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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.
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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.
Pine Barrens Kayak Trip Friday, June 17
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
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.
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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. Show Your Support with Littoral Society Gear There are more ways than ever to show your support for the American Littoral Society. Now available at the Society online store are short-sleeve t-shirts in multiple designs/colors, as well as long-sleeve t's and baseball caps with the Society's name and/or logo.
More Littoral Merch Available at Bonfire You can support the Littoral Society by purchasing our official merchandise through our store on Bonfire.com. All proceeds support coastal conservation!
Bonfire is a free online platform where anyone can design, sell, and buy custom products. We handle payment processing, order fulfillment, and customer service so you can focus on connecting with your community.
Remember the Coast Make sure that our coast remains a home for the coastal wildlife you love. A bequest to the American Littoral Society is a generous and straightforward way to care for the coast. This can be expressed in a will as simply as, “I bequeath [a sum of money, a percentage of my estate, or an IRA, life insurance policy, or investment/bank account] to the American Littoral Society, 18 Hartshorne Drive, Suite 1, Highlands, NJ 07732.”
Consult with your attorney to determine what is best for your situation.
To learn more about planning a gift for the Society, contact Director of Development 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.
Our Contact Information
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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.
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
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
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.
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. "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.
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.
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
NORTHEAST CHAPTER NEWS Volunteers Return to Jamaica Bay for Earth Day Cleanup On Sunday, April 24, 2022, the WeLoveU Foundation revisited Jamaica Bay in Queens, NY, in honor of Earth Day. The group partnered with the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and the American Littoral Society to fulfill Earth Day’s theme, “Invest in Our Planet.” The theme fits WeLoveU’s efforts at Jamaica Bay as the group has been cleaning the bay for more than ten years with longtime partner Don Riepe, Littoral Society Jamaica Bay Guardian.
About 60 volunteers took time out of their day to make a difference. To clean the bay efficiently, they focused on collecting plastic and glass bottles, broken chairs, and other debris along the beach. In total, the WeLoveU volunteers collected 50 bags of trash weighing 1,150 pounds. While cleaning, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato stopped by to show her support. She said, “I think that’s what your group is about; I think your kindness matters.”
DELAWARE BAY NEWS Delaware Bay Team Celebrates Arbor Day On April 29, the 150th Anniversary of Arbor Day, the Littoral Society's Delaware Bay staff celebrated with 6th and 8th grade students from Indian Ave School by helping take care of some young trees in a riparian buffer and install new plants in the rain gardens on the school campus.
A riparian buffer is an area adjacent to a stream, lake, or wetland that contains a combination of trees, shrubs, and/or other perennial plants. Riparian buffers deliver many benefits including filtering nutrients, pesticides, animal waste, and sediment from runoff before it enters the waterway. They also help to stabilize eroding banks, provide shade, shelter, and food for wildlife.
Vineland 4th Graders Plant Rain Gardens Fourth grade students from Anthony Rossi Elementary School in Vineland joined our Delaware Bayshore team for a Spring clean-up and planting in the two rain gardens in front of their school.
Students first learned all about how rain gardens filled with native plants filter stormwater and provide habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. Next, students got their hands dirty removing leaves, weeding, and planting.
Shorebird Stewards Needed for NJ's Delaware Bay Beaches During the month of May, shorebirds make an incredible trek from South America to the Canadian Arctic with one critical stop – the Delaware Bay. Shorebirds, including the federally-listed endangered Red Knot, will spend just a few short weeks on bay beaches, where they will feast on horseshoe crab eggs that will give them enough energy to continue their migration.
EDUCATION NEWS Volunteers Plant Dune Grass on Asbury Park's New Dog Beach Dozens of volunteers came out on Saturday, April 23 to help plant dune grass at the north end of Asbury Park, NJ as part of the Littoral Society's celebration of Earth Month.
The planting will help improve the area on the beach side of the town's recently installed parking area for Bradley Cove and the dog beach.
OPERATION OYSTER NEWS Volunteers Needed For Littoral Society Shell Recycling Program Want to get involved with an awesome non-profit organization in order to defend the coast we love and promote the community you live in? Then volunteer with the Littoral Society’s “Shuck It, Don’t Chuck It!” shell recycling program.
Volunteers not only ensure the continuation and success of conservation efforts, but also represent the Society and these efforts, educate and empower others, and help spread the reach of our programs to new audiences.
Volunteers are also advocates for the coast and its inhabitants that can't speak for themselves. The shell recycling program promotes local aquaculture and local small businesses, while also restoring coastal environments and creating habitat for marine organisms.
Volunteer Qualifications
No prior volunteer or job experience required.
Be On the Lookout for the Operation Oyster Truck While it doesn't yet look the part, the Operation Oyster truck has arrived. Soon it will be tricked out with a yellow wrap and program logos, so that it will be recognizable as it helps expand our "Shuck It, Don't Chuck It!" shell recycling efforts to additional restaurants in the Two Rivers Area.
The "Shuck It Don't Chuck It!" Shell Recycling Program is a win-win for oyster lovers, businesses and the bay's waters. It recycles oyster shell from local restaurants and returns to the water where it provides a foundation for new oysters.
Oyster reefs also provide homes for other marine life and protect sensitive shorelines. Historically, they populated our coastal waters, but pollution, disease and over-harvesting have destroyed these essential creatures of the marine ecosystem. Our program returns the shell to the bays for cleaner water, a healthier environment and more oysters on our plates.
Learn more about the Shell Recycling Program and Participating Restaurants
RESTORATION PROGRAM NEWS Slade Dale Restoration Project Gets Spruced Up with Recycled Christmas Trees Volunteers and Littoral Society staff came together on Saturday, April 23 to do routine maintenance on the restoration project at Slade Dale Nature Sanctuary in Point Pleasant, NJ by adding recycled Christmas trees to the existing branchbox breakwaters.
Introducing Toni Rose Explores the Delaware Bayshore Hello everyone! It’s Toni Rose and I am the American Littoral Society’s new Habitat Restoration Technician for the Delaware Bayshore. I thought it might be fun to share my adventures with you as I explore the Bayshore and learn more about the area, so here it goes.
FISH TAGGING PROGRAM NEWS The Tagger Spotlight is Lou Bleiler! Check out his tagging stats! If you’re interested in being our next Spotlight, please let us know!
Click here to learn more about the Littoral Society Fish Tagging Program.
SANDY HOOK NEWS Local Brewer Makes Oyster Beer to Benefit Littoral Society John Ross Cocozza of Ross Brewing is making Oystout, a beer made with oysters, with part of the proceeds to go to the American Littoral Society, which is trying to reintroduce oysters to the Sandy Hook bayshore's waters.
"Through generations of farming and all of us enjoying the oysters, those have really been brought down. Their project, restoring oyster beds -- we knew we had to get involved." SAVE THE DATE Save the Date for Members Day 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.
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
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.
Women Only! Surf Fishing Clinic DATE CHANGE: Sunday, June 5 8 a.m. - 1 pm Meet at Littoral Society Headquarters GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands NJ $30 Members $75 Non-members
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. Volunteer Event - Remove Invasive Plants Wednesday, June 8 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.
