites where, with volunteer help, we've planted dune grass and restored a maritime forest.  So, thank you to everyone who came out for the Lobster Run and we hope to see you at many more Littoral Society events. Click Here for More Pictures and Video COMING UP Junior Ranger Angler Program at Sandy Hook, NJ The National Park Service and the American Littoral Society are partnering to teach young children how to fish. Inspired by the thrill of catching your first fish, the Junior Ranger Angler program encourages kids to enjoy the vast recreational opportunities of our national parks.   The initial event on Sandy Hook was held Wednesday, April 20 and everything went swimmingly, except that we forgot to catch any fish. Children in attendance learned the basics of casting, knot tying, lure/bait selection, and “reading” a beach.   The program is part of the National Park Service Junior Ranger program and encourages young people - age 11 and up, with a supervising adult - to earn their Junior Ranger patch and certificate by participating in a series of fishing activities in a national park and then sharing their experience with a park ranger.   Future events will be held on May 7, June 4 and July 18, with a short introduction at Littoral Society headquarters, followed by hands-on experience on a nearby beach. For more information or to make reservations, please call 732-872-5970 or go to the Junior Ranger Angler post below. Wingin' It: Spring Migration Bird Walks Saturday, May 7 6 - 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 17 8 - 10 a.m.  Meet at American Littoral Society HQ  GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands, NJ $10 for members, $20 for nonmembers Register for May 7 Register for May 17   Join “bird nerd” and Littoral Society Director of Development, Membership and Outreach Lindsay McNamara for a spring migration bird walk on the Hook. After meeting at Littoral Society Headquarters, we'll walk the paved multi-use pathway to Horseshoe Cove (about 1.5 miles) looking for seasonal bird visitors.   Please dress for the weather, wear closed-toe shoes, bring water and binoculars if you have them. The Society also has Nikon 8x42 binoculars for participants to borrow during the walk. Let’s get birdy!   Contact lindsay@littoralsociety.org with any questions. Jamaica Bay Task Force Meeting Tuesday, May 10 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Via Zoom   Tune in to a Zoom meeting and hear about the various projects and proposals for Jamaica Bay from US Army Corps of Engineers, the NY Department of Environmental Protection, Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers, Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, and the American Littoral Society. For detailed agenda e-mail: don@littoralsociety.org.    Among the topics on the agenda are:  A new management plan for the Jamaica Bay Refuge (via the Littoral Society's Don Riepe); a ribbed mussel study update; discussion of a living shoreline project; and a wetland restoration update.   To join Zoom Meeting, use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86101641850?pwd=bkt4Undua0JrTHJSQWpjMFB5Qm9kUT09.   Or, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID: 861 0164 1850 and password: 466509  Junior Ranger Angler Saturday May 7 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sandy Hook Unit Gateway National Recreation Area Highlands, NJ Free, Register here   The National Park Service and the American Littoral Society are partnering to teach young children how to fish. Join us for a day of surf fishing and instruction on the beach.     We will cover the basics of casting, knot tying, lure/bait selection, and “reading” a beach. All skill levels are welcome. Rods, reels, and tackle will be provided. Children ages 11 and up are welcome with a supervising adult.   Please register at the link NJDEP | NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program for the NJ Saltwater Fishing Registry, complete, print, and bring the form with you to the in-person program. Please bring your lunch and snacks. You can also call 732-872-5970 for more info or to make a reservation. Build a Rain Garden Webinar Create a Creek-friendly Yard   Wednesday, May 11 Sessions at Noon and 7 p.m. Virtual - Link Will Be Emailed After Registration Register for the Noon session. Register for the 7 p.m. session.   Join us for Rain Gardens 101 – a virtual workshop to learn more about rain gardens and how you can build one at home! When you attend, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up for a 30-minute consultation where you’ll work one-one one with a Rutgers landscape architect to plan a customized rain garden for your property.   Visit https://www.sjwatersavers.org/makeover/ for more information on the South Jersey Landscape Makeover Program. Rumson Environmental Commission Hosts Panel Discussion on the Benefits of Native Plants Wednesday, May 11 6 - 8 p.m. Rumson's Bingham Hall 40 Bingham Avenue Rumson, NJ Free, More Info   Join the Rumson Environmental Commission and American Littoral Society for a panel discussion on Going Native, which will focus on the benefits of bring native plants to your yard.   