Join the American Littoral Society for a presentation on a topic of your choice.
Since 1961 we have empowered people to care for the coast through advocacy, conservation, and education. We not only provide a voice for the coast, but give concerned community members the knowledge and tools they need to raise their voices with us. Our staff loves to share inspiring stories of our work to protect the shoreline through virtual or in-person presentations.
To book your presentation or for more information, please reach out to Education Director Michelle Rebilas at [email protected].
Explore the topics listed below -- please note that specific dates will depend on the availability of each speaker.
To book your presentation or for more information, please reach out to Education Director Michelle Rebilas at [email protected].
Explore the topics listed below -- please note that specific dates will depend on the availability of each speaker.
GROUPS CAN CHOOSE FROM A SELECTION OF TOPICS IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:
ecology
Winter Waterfowl and Seals
Michelle Rebilas, Education Director
Join the American Littoral Society for a presentation all about our local winter waterfowl and seal friends. We will look at the different species, characteristics of them, where to spot them and identifying features. We will also go over where we typically look for these species around sandy hook when we have our walks in person.
Interrupting Moonlight Mating for Science
Shane Godshall, Habitat Restoration Manager
Every May and June, millions of unassuming Atlantic horseshoe crabs, driven by eons of evolution, make their way to the sandy beaches of the Delaware Bay to spawn. As the nighttime tide comes in, beaches along the bay come alive with amorous horseshoe crabs looking for a chance to reproduce. It is during these annual “lovemaking” events that we get a chance to monitor this unique keystone species. The American Littoral Society spends many moonlit nights each year counting and tagging horseshoe crabs with the help of some very motivated volunteers. Over the last ten years, the Society has brought hundreds of volunteers out to the bay to count and tag thousands of horseshoe crabs. Our volunteer horseshoe crab tagging program helps us to better understand beach use by crabs, educate the public, and, hopefully, grow the ranks of an unofficial horseshoe crab fan club.
What the Shell? Mollusks of the Jersey Shore
Michelle Rebilas, Education Director
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 Audrey Litto for a presentation all about the shells you can find along the New Jersey shore. We will talk about bivalves, univalves, their life cycles, why they are important to our environment, and much more!
Late nights, Living fossils, and Lots of eggs: A Look into Horseshoe Crabs
Toni Rose Tablante, Habitat Restoration Technician
Let's explore the life history, anatomy, and ecological importance of horseshoe crabs. We will then discuss what the American Littoral Society does to monitor horseshoe crabs, such as tagging.
The Importance of Dunes to Coastal Ecology and Community Resilience
Michelle Rebilas, Education Director
Join the American Littoral Society for a presentation focused on coastal ecology. We will discuss the important role dunes play along our coast, a very impactful species of beach grass and how to better protect your shore-based towns.
Critters, Creeks, and Coasts
Michelle Rebilas, Education Director
From freshwater streams to the beaches of the Delaware Bay, South Jersey is a region of unique habitats and biodiversity. Explore the incredible creatures that can be found at the bottom of a stream, under the leaves of a milkweed plant, or in-between the crevices of an oyster reef. Learn how the American Littoral Society works to create and restore habitat for native wildlife and how you can get involved.
Fish Tagging Program
Emily McGuckin, Fish Tagging Program Director
Learn about the history of the American Littoral Society Fish Tagging Program and find out what we’re doing more than 50 years later to help improve the health of our global fisheries. Find out how and why our anglers tag fish and what we do with the data.
Michelle Rebilas, Education Director
Join the American Littoral Society for a presentation all about our local winter waterfowl and seal friends. We will look at the different species, characteristics of them, where to spot them and identifying features. We will also go over where we typically look for these species around sandy hook when we have our walks in person.
Interrupting Moonlight Mating for Science
Shane Godshall, Habitat Restoration Manager
Every May and June, millions of unassuming Atlantic horseshoe crabs, driven by eons of evolution, make their way to the sandy beaches of the Delaware Bay to spawn. As the nighttime tide comes in, beaches along the bay come alive with amorous horseshoe crabs looking for a chance to reproduce. It is during these annual “lovemaking” events that we get a chance to monitor this unique keystone species. The American Littoral Society spends many moonlit nights each year counting and tagging horseshoe crabs with the help of some very motivated volunteers. Over the last ten years, the Society has brought hundreds of volunteers out to the bay to count and tag thousands of horseshoe crabs. Our volunteer horseshoe crab tagging program helps us to better understand beach use by crabs, educate the public, and, hopefully, grow the ranks of an unofficial horseshoe crab fan club.
What the Shell? Mollusks of the Jersey Shore
Michelle Rebilas, Education Director
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 Audrey Litto for a presentation all about the shells you can find along the New Jersey shore. We will talk about bivalves, univalves, their life cycles, why they are important to our environment, and much more!
Late nights, Living fossils, and Lots of eggs: A Look into Horseshoe Crabs
Toni Rose Tablante, Habitat Restoration Technician
Let's explore the life history, anatomy, and ecological importance of horseshoe crabs. We will then discuss what the American Littoral Society does to monitor horseshoe crabs, such as tagging.
The Importance of Dunes to Coastal Ecology and Community Resilience
Michelle Rebilas, Education Director
Join the American Littoral Society for a presentation focused on coastal ecology. We will discuss the important role dunes play along our coast, a very impactful species of beach grass and how to better protect your shore-based towns.
Critters, Creeks, and Coasts
Michelle Rebilas, Education Director
From freshwater streams to the beaches of the Delaware Bay, South Jersey is a region of unique habitats and biodiversity. Explore the incredible creatures that can be found at the bottom of a stream, under the leaves of a milkweed plant, or in-between the crevices of an oyster reef. Learn how the American Littoral Society works to create and restore habitat for native wildlife and how you can get involved.