Two Rivers Eco-fest Saturday, June 4 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Victory Park 1 Lafayette Street Rumson, NJ Free, More Info
Join the Littoral Society at the Two Rivers Eco-fest. Hosted by Clean Ocean Action and the Rumson Environmental Commission, this free, family-friendly event is an environmental celebration of the Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers.
Fun and engaging activities at the Eco-Fest, provided by Rally for the Two Rivers partners, include seining, eco-friendly crafts, hands-on educational demonstrations, face painting, music, and more! Participate in as many activities as possible to complete the Passport Challenge and unlock special rewards from local businesses, including free treats and big discounts! Volunteer Event - Remove Invasive Plants Wednesday, June 8 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.
Littoral Society in the News NJ Oysters And Beer, Perfect Together? Brewer Thinks So Ross Brewing's Oystout, brewed with oysters, supports the American Littoral Society's oyster restoration. No, it doesn't taste like oysters.
MIDDLETOWN, NJ — In John Ross Coccozza's world, water is central to much of what he does. He and his family live on the Shrewsbury River and love to spend time swimming, boating and sailing.
Water also is critical to his hobby-turned-business of brewing beer, as the main ingredient needed to produce each brew. So it only seemed natural for his company, Ross Brewing, to collaborate with the American Littoral Society to support Operation Oyster, the society's efforts to rebuild oyster reefs in the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers.
The idea arose at an event at Sandy Hook, when he mentioned to a couple of Littoral Society staff members that he was planning to open a brewery.
"We like craft beer," they told him. As they talked about the oyster restoration project, he realized he wanted to be involved.
Click here to read more at Patch Clean Water, Healthy Families, Good Jobs Commissioner LaTourette’s Testimony to the Senate Budget Committee Trenton, NJ – The Clean Water, Healthy Families, Good Jobs Campaign released the following statement on DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette’s testimony to the Senate Budget Committee.
“DEP Commissioner LaTourette testified yesterday to New Jersey’s significant water infrastructure needs–$30 billion in total–in front of the Senate Budget Committee. We thank the Commissioner for his eyes-wide-open assessment of New Jersey’s total need and agree that sustained investment is needed.
We also applaud Commissioner LaTourette for recognizing that funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law isn’t enough. We, in the Commissioner’s words, “have an overwhelming need” when it comes to drinking water infrastructure. Clearly recognizing New Jersey’s water infrastructure needs is a crucial first step.
Looking at the next five years, New Jersey is facing a $6 billion clean water funding gap. That’s why we’re calling on Governor Murphy and the State Legislature to use $1.2 billion from remaining American Rescue Plan funds to expand water infrastructure funding.
Click here to read more at Insider NJ
Members of the Clean Water, Healthy Families, Good Jobs Campaign call for expanded water infrastructure funding during Senate budget hearing Trenton, NJ – Members of the Clean Water, Healthy Families, Good Jobs Campaign testified in front of the Senate Budget Committee urging the State Legislature and the Murphy Administration to prioritize expanded investment in water infrastructure using remaining American Rescue Plan funds.
Tim Dillingham of the American Littoral Society highlighted the broad-based coalition that is a part of the Clean Water, Healthy Families, Good Jobs Campaign. “The Clean Water, Healthy Families, Good Jobs campaign includes labor, environmental organizations and business groups, all calling for expanding investment in water infrastructure. So, I think it’s a really strong indicator of the rightness of an issue when all these different sectors come together around a common agenda. Clean water is crucial in New Jersey’s economy, its health and its quality of life.” Dillingham went on, “We’d like to urge the legislature to prioritize the funding for the remediation of combined sewer overflows and flooding in environmental justice communities, particularly along the Delaware–cities such as Camden, Gloucester City and Trenton. Making these investments has the benefit of good jobs, contributing to the economy and making New Jersey healthier.”
Click here to read more at Insider NJ
JOIN US Membership, Renew or Join Today! Your loyalty and support enable us to continue to protect and care for the coast. Your membership supports marine science education programs for thousands of students, protecting and restoring marine life and habitat, and our efforts to defend the coast from harm. Show Your Support with Littoral Society Gear There are more ways than ever to show your support for the American Littoral Society. Now available at the Society online store are short-sleeve t-shirts in multiple designs/colors, as well as long-sleeve t's and baseball caps with the Society's name and/or logo.
More Littoral Merch Available at Bonfire You can support the Littoral Society by purchasing our official merchandise through our store on Bonfire.com. All proceeds support coastal conservation!
Bonfire is a free online platform where anyone can design, sell, and buy custom products. We handle payment processing, order fulfillment, and customer service so you can focus on connecting with your community.
Remember the Coast Make sure that our coast remains a home for the coastal wildlife you love. A bequest to the American Littoral Society is a generous and straightforward way to care for the coast. This can be expressed in a will as simply as, “I bequeath [a sum of money, a percentage of my estate, or an IRA, life insurance policy, or investment/bank account] to the American Littoral Society, 18 Hartshorne Drive, Suite 1, Highlands, NJ 07732.”
Consult with your attorney to determine what is best for your situation.
To learn more about planning a gift for the Society, contact Director of Development 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.
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April Littoral News April 1, 2022 Celebrate Earth Day with Walks, Talks and Volunteer Opportunities At the Littoral Society, we've got so much going on for Earth Day that we couldn't fit it into a single day. So, if you'd like to show some love for the planet that sustains us, please join us at one of our upcoming events in New York and New Jersey.
In addition to hikes, talks and volunteer opportunities, we'll also be hosting an Instagram challenge focused on how you can celebrate Earth Day, while also helping Mother Earth. Jump to the next article for more info our Instagram #LittorallyEarthMonth Challenge or check out the post on Instagram!
While Earth Day is officially Friday, April 22, we're kicking it off on Thursday, April 21 with a partnership event at Cumberland County Library in Bridgeton, NJ. Participants in the Native Plant Gardening Workshop will learn how to beautify their homes while conserving water and providing vital wildlife habitat. Click here to learn more about the workshop and register.
Rockville Center's Molloy College will be hosting a Virtual Earth Day Symposium and Long Island Eco-Summit on Friday, April 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Don Riepe, the Littoral Society's Jamaica Bay Guardian and long-time director of the Society's Northeast Chapter, will be among the speakers. Riepe will speak at 10 a.m. about Long Island’s Amazing Natural Resource Productivity and Biodiversity.
Riepe will also lead a hike around the ponds and gardens of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, April 23. Participants will look for warblers, tanagers, herons, ibis, and many other bird species that are arriving in NYC, while also learning about migration and managing habitats for bird species. The walk is free and kid-friendly, please register so that we have an idea how many people to expect.
For those who want to get their hands in the sand, there will be volunteer work opportunities on Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23.
On Friday from 1 - 3 p.m., the Littoral Society will be planting dune grass on the beach at Pierces Point, which is located at End of Beach Avenue, in Cape May Court House. Please register to participate in this event. The registration site will also provide additional information about the event.
We will also be planting dune grass in Asbury Park at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The gathering location has yet to be determined, so please register so that we can send you event updates. You can also find additional information on the registration page.
Finally, we will complete Saturday's activities with work at our Slade Dale Marsh Restoration site, in Point Pleasant, NJ. Participants will help from 2-4 p.m. with filling our cribbings and branchbox breakwaters with new branches and Christmas trees. Please register to participate. The registration site will also provide additional information about the event.