In addition to Littoral Society staff, the panel will include representatives from the Rumson Garden Club, NJ Audubon Society, Sickles Market, and Flower to the People. Delaware Bay Horseshoe Crab Tagging Select nights May 13-June 29 Free, Registration Required   The American Littoral Society is looking for volunteers to participate in our horseshoe crab tagging program along New Jersey’s Delaware Bayshore. Horseshoe crab tagging is a great way for volunteers of all ages to encounter these pre-historic looking creatures up close. No experience is required, beach captains will train all volunteers on site.   Interested in participating in the largest horseshoe crab tagging program in the Delaware Bay? There are limited spots and they do fill quickly, visit www.horseshoecrabtagging.org to register. Downe Township Horseshoe Crab Festival Saturday, May 14 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Fortescue State Street Downe, NJ Free, More Info   Stop by the Downe Township Horseshoe Crab Festival and say hello to the Littoral Society. We will be discussing our horseshoe crab tagging program and habitat restoration work.   The festival will be set up at multiple outdoor sites along Fortescue’s beautiful bayshore to entertain visitors with live music, games, educational exhibitors, artists, craftsman, eco tours, food vendors and many more activities.   The festival is in honor of the annual spectacle of the horseshoe crab spawning, which brings thousands of horseshoe crabs to New Jersey’s Delaware Bayshore. Downe Township, NJ, which is a certified horseshoe crab sanctuary, has been welcoming the largest numbers of crabs in the area for many years.   Festival attendees will have the opportunity to learn about how they can help horseshoe crabs and why they are so important to the endangered bird, the red knot, and to humans, too.   Jamaica Bay Spring Migration Bird Walk Saturday, May 14 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center 175-10 Cross Bay Blvd Queens, NY Free, Registration Required   Join Don Riepe, the Littoral Society's Jamaica Bay Guardian, for a hike around the ponds and gardens during the peak spring bird migration to look for the many species of warblers, tanagers, grosbeaks, shorebirds, and many other species that are making their way through the parks and natural areas of NYC.   Learn about bird behavior, migration and how to identify them in the field. This is a partnership program with NYC Audubon, the American Littoral Society, and the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy. Kids welcome. Free. For more info contact: don@littoralsociety.org Horseshoe Crab Walk Monday, May 16 6:30 - 8 p.m. Meet at: Lot B Sandy Hook Unit Gateway National Recreation Area $10 members/ $20 non-members Register Now   Join the American Littoral Society for an evening walk at Sandy Hook to learn about some of our oldest friends, 445 million years that is!!! Watch your step as we walk along the sand and wade within the water as they will be crawling at your feet. Experience the excitement of holding one of these ancient creatures as the sun sets over the bay.   Contact Littoral Society Education Director Nicole Haines with any questions: Nicole.Haines@littoralsociety.org. Slade Dale Volunteer Restoration Day Saturday, May 21 10 a.m. - Noon GPS: 2235 Sea Point Drive Point Pleasant, NJ Free, Registration Required   We need your help to fill the cribbings at our Slade Dale marsh restoration project with new branches and Christmas trees.   Located in New Jersey's Point Pleasant Borough, the Sanctuary’s pine-oak forest, hardwood swamp, and salt marsh provide a space of protected wilderness in an otherwise heavily developed coastal area of NJ. The salt marsh at Slade Dale helps protect uplands from flooding during storms. It also provides nursery habitat for fish, and foraging habitat for birds such as osprey, egrets, and bald eagles.   The shoreline has eroded approximately 300 feet since 1930, and almost all low marsh habitat has been lost. Our restoration project began in 2018 with the installation branchbox breakwaters and cribbing that could be packed with recycled trees in order to reduce the force of water flowing through the area and help retain sediment near the shoreline.    Please dress to get muddy and wet. We will have a limited supply of chest waders. We will also supply gloves. Please also bring water and a snack. Chincoteague / Assateague Weekend Thursday - Sunday May 19-22 Chincoteague, VA Cost: $595 person (double occupancy) $150 single supplement   Join the American Littoral Society for a Spring wildlife bonanza weekend along the Delmarva coast. Participants are likely to see nesting Bald Eagles, Osprey, migrating warblers, shorebirds, white and glossy Ibis, Herons, Egrets, Marbled Godwits, Clapper Rails, wild ponies with young of year, Delmarva fox squirrels, sika deer, red fox, and maybe an otter or two.      