Fish Tagging Program
Emily McGuckin, Fish Tagging Program Director
Learn about the history of the American Littoral Society Fish Tagging Program and find out what we’re doing more than 50 years later to help improve the health of our global fisheries. Find out how and why our anglers tag fish and what we do with the data.
restoration
What is Habitat Restoration?
Captain Alek Modjeski, Habitat Restoration Director
Capt. Al will discuss what habitat restoration is, why the Society does it, and why it is important. He will also provide some case studies to include restoration in Delaware Bay, Barnegat Bay, and Monmouth County.
Restoring Wreck Pond Inlet
Zack Royle, Habitat Restoration Manager
Learn about a project designed to mitigate flooding, improve water quality, and facilitate better access into and out of Wreck Pond for fishes that are of special concern in NJ.
Creating Community Spaces with Habitat Restoration
Shane Godshall, Habitat Restoration Manager
Find out at about a project in the township of Hopewell, New Jersey (Cumberland County) that created a budding centrally located park and habitat for pollinators and grassland birds.
Captain Alek Modjeski, Habitat Restoration Director
Capt. Al will discuss what habitat restoration is, why the Society does it, and why it is important. He will also provide some case studies to include restoration in Delaware Bay, Barnegat Bay, and Monmouth County.
Restoring Wreck Pond Inlet
Zack Royle, Habitat Restoration Manager
Learn about a project designed to mitigate flooding, improve water quality, and facilitate better access into and out of Wreck Pond for fishes that are of special concern in NJ.
Creating Community Spaces with Habitat Restoration
Shane Godshall, Habitat Restoration Manager
Find out at about a project in the township of Hopewell, New Jersey (Cumberland County) that created a budding centrally located park and habitat for pollinators and grassland birds.
advocacy
Creating a Fishable, Swimmable Delaware River
Tim Dillingham, Executive Director
Developing a “roadmap to clean water” on the Delaware River, supporting the search for justice, jobs and clean water.
Preserving Public Access to the Coast
Tim Dillingham, Executive Director
Protecting the public trust doctrine and the public’s right of access to beaches and tidal waters in New Jersey.
Tim Dillingham, Executive Director
Developing a “roadmap to clean water” on the Delaware River, supporting the search for justice, jobs and clean water.
Preserving Public Access to the Coast
Tim Dillingham, Executive Director
Protecting the public trust doctrine and the public’s right of access to beaches and tidal waters in New Jersey.
what you can do
Zero Waste Workshop
Michelle Rebilas, Education Director
Join usr for a webinar that will cover ways to lessen your waste. In this workshop we will go over pollution facts, easy switches, how to complete a trash audit, microfibers, fast fashion, and more.
Rain Gardens, Can you Dig it?
Lucia Osborne, Delaware Bay Program Director
Rain gardens are a nature-based solution to localized flooding, nonpoint source pollution, and stream bank erosion. Learn how you can use your own back yard to support local ecosystems and water quality in your neighborhood.
Better Backyards: Conserving Water at Home
Zach Nickerson, Conservation Coordinator
There are so many ways that we can be more water efficient in our homes, in the backyard, at school, and at work. Learn how to perform a basic water audit to identify areas for improvement, gardening, and yard tips, what to look for in new appliances, and rainwater harvesting.
Gardening for Joy: An Introduction to Native Plant Gardening,
Lucia Osborne, Delaware Bay Program Director
Explore the benefits of gardening for the mind, body, and planet Earth! Learn how planting a garden or any green space at home can create habitat, conserve water, and provide health and wellness benefits all year round. Learn how to incorporate NJ native plants that will be low maintenance, require less water, and support pollinators and other wildlife. We’ll also hear about rain gardens and how they can be installed in your yard to help control flooding and filter stormwater runoff before it enters your streams and ground water.
Michelle Rebilas, Education Director
Join usr for a webinar that will cover ways to lessen your waste. In this workshop we will go over pollution facts, easy switches, how to complete a trash audit, microfibers, fast fashion, and more.
Rain Gardens, Can you Dig it?
Lucia Osborne, Delaware Bay Program Director
Rain gardens are a nature-based solution to localized flooding, nonpoint source pollution, and stream bank erosion. Learn how you can use your own back yard to support local ecosystems and water quality in your neighborhood.
Better Backyards: Conserving Water at Home
Zach Nickerson, Conservation Coordinator
There are so many ways that we can be more water efficient in our homes, in the backyard, at school, and at work. Learn how to perform a basic water audit to identify areas for improvement, gardening, and yard tips, what to look for in new appliances, and rainwater harvesting.
Gardening for Joy: An Introduction to Native Plant Gardening,
Lucia Osborne, Delaware Bay Program Director
Explore the benefits of gardening for the mind, body, and planet Earth! Learn how planting a garden or any green space at home can create habitat, conserve water, and provide health and wellness benefits all year round. Learn how to incorporate NJ native plants that will be low maintenance, require less water, and support pollinators and other wildlife. We’ll also hear about rain gardens and how they can be installed in your yard to help control flooding and filter stormwater runoff before it enters your streams and ground water.
A minimum $250 honorarium to American Littoral Society is requested for staff time and travel. Under certain circumstances, price adjustments may be offered.
Corporate Lunch & Learns
Any topic can be customized for a lunch and learn to engage your company's team in our work.
Corporate Lunch & Learns
Any topic can be customized for a lunch and learn to engage your company's team in our work.
To book your presentation or for more information, please reach out to
Education Director Michelle Rebilas at [email protected].
Education Director Michelle Rebilas at [email protected].