You can find more information about these and other upcoming events in the rest of the newsletter.
Join in with the Littoral Society Earth Month Challenge Join the American Littoral Society in our #LittorallyEarthMonth CHALLENGE on Instagram. Click here for details on how you score points, win swag and join in the fun throughout the month of April!
To receive points, share a picture of the Earth friendly action being done and be sure to tag us @littoralsociety. Include this hashtag in your post: #LittorallyEarthMonth. For instance, liking our Earth Month Challenge post on Instagram is worth 1 point. Power up those points by doing things such as renewing your Littoral Society membership (3 points) or eating at a participating shell-recycling restaurant (5 points). Snap a pic, post it on Instagram with the hashtag and @littoralsociety tag, then start leveling-up those points.
Top point collector(s) will get a chance to win: Cool swag, free (or discounted) tickets to our events, Littoral Society merch, reusable cutlery, Stasher Bags, or even a fun day with one of our knowledgeable Littoral Society staff.
Other examples of actions:
COMING UP Interactive Discussion with the Littoral Society's Tim Dillingham Thursday, April 7 6 - 8 p.m. Long Branch Public Library 328 Broadway Long Branch, NJ Free
Join Littoral Society Executive Director Tim Dillingham for an interactive discussion on Caring for the Coast in a Time of Changing Climate.
In addition to talking about the Littoral Society's restoration work, Tim will also focus on: * The health of New Jersey's shoreline;and * Coastal climate adaptation
How is NJ addressing Climate Change? Tuesday, April 5 6 - 8 p.m. Bradley Beach Public Library 511 Fourth Avenue Bradley Beach, NJ
Hear from organizations Clean Ocean Action, the Littoral Society's Capt. Al Modjeski, and Bradley Beach's John Weber on how New Jersey is preparing for climate change. There will be time for questions from the audience.
This is an indoor program and space is limited, so registration is required. This program is part of the One Beach One Read Community Read series of "The High House" by Jessie Greengrass. Learn more at http://www.bradleybeachlibrary.org/index.htm. Build a Rain Garden Webinar Wednesday, April 6 Two Webinars: Noon & 7 p.m. Register for the Noon session Register for the 7 p.m. session Free
Are you interested in creating a creek-friendly yard? Join us for a 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.
Participants who build a rain garden as part of this program may be eligible for a rebate of $3/square foot up to $450, or help from Rutgers with installation. Rebate availability may vary. Qualifying homeowners are residents of the following areas: 08332, 08361, 08360, 08320, 08310, 08323, 08353, 08098, 08043, 08048, 08055, 08068, 08088, and 08318.
Workshops as part of the Landscape Makeover Program are open to all, regardless of rebate eligibility.
Wingin' It: Spring Migration Bird Walks Wednesday, April 6 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 16 Noon - 2 p.m. Meet at American Littoral Society HQ GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands, NJ $10 for members, $20 for nonmembers
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. Dune Grass Planting - Cape May Friday, April 22 1 - 3 p.m. Pierces Point (at End of Beach Avenue) Cape May Court House, NJ (map) Free, Registration Required
Celebrate Earth Day with the American Littoral Society by planting dune grass on the beach in Delaware Bay!
Planting dune grass creates a more resilient beach berm and helps prevent erosion of critical horseshoe crab spawning and bird foraging beaches.
The easiest way to plant dune grasses is to create a hole in the sand with a broom handle. If you have a broom or something with similar handle, please bring it to the event. Please also bring gloves and a small shovel or trowel if you have them. We have a limited supply. Dress for the weather, this event is rain or shine.
Virtual Earth Day Symposium and Long Island Eco-Summit Friday, April 22 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. From Molloy College Center for Environmental Research and Coastal Oceans Monitoring Via Zoom, link sent after registration
Don Riepe, Jamaica Bay Guardian and long-time director of the Littoral Society's Northeast Chapter, will be among the speakers at Molloy College's Virtual Earth Day Symposium and Long Island Eco-Summit.
An open fact-based forum on Long Island’s environmental issues, the eco-summit will present an important collection of observations by practicing scientists and authoritative conservationists regarding Long Island’s ecological resiliency from the tip of Brooklyn to the tip of Montauk.
At 10 a.m., Riepe will speak about Long Island’s Amazing Natural Resource Productivity and Biodiversity. Other speakers will include Gotham Whale's Paul Sieswerda on Fisheries Supporting Endangered Whale Species; Kevin McAllister of Defend H2O on Sand, Seawalls and Sea Level Rise; and Steve Papa, Ecological Services Field Station US Fish & Wildlife Services on Endangered Specie.
Other speakers will focus on topics such as Conservation of Horseshoe Crabs in New York; Long Island Hurricane Risk; wastewater and nitrogen; and wetland protection.
Register for as many talks as you like. Zoom Link will be sent at registration. For more information contact Regina Gorney at rgorney@molloy.edu or Kyle Maurelli at kmaurelli@molloy.edu
Slade Dale Volunteer Restoration Day Saturday, April 23 2 - 4 p.m. 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. Dune Grass Planting - Asbury Park Saturday, April 23 10 a.m. - Noon Asbury Park, NJ Precise Location TBA Register to attend and receive event updates
Join the Littoral Society to plant American beach grass in celebration of Earth Day! We will also hear a brief talk on the important of dunes in our coastal ecosystems.
The planting will take place in Asbury Park, NJ at a site that will be announced in the near future. Your registration will enable us to inform you of location as soon as we have it.
Bring gloves and a small shovel if you have them! We have a limited supply of both. Contact Littoral Society Education Director Nicole Haines for any questions: Nicole.Haines@littoralsociety.org.
Spring Bird Migration Hike Saturday, April 23 10 am - Noon Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center 175-10 Cross Bay Blvd Queens, NY Free, Click to Register
Join Littoral Society naturalist Don Riepe for a hike around the ponds and gardens of the refuge to look for warblers, tanagers, herons, ibis, and many other bird species as they arrive in NYC. Learn about migration and managing habitats for bird species.
Kids welcome. This is a partnership program with Jamaica Bay - Rockaway Parks Conservancy. Free.
Earth Day Shoreline Cleanup Sunday, April 24 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Spring Creek Park 164-50 Cross Bay Blvd Howard Beach, NY Free, Click to Register
Join the Littoral Society for an Earth Day cleanup at Spring Creek Park. Meet at Jamaica Bay Refuge visitor Center at 10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. at the cleanup site. Bring gloves and wear old shoes, sneakers. We'll provide bags, water, and snacks.
For more info contact Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 or e-mail: don@littoralsociety.org. This is a partnership program with Jamaica Bay -Rockaway Parks Conservancy, St John's University, and the We Luv You Foundation.
Arbor Day South Dune Trail Hike Friday, April 29 10 a.m. - Noon Meet at Littoral Society Headquarters GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands NJ $10 members $20 Non-members
Join the Littoral Society as we celebrate Arbor Day with a walk through the South Dune Trail at Sandy Hook. We will stop to discuss the differing trees and other foliage along the way, as well as the history and ecology of this unique place. Be prepared to hug a tree!
Contact Littoral Society Education Director Nicole Haines with any questions.
We're counting down the days to the 7th Annual Littoral Society Lobster Run! Saturday, April 30 9 a.m. - Noon Start/Finish at Langosta Lounge 1000 Ocean Avenue Asbury Park, NJ
The 7th Annual American Littoral Society Lobster Run 5k is shaping up to be the best one yet. In addition to a great location, fabulous food and rockin' tunes, we've added Port Monmouth's Ross Brewing as our beer sponsor.
The course is suitable for all ages. Parking will be available in a lot across the street from Langosta and along the streets of Asbury Park. The event is rain or shine, registration is not refundable. T-shirts will be included for race/walk participants only and are guaranteed for those who sign up before April 15.
Parking will be available in a lot across the street from Langosta and along the streets of Asbury Park.
Proceeds from the event go to fund Littoral Society programs and projects. Since 1961, the Society has been caring for the coast in New Jersey and beyond. Based on Sandy Hook, we see the beauty and feel the energy that draws people to coastal communities. We work to protect and restore that splendor. We also strive to bring people onto the sand and into the water so they can gain a deeper understanding of how nature works on our beaches and in our bays. We're Also Seeking Volunteers to Help on Race Day If you’re interested in helping out with the Lobster Run, we are looking for volunteers to assist with registration, on the racecourse, and with the after party at Langosta Lounge. Contact Lindsay McNamara at lindsay@littoralsociety.org for more details.
SARASOTA BAY NEWS Sarasota Activities Eco-tours about the Carefree Learner will continue in March and April. The trips typically run from 1 - 3 p.m., departing from Bayfront Park near the LeBarge. For the trip on April 7, call John at 941-966-7308. For the trip on April 14, call Linda at 607-423-9027.
Cost for adults is $20, $15 for Littoral Society members, and $10 for Children 10 and under. All proceeds are donated to the Carefree Learner maintenance fund in memory of Dave Bulloch.
To learn more, go to the Littoral Society's Events Calendar or the Sarasota Bay Program Page.
NORTHEAST CHAPTER NEWS Senator Charles Schumer Secures Record Breaking $18.91 Million for Jamaica Bay! The American Littoral Society joins Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, the Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers, and partners in thanking U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, his staff, and participating federal agencies, for their advocacy on behalf of the Jamaica Bay Stony Creek Marsh Restoration, and the entire Hudson Raritan Estuary Project, securing much needed design and construction funding for this important restoration project.
This latest batch of funding, secured in two major bipartisan pieces of legislation—the recently passed 2022 Omnibus, and the infrastructure bill—brought in $27.2 million to the Hudson Raritan Estuary Project, which includes other sites in the New York region, with $18.91 million directly for the Jamaica Bay Stony Creek Marsh Restoration project. This funding covers both the design phase and full federal construction costs.
Stony Creek Marsh is an important marsh island in Jamaica Bay that has been degraded and fragmented over time. Once completed, this project will restore over 50 acres of marsh in the bay, creating important habitat and helping clean our waterways, and will provide protection to local communities from extreme weather.
Senator Schumer, along with Senator Gillibrand, recently wrote a letter to the Office of Management and Budget calling for full federal funding to be allocated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to this project, and they came through! As a longtime friend of Jamaica Bay, Senator Schumer has always delivered for us, and now has secured funding for this vital restoration project.
This critical funding will support restoration of Jamaica Bay's important ecosystems and protect Southern Brooklyn and Southern Queens from extreme weather events. The Stony Creek Marsh restoration project builds on prior investments by the city, state, and federal government to restore and clean the bay – efforts first led by the coastal communities of Jamaica Bay and championed by Senator Schumer and other elected officials. Learn more about this historic level of infrastructure funding here.
DELAWARE BAY NEWS Delaware Bay Team Jumps Into Spring with Student Programs The team at the Delaware Bayshore office hopped right into Spring by visiting schools in South Jersey to deliver programs on stream ecology and macro invertebrates, pollution and stormwater management, and Green Stormwater Infrastructure.
The team also visited ninth grade agriculture students at Cumberland Regional High School in Bridgeton for a discussion on stormwater management practices and the impacts of pollution and runoff on local waterways and ground water.
Shorebird Stewards Needed for NJ's Delaware Bay Beaches During the month of May, shorebirds make an incredible trek from South America to the Canadian Arctic with one critical stop – the Delaware Bay. Shorebirds, including the federally-listed endangered Red Knot, will spend just a few short weeks on bay beaches, where they will feast on horseshoe crab eggs that will give them enough energy to continue their migration.
OPERATION OYSTER NEWS Volunteers Needed For Littoral Society Shell Recycling Program Want to get involved with an awesome non-profit organization in order to defend the coast we love and promote the community you live in? Then volunteer with the Littoral Society’s “Shuck It, Don’t Chuck It!” shell recycling program.
Volunteers not only ensure the continuation and success of conservation efforts, but also represent the Society and these efforts, educate and empower others, and help spread the reach of our programs to new audiences.
Volunteers are also advocates for the coast and its inhabitants that can't speak for themselves. The shell recycling program promotes local aquaculture and local small businesses, while also restoring coastal environments and creating habitat for marine organisms.
Volunteer Qualifications
No prior volunteer or job experience required.
RESTORATION PROGRAM NEWS Spring Signals Start of Fish Monitoring at Wreck Pond The weather is warming, Spring is here, and the Wreck Pond team are back on-site for more fish sampling at the coastal lake located on the border of Spring Lake and Sea Girt, NJ.
Red Wing Blackbirds Signal Good Luck for Maritime Forest Did you know that Red-Winged Blackbird symbolizes good luck, protection, and prosperity? Well, we're hoping that their presence at the American Littoral Society’s Julie Schreck Maritime Forest in Bradley Beach, NJ is a sign that the habitat restoration project is not just good for local wildlife but also for the surrounding community.
FISH TAGGING PROGRAM NEWS Our 1st Tagger Spotlight for April is Glenn Kerkhan! If you’d like to be featured in the next Tagger Spotlight, please let us know!
Click here to learn more about the Littoral Society Fish Tagging Program.
SANDY HOOK NEWS Food for Thought: "The Oyster Farmers" Film Plus Supper Club and Discussion Join Food for Thought and Littoral Society's Executive Director Tim Dillingham on April 19 at the Hopewell Theater to explore how NJ environmental activists and chefs are working together to sustain the waterways of the Garden State through a screening of the film "Oyster Farmers," followed by a supper club discussion.
The Oyster Farmers, a feature-length documentary, centers on coastal life in NJ, specifically the Barnegat Bay. The once prolific eastern oyster, an economic and cultural keystone, historically decimated, is poised to recapture its legacy. Oyster farmers in the Barnegat Bay lead a Baymen’s renaissance, cultivating a resurgence of the oyster, to restore its heritage.
The ethos of environmental stewardship, coastal culture, and sustainability is the driving force of the film, which aims to raise awareness of our lost oyster culture and to preserve our Baymen’s heritage.
Join us after the film for a discussion about the waterways across the Garden State, and how environmental activists and chefs are working together to sustain them.
Discussion panelists include:
Supper Club begins at 6:00pm. The film begins at 7:00pm.
For more info and to buy tickets, click the link in our bio and find "The Oyster Farmers" Film & Supper Discussion. Use the discount code FOODFORTHOUGHT22 to remove the online ticketing fees when purchased!
SAVE THE DATE 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.
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.
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
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.
Save the Date for Members Day 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.
Women Only! Surf Fishing Clinic DATE CHANGE: Sunday, June 5 8 a.m. - 1 pm Meet at Littoral Society Headquarters GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands NJ $30 Members $75 Non-members
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. Surf Fishing Clinic - Sandy Hook, NJ Sunday, May 1 8 a.m. - 1 pm Meet at Littoral Society Headquarters GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands NJ $30 Members $75 Non-members
Join Emily McGuckin, Littoral Society Fish Tagging Director, 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. Meet at 8 a.m. at building 18. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided for the early morning gathering but please bring your lunch.
For more information contact emily.mcguckin@littoralsociety.org.
Littoral Society in the News Is This the Last Generation to Live on New York City’s Wild Fringes? Don Riepe pointed to the line on the wall five and a half feet above his kitchen floor. That was where floodwaters reached during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
His home, a humble two-story wooden structure, is decorated with nautical maps, horseshoe crabs and assorted maritime paraphernalia. It sits right on Jamaica Bay, with a small dock at the water’s edge, where he moors his 22-foot boat. He has a spectacular view of the east end of the bay with the spires of Manhattan in the distance.
Mr. Riepe, a former manager of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, considers himself blessed to be surrounded by nature and still have all the perks of a big city a subway ride away. But he knows his neighbors’ time there may be coming to an end. During his four decades living in the area, Hurricane Sandy was the worst Mr. Riepe has seen; the flooring and all the electrical appliances on the first floor of his house were destroyed. Since then, during lesser storms and even high tides, he moves his computer and furniture upstairs, where he sleeps — and he hopes for the best.
Mr. Riepe is just one of tens of thousands of residents who live on the wild fringes of Queens, in communities like Hamilton Beach, Edgemere and Howard Beach, where the ocean threatens to encroach as sea level rises and coastal storms intensify owing to climate change. It is also the focal point of a major environmental restoration project that aims to protect the area — and in fact the whole city — by returning salt marshes and sand dunes to their natural states. How this will affect the community of Broad Channel (the only inhabited island in Jamaica Bay) remains to be seen.
Click here to read more at The New York Times Delaware watershed gets $26M in Biden infrastructure funds VENTNOR — Elizabeth Parsons spent last Saturday enjoying South Jersey’s peculiarly warm February weather by walking on the beach.
She wasn’t, however, expecting to have nearly 100 stranded horseshoe crabs accompanying her, especially with a looming frost that would have killed them.
“It was an eerie sight,” said Parsons, an Atlantic City schoolteacher. “It made my heart sick.”
With a freeze imminent, she decided to flip them over and return them to the ocean at the beach off Baton Rouge Avenue in Ventnor.
Parsons’ brother, Dale, is a partner in Stockton University’s Marine Field Station’s oyster restoration project. He put her in touch with Christine Thompson, assistant professor of marine science, who began searching for Stockton students to help.
Ian Jaworowski, a sophomore marine science major and treasurer of the Marine Science Club, was at the field station working on a coral tank for the Aquarium and Aquaculture Club when he got a text looking for volunteers to save the stranded animals.
Click here to read more at Coastal Point
Native plants reduce stormwater and protect waterways Hurricane Ida made landfall late last August, leaving a path of destruction that blanketed parts of Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The storm destroyed homes, turned roadways into rivers and killed thirty people. Several months later, communities are still recovering.
A recent roundtable in the NJ Spotlight, for example, put the inevitable question before state leaders: how can we get ahead of the looming stormwater crisis posed by climate change?
Most systems in our states weren’t built to withstand the kind of flash floods that have become common. Riverbanks and drainage systems get pushed beyond their limits. Antiquated combined sewers flush raw waste into basements and streams. Homes with flood damage become havens for mold that cause long-term illness.
Other threats are less visible. Repeated, contaminated flooding compromises the role of the Delaware River and its tributaries to supply clean drinking water, support wildlife and vitalize local businesses.
Click here to read more in Al Dia Bird watching: A fly-by-night business worth more than $300M in NJ It’s the meeting of two flocks: more than 470,000 tourists come to Cape May County each year with the express purpose of watching migratory birds mull about, fatten up, and take flight.
Some are there to watch the ruddy turnstone, which stops over in the Delaware Bay to dig up bugs and grubs under clam shells and stones on the beach on their trip between the Gulf of Mexico and the Arctic.
Others are there to watch the hawks, which coast above Cape May Point State Park’s Hawk Watch Platform like a highway in the sky of 50,000 hawks per year. The star of the show, though, is the red knot, which flies thousands of miles from Tierra del Fuego to Cape May yearly, where it can fatten up on horseshoe crab eggs en route to the Arctic.
Armed with binoculars and fancy camera equipment, the birders bring economic activity to the area with an average spend of $662 per trip on hotels, restaurants, tours, and travel, adding up to a $313 million infusion to one of New Jersey’s southernmost counties.
...
When American Littoral Society Executive Director Tim Dillingham advocates for the protection of bird species like the red knots, his starting point is the intrinsic value of nature and the roles that such species play in the broader ecosystem. But economics inevitably comes up, especially in a state with as many people and as active a development sector as New Jersey.
Click here to read more in NJ Biz
JOIN US Membership, Renew or Join Today! Your loyalty and support enable us to continue to protect and care for the coast. Your membership supports marine science education programs for thousands of students, protecting and restoring marine life and habitat, and our efforts to defend the coast from harm. Show Your Support with Littoral Society Gear There are more ways than ever to show your support for the American Littoral Society. Now available at the Society online store are short-sleeve t-shirts in multiple designs/colors, as well as long-sleeve t's and baseball caps with the Society's name and/or logo.
More Littoral Merch Available at Bonfire You can support the Littoral Society by purchasing our official merchandise through our store on Bonfire.com. All proceeds support coastal conservation!
Bonfire is a free online platform where anyone can design, sell, and buy custom products. We handle payment processing, order fulfillment, and customer service so you can focus on connecting with your community.
Remember the Coast Make sure that our coast remains a home for the coastal wildlife you love. A bequest to the American Littoral Society is a generous and straightforward way to care for the coast. This can be expressed in a will as simply as, “I bequeath [a sum of money, a percentage of my estate, or an IRA, life insurance policy, or investment/bank account] to the American Littoral Society, 18 Hartshorne Drive, Suite 1, Highlands, NJ 07732.”
Consult with your attorney to determine what is best for your situation.
To learn more about planning a gift for the Society, contact Director of Development 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.
Our Contact Information
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March Littoral News March 1, 2021 Winter Eco-cruise around Sandy Hook Saturdays, March 5, 19 and 26 Boat departs from Highlands Terminal at 12:15 p.m. 326 Shore Drive Highlands, NJ Adults $45, $30 Children 12 and under Click here for more info and to purchase tickets
Join the American Littoral Society aboard the Seastreak ferry for a Seal and Bird Eco-Cruise on Saturdays in March. We'll explore the area and discuss the incredible history, geography, and ecology of this unique environment.
Sandy Hook Bay and the greater NY/NJ Bight are well-known for their abundance of diverse wildlife. Whales, rays, and sea turtles populate these waters during the summer months, but winter is the best time to see seals and many migratory birds!
Trips will depart at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, 19 and 26 from Highlands, NJ. From there we'll travel around Sandy Hook and to surrounding areas where seals and birds are known to gather.
For 61 years, the American Littoral Society has cared for the coast and promoted the study and conservation of marine life and habitat. Our Eco-Cruise follows the requirements of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 in order to protect habitat and marine animals in and around Sandy Hook. We believe it is imperative to give the wildlife around Sandy Hook the courtesy and respect they deserve. Please join us as we safely gaze upon them in their natural habitat from a proper distance.
COMING UP Beach Clean Up at Fort Mott State Park Saturday, March 5 10 a.m. - Noon Fort Mott State Park 454 Mott Road Pennsville, NJ
Join the American Littoral Society on Saturday, March 5 at 10 am for a beach cleanup inside Fort Mott State Park. Park in the lot off Fort Mott Road, then meet at the Ferry Pier.
All equipment will be provided. Please wear close-toed shoes and dress for the weather.
A clean up at Fort Mott State Park hosted in partnership with Americorps Watershed Ambassadors.
Winter Waterfowl and Seal Walk Saturday, March 5 Noon - 2 p.m. Meet at Littoral Society HQ GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands NJ $10 for members $20 for non-members
Join the American Littoral Society for a walk to learn all about our local winter waterfowl and seal friends. We will take a look at the different species, characteristics of them, where to spot them and identifying features. We may get lucky and spot a snowy owl!
We will be caravanning from the Littoral Society building (Building 18 on Officer's Row in the Fort Hancock section of Gateway National Recreation Area's Sandy Hook unit) to a few different locations around Sandy Hook. Dress warm (hat, gloves, layers, etc.), as we will be walking on beaches and other places that can get windy.
If you have any questions about this event, please email Nicole Haines, Education Director for the Littoral Society, at Nicole.Haines@littoralsociety.org. Winter Waterfowl and Seal Webinar Monday, March 7 Noon - 1 p.m. Via Zoom Pay What You Can
Join the American Littoral Society for a webinar all about our local winter waterfowl and seal friends.
We will take a 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.
If you have any questions about this event, please email Nicole Haines, Education Director for the Littoral Society, at Nicole.Haines@littoralsociety.org.
Spring Equinox Walk Sunday, March 20 Zero Waste Workshop Wednesday, March 23 Noon - 1 p.m. Zoom Link Will Be Emailed After Registration Pay What You Can
Join Littoral Society Education Director Nicole Haines as she discusses ways to reduce waste and live a more sustainable lifestyle.
This workshop will include:
Rain Barrel Workshop Saturday, March 26 2 - 4 p.m. Cumberland County Library 800 Commerce Street Bridgeton, NJ Free, Registration Required
Teens and adults are invited to celebrate New Jersey Makers Day at the Cumberland County Library by helping to make the world a better place – one gallon of water at a time! In this free, hands-on workshop presented by the American Littoral Society’s Delaware Bayshore Office, and partially funded by a New Jersey Makers Day Mini-Grant, participants will learn how to make a rain barrel that they can then take home.
Rain barrels connect to your roof gutter and collect rainwater to use for outdoor activities such as watering your garden. Considered a staple in the home environmentalist’s toolbox, a rain barrel can save 1,600 gallons of outdoor water use per year, as well as help to reduce the amount of water that flows into our local streams.
Supplies are limited and registration is required for this workshop. Although families and groups may participate together, there is a limit of one barrel per household.
This workshop is partially funded by a New Jersey Makers Day Mini-Grant from the New Jersey State Library and the PSEG Foundation.
Early Spring Migrants Bird Walk Saturday, March 26 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center 175-10 Cross Bay Blvd Queens, NY Free, Click to Register
Join Littoral Society naturalist Don Riepe for a hike around the pond and gardens of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge to see migrating birds from early spring and late winter.
Dress warmly, bring binoculars. To reserve e-mail: don@littoralsociety.org
Registration is open for the 7th Annual Littoral Society Lobster Run Saturday, April 30 9 a.m. - Noon Start/Finish at Langosta Lounge 1000 Ocean Avenue Asbury Park, NJ
Lace up your shoes, click your claws, and get read to hit the boardwalk for the 7th Annual Littoral Society Lobster Run!
The 5k run/walk to care for the coast is returning to the spring, but everything else will remain the same. There will be a time trial start for participants in order to avoid large groups on the boardwalk and an after-party featuring a buffet brunch from the fabulous Langosta Lounge. You can register to run/walk with or without a meal, or join us just for the party. Use the Extra button to add a lobster salad roll to your brunch (available only for registration types that include the meal).
The course is suitable for all ages. Parking will be available in a lot across the street from Langosta and along the streets of Asbury Park. The event is rain or shine, registration is not refundable. T-shirts will be included for race/walk participants only and are guaranteed for those who sign up before April 15.
We are monitoring the ever changing COVID-19 situation in New Jersey. If any details about the run change, this page will be updated and an email will go out to all registrants.
Proceeds from the event go to fund Littoral Society programs and projects. Since 1961, the Society has been caring for the coast in New Jersey and beyond. Based on Sandy Hook, we see the beauty and feel the energy that draws people to coastal communities. We work to protect and restore that splendor. We also strive to bring people onto the sand and into the water so they can gain a deeper understanding of how nature works on our beaches and in our bays. We're Also Seeking Volunteers to Help on Race Day If you’re interested in helping out with the Lobster Run, we are looking for volunteers to assist with registration, on the racecourse, and with the after party at Langosta Lounge. Contact Lindsay McNamara at lindsay@littoralsociety.org for more details.
SARASOTA BAY PROGRAM NEWS Sarasota Activities Set to Resume Eco-tours about the Carefree Learner will continue in March and April. The trips typically run from 1 - 3 p.m., departing from Bayfront Park near the LeBarge. For the trips on March 3, March 24 and April 7, call John at 941-966-7308. For those on March 10, March 31, and April 14, call Linda at 607-423-9027.
Cost for adults is $20, $15 for Littoral Society members, and $10 for Children 10 and under. All proceeds are donated to the Carefree Learner maintenance fund in memory of Dave Bulloch.
To learn more, go to the Littoral Society's Events Calendar or the Sarasota Bay Program Page.
SANDY HOOK NEWS Littoral Society Welcomes New Director of Development
Please join the American Littoral Society in welcoming Lindsay McNamara to our staff.
OPERATION OYSTER NEWS Operation Oyster Aims to Restore Shellfish Populations and Much, Much More February was our month of advocacy. As part of that, the Littoral Society continued raising awareness about issues affecting our marine ecosystem faces specifically around shellfish, hurdles the organization faces to implement projects and grow programs, and action items to progress forward.
The umbrella for much of this work is Operation Oyster, our state-wide program encompassing all things oyster. From bay to plate and back, this program has a state-wide action plan to assist the oyster and local communities, by taking discarded shell from restaurants and turning them into projects that protect and restore the coast.
RESTORATION PROGRAM NEWS DEWEY BEACH, Del.— On Thursday, DNREC leaders met with Capt. Alek Modjeski, Habitat Restoration Program Director for the American Littoral Society, to watch his presentation of living shoreline restoration projects in the Atlantic Coast.
The studies were conducted using drones to capture images of the replenished shorelines which were previously washed away by strong waves.
In Dewey Beach, Paul Bauer, Commissioner of the Dewey Beach Town Council says the town is working with the Center for Inland Bays to keep their living shorelines and others in Sussex County clean.
The town council also formed a Climate Change committee seven weeks ago. these are pictures from the drone they're using to monitor sea level which can weaken the dunes and can cause flooding. Bauer says that living shorelines like the one by read avenue in Dewey Beach are not only crucial for people living by the beach, but also the wildlife living on it, like horseshoe crabs.
FISH TAGGING PROGRAM NEWS For February, the American Littoral Society Fish Tagging Program put the spotlight on Captain Monty Hawkins. Capt. Monty (tagging in the top picture) runs Morning Star Fishing out of Ocean City, MD.
Click here to see additional pictures with the facebook post.
Click here to learn more about the Littoral Society Fish Tagging Program.
The Fred Rung Memorial Striped Bass Derby Derby runs from 7 a.m. Saturday, April 16 through Noon on Sunday May 15
Registration is now open for the Hudson River Fishermen's Association Fred Rung Memorial Striped Bass Derby. This is a catch and release event, with special incentives for Littoral Society fish taggers.
This year features a significant increase in prize money over previous derbies, at least for anglers that tag a minimum of 10 stripers for the American Littoral Society during the month long event. For non-taggers (less than 10) the prize money remains the same as last year. So, this really becomes two derbies in one; one for those who tag and one for those who don't.
HRFA members can purchase tagging kits at a regular monthly meeting. HRFA can also mail tagging kits for $15 (allow 5-days for delivery). Non-members of the HRFA can get them directly from the Littoral Society Fish Tagging Program. You must be a member of the Society to purchase tagging kits.
Why you should tag fish with the American Littoral Society? Because thanks to our advocacy for protecting Atlantic coast fish populations and habitat, that striper tagged in 1999 might still be out there wanting to be caught again! Become a community scientist; click here to learn more about the Fish Tagging Program or to purchase tagging kits.
LITTORAL SOCIETY JOBS Littoral Society Seeks Development and Communications Associate The Development and Communications Associate will support the overall fundraising efforts of the American Littoral Society. The Associate provides administrative and operational support to the Development and Communications team and the organization as a whole. This position is a great opportunity to learn and grow the skills needed to be a non-profit fundraising professional.
SAVE THE DATE 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.
Save the Date for Littorally Local 2022 We know a year is a long time to look ahead, but the Littoral Society is excited to announce that the date for next year’s Littorally Local celebration has been set for Friday, September 16, 2022.
Littoral Society in the News Camden’s Urban BoatWorks Program Continues To Have Positive Impact On Hundreds Of Local Students When she moved to Long Beach in 2004, Sabrina Kaminsky relished her daily jogs along the two-mile stretch of shoreline that runs parallel to the boardwalk.
A youth program in Camden is making an impact on hundreds of middle and high school students. Nearly all of the kids who participate go on to college.
And some return to help guide future generations.
“It’s transformative in so many ways,” Jim Cummings, of Urban Promise, said.
For over a decade, Cummings has transformed his love of the water to student projects in the Urban Promise program. Students helped build boats, kayaks, and more.
The ninth graders are making the best of experiential learning.
“You’re gonna have adventures on the boat, for sure,” Cummings said as groups of students built a boat.
Click here to read more at CBS Philly Beached horseshoe crabs get ride from Stockton students back to the ocean VENTNOR — Elizabeth Parsons spent last Saturday enjoying South Jersey’s peculiarly warm February weather by walking on the beach.
She wasn’t, however, expecting to have nearly 100 stranded horseshoe crabs accompanying her, especially with a looming frost that would have killed them.
“It was an eerie sight,” said Parsons, an Atlantic City schoolteacher. “It made my heart sick.”
With a freeze imminent, she decided to flip them over and return them to the ocean at the beach off Baton Rouge Avenue in Ventnor.
Parsons’ brother, Dale, is a partner in Stockton University’s Marine Field Station’s oyster restoration project. He put her in touch with Christine Thompson, assistant professor of marine science, who began searching for Stockton students to help.
Ian Jaworowski, a sophomore marine science major and treasurer of the Marine Science Club, was at the field station working on a coral tank for the Aquarium and Aquaculture Club when he got a text looking for volunteers to save the stranded animals.
Click here to read more at The Press of Atlantic City
Native plants reduce stormwater and protect waterways Spring is nearly here and it’s time to think about spring plantings, and two events on native plants were held last week, by DNREC and by the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays’ Citizen Advisory Council (CAC).
Native plants are considered nature’s best answer for major shoreline and coastal resiliency programs initiated by state natural resources officials. They are also a solution for over-development and loss of groundcover in local neighborhoods.
“We are facing severe shoreline erosion along the Delaware Bay and watershed,” said Captain Alex Modjeski, restoration program director of the American Littoral Society, who spoke on Feb. 17 with citizens, on behalf of DNREC, through a living shorelines webinar. “We are seeing elevated turbidity by our beaches and dune erosion.”
“Eel grass is a great habitat and helps with wave attenuation,” or breaking the surf and wave impacts on the shore, he noted. “Eel grass planting is a model for Delaware Bay-wide restorations.”
Modjeski provided an overview of coastal estuarine restoration projects that have offered a strong emphasis on community engagement and involvement. The presentation showcased how the use of public and private partnerships create connectivity and resiliency throughout the habitat restoration process. The group sought to restore 2,600 feet of shoreline on the bay with 10 intertidal living shoreline reefs.
Click here to read more in the Coastal Point Fishing: From Fire Island to Hudson Canyon, one tagged fluke's journey In September of 2020 Blanche Goodman caught a fluke on Fire Island Reef off Long Island, measured, weighed and tagged it, and released it back to the ocean. The fluke survived, swam almost 100 miles, grew 2 ½ inches and was caught again the following April by a commercial fishing outfit dragging in the Hudson Canyon. Such are the pitfalls in the life of summer flounder, which must transit back and forth on the coastal plain between summer and winter where they're highly sought after by hook or by net as both a game fish and table fare.
The fluke is just one of roughly 1,500 to 2,000 that are tagged annually by the angling members of the American Littoral Society. Not all the tags make it back to the society but the ones that do shed some light on both the life cycle and survival of released fish.
Emily McGuckin, the director of the society's tagging program, said this one fluke exhibited a bit of faster growth spurt than many of the tagged fluke they have data on.
Click here to read more in The Asbury Park Press
JOIN US Membership, Renew or Join Today! Your loyalty and support enable us to continue to protect and care for the coast. Your membership supports marine science education programs for thousands of students, protecting and restoring marine life and habitat, and our efforts to defend the coast from harm. Show Your Support with Littoral Society Gear There are more ways than ever to show your support for the American Littoral Society. Now available at the Society online store are short-sleeve t-shirts in multiple designs/colors, as well as long-sleeve t's and baseball caps with the Society's name and/or logo.
More Littoral Merch Available at Bonfire You can support the Littoral Society by purchasing our official merchandise through our store on Bonfire.com. All proceeds support coastal conservation!
Bonfire is a free online platform where anyone can design, sell, and buy custom products. We handle payment processing, order fulfillment, and customer service so you can focus on connecting with your community.
Remember the Coast Make sure that our coast remains a home for the coastal wildlife you love. A bequest to the American Littoral Society is a generous and straightforward way to care for the coast. This can be expressed in a will as simply as, “I bequeath [a sum of money, a percentage of my estate, or an IRA, life insurance policy, or investment/bank account] to the American Littoral Society, 18 Hartshorne Drive, Suite 1, Highlands, NJ 07732.”
Consult with your attorney to determine what is best for your situation.
To learn more about planning a gift for the Society, contact Director of Development 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.
Our Contact Information
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February Littoral News February 1, 2021 Shorebird Stewards Needed! It's almost time for the arrival of spawning horseshoe crabs and hungry migrating shorebirds on Delaware Bay Beaches. You can help make sure that meeting is as trouble-free as possible by volunteering to be a Shorebird Steward.
During the month of May, shorebirds make an incredible trek from South America to the Canadian Arctic with one critical stop – the Delaware Bay. Shorebirds, including the federally-listed endangered red knot, will spend just a few short weeks feasting on horseshoe crab eggs that will give them enough energy to continue their migration.
When the shorebirds arrive to the Delaware Bay, they are vulnerable to a wide range of threats including habitat loss, changing climates, and human disturbance. It is imperative that the birds spend the limited amount of time they have to feed on horseshoe crab eggs and meet the weight threshold that will sustain their journey to the Arctic breeding grounds. Providing this information to the public about how important these beaches and horseshoe crab eggs are to their survival and the Delaware Bay ecosystem as a whole, is a primary goal of the stewardship program.
These remote beaches are not only loved by wildlife, but humans too. Human presence and activity on these beaches can scare the birds, causing them to flee and spend less time foraging and gaining weight. From May 7 to June 7, several beaches along the New Jersey side of the Delaware Bay have restricted access during the day to allow for birds to forage with minimal disturbance from humans. Shorebird stewards are stationed at each beach and volunteer their time to educate the public on the migratory shorebirds and the incredible journey they make every year and the significance of restricted access.
Stewards are needed throughout the May across several beaches in Cumberland and Cape May counties. Interested in becoming a Shorebird Steward? Please reach out to Habitat Restoration Coordinator, Quinn Whitesall at quinn@littoralsociety.org for more information.
COMING UP Winter Waterfowl and Seal Webinar Monday, February 7 Noon - 1 p.m. Via Zoom
Join the American Littoral Society for a webinar all about our local winter waterfowl and seal friends.
We will take a 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.
If you have any questions about this event, please email Nicole Haines, Education Director for the Littoral Society, at Nicole.Haines@littoralsociety.org.
Winter Waterfowl and Seal Walk Saturday, February 12 9:00 - 11 a.m. Meet at Littoral Society HQ GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands NJ $10 for members $20 for non-members
Join the American Littoral Society for a walk to learn all about our local winter waterfowl and seal friends. We will take a look at the different species, characteristics of them, where to spot them and identifying features. We may get lucky and spot a snowy owl!
We will be carpooling from the Littoral Society building (Building 18 on Officer's Row in the Fort Hancock section of Gateway National Recreation Area's Sandy Hook unit) to a few different locations around Sandy Hook. Dress warm (hat, gloves, layers, etc.), as we will be walking on beaches and other places that can get windy.
If you have any questions about this event, please email Nicole Haines, Education Director for the Littoral Society, at Nicole.Haines@littoralsociety.org.
Register Now for the 7th Annual Littoral Society Lobster Run Saturday, April 30 9 a.m. - Noon Start/Finish at Langosta Lounge 1000 Ocean Avenue Asbury Park, NJ
Lace up your shoes, click your claws, and get read to hit the boardwalk for the 7th Annual Littoral Society Lobster Run!
The 5k run/walk to care for the coast is returning to the spring, but everything else will remain the same. There will be a time trial start for participants in order to avoid large groups on the boardwalk and an after-party featuring a buffet brunch from the fabulous Langosta Lounge. You can register to run/walk with or without a meal, or join us just for the party. Use the Extra button to add a lobster salad roll to your brunch (available only for registration types that include the meal).
The course is suitable for all ages. Parking will be available in a lot across the street from Langosta and along the streets of Asbury Park. The event is rain or shine, registration is not refundable. T-shirts will be included for race/walk participants only and are guaranteed for those who sign up before April 15.
We are monitoring the ever changing COVID-19 situation in New Jersey. If any details about the run change, this page will be updated and an email will go out to all registrants.
Proceeds from the event go to fund Littoral Society programs and projects. Since 1961, the Society has been caring for the coast in New Jersey and beyond. Based on Sandy Hook, we see the beauty and feel the energy that draws people to coastal communities. We work to protect and restore that splendor. We also strive to bring people onto the sand and into the water so they can gain a deeper understanding of how nature works on our beaches and in our bays.
SARASOTA BAY PROGRAM NEWS Sarasota Activities Set to Resume A beach workday in February will highlight the resumption of activities for the Littoral Society's Sarasota Bay Program. Carefree Learner trips and kayak excursions are also expected to begin again this month.
Eco-tours about the Carefree Learner are scheduled to restart on Feb 10, then continue in March and April. The trips typically run from 1 - 3 p.m., departing from Bayfront Park near the LeBarge. For the trips on March 3, March 24 and April 7, call John at 941-966-7308. For those on Feb 24, March 10, March 31, and April 14, call Linda at 607-423-9027.
Cost for adults is $20, $15 for Littoral Society members, and $10 for Children 10 and under. All proceeds are donated to the Carefree Learner maintenance fund in memory of Dave Bulloch.
To learn more, go to the Littoral Society's Events Calendar or the Sarasota Bay Program Page.
The workday will take place at South Brohard Park in Venice, FL on Saturday, February 26 from 8 a.m. to Noon.
Volunteers will help remove the exotic pest plant Brazilian pepper from the park. Volunteers should be able to walk and carry 10-20 pounds of brushy material for short distances. We will provide a free box lunch to each volunteer at the conclusion of the workday. Please let us know during registration if you have any special dietary restrictions.
Please be aware that County staff will be operating saws to cut down Brazilian pepper during the event. Volunteers will carry the cut pieces to piles in the parking lot. Some people are especially sensitive to Brazilian pepper and develop respiratory and/or skin irritation. We will make durable gloves available for all volunteers to reduce contact irritation. If a volunteer develops respiratory irritation during the event and wishes to stay, we will position that volunteer further away from the saw operators.
DELAWARE BAY PROGRAM NEWS MLK Day Volunteers Pick Up 23 Bags of Trash In honor of MLK Day, the American Littoral Society and Gateway Community Action Partnership teamed up on Tuesday, January 18 for a community clean-up in the Southeast Gateway Community of Bridgeton, NJ. Walking roadways, lawns, parks and playgrounds, our 11 volunteers picked up 23 bags of trash!
Some of the most common trash items found were disposable face masks, plastic bags, and plastic/glass bottles. All of these items have reusable alternatives. We can all do our part to minimize waste and help prevent pollution.
Join us for our next Clean Up Event on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Fort Mott State Park in Pennsville, NJ. More details coming soon.
Delaware Bayshore Program Hires Education Coordinator Please join us in welcoming Michelle Rebilas as