Cost includes three nights lodging at the lovely Refuge Inn, 3-hour boat tour of island, 2-hour Safari bus tour of backwater marshes, welcome seafood dinner at a local restaurant, evening programs and star watch, plus guided hikes at Chincoteague Refuge and Assateague National Seashore. On the way home we’ll stop at Bombay Hook Refuge to look for avocets, purple martins, bluebirds, and other wildlife.   The Inn has an indoor heated pool, jacuzzi, sauna, exercise room, conference room and sun/star observation deck. Breakfasts at Inn included in price. Chincoteague has great crab cakes, local oysters, fresh seafood, and the famous bumbleberry pie.   What to bring: Clothing for warm and cool weather including jacket (hat, gloves) for the boat ride, shorts/etc. for warm weather (it can be in 70’s), raincoat, binoculars, bathing suit, flashlight – and a sense of humor! 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 (917) 371-8577 e-mail: don@littoralsociety.org.  FROM OUR DIRECTOR NJ & NY Back Environmental Talk with Funding Committments The governors of New Jersey and New York demonstrated recently that they aren't simply talking about the environment but are willing to make significant financial commitments to address climate change and clean water issues.    With the creation of the Natural Climate Solution Grant Program, New Jersey becomes one of the first states to invest proceeds from Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auctions into natural resource restoration and enhancement projects.   In keeping with the global theme for this year’s Earth Week (Invest in Our Planet), NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) announced the launch of the Natural Climate Solutions Grant Program, a blue and green carbon grant program that is providing $15 million for projects that create, restore and enhance salt marshes, sea grass beds, forests and urban parks to sequester atmospheric carbon in the fight against climate change.    Almost simultaneously, New York announced new and strengthened protections for wetlands.   Gov. Kathy Hochul released her first Executive Budget, and the biggest wins were for the inclusion of reforms to the Freshwater Wetlands Regulatory Program and a proposal to raise the Environmental Protect Fund to $400 million — which is a $100 million increase from the current appropriation.    "We have long been advocates for protecting and restoring tidal wetlands, as well as restoring the capacity of habitats to sequester carbon in the fight against climate change," said Tim Dillingham, Executive Director of the American Littoral Society.   Read More Littoral Society Director Talks Coastal Conservation at Long Branch Library On April 7, the Long Branch Library's hosted American Littoral Society Executive Director Tim Dillingham for a discussion of coastal conservation projects. The evening was presented by Art for Sea.  MARINE NEWS Learn about the destructive nature of lionfish and their effect on the underwater marine world through a flipbook from Lionfish Divers. Click here to read more JOBS     2022 Summer Internship Opportunities The Littoral Society has two paid, part-time internships available to college students with environmental science, marine science, ecology, education or similar background may apply. Informal and/or formal education teaching experience preferred and a qualified individual must enjoy sharing their enthusiasm for the littoral zone with people from all age groups and walks of life. The internships will require the use of personal vehicle and laptop.   There are two positions available: one for Coastal Education and the other for the Fish Tagging Program.   The Littoral Society offers compensation based upon experience and education and seeks someone who can begin work in mid-May 2022.   Click here for more information on the positions and how to apply. Summer Work Experience in NJ and NY The American Littoral Society is hiring high school and college students to participate in Restoration Corps, a summer work experience.   The R-Corps' mission is to provide training, education, and job skills for the next generation of environmental stewards, working outdoors and hands on in our local communities.   We have two programs, one at our Delaware Bay office (which primarily works in Cumberland County, NJ) and another at our Jamaica Bay office in New York.   This is a summer program which starts in late-May and goes to August. High school students have the option of starting later or joining after school if their schedules allow. Please begin your application via this online form.    Delaware Bay applicants can also send cover letter and resume to: z.nickerson@littoralsociety.org   Jamaica Bay applicants can also send cover letter and resume to: alexandra@littoralsociety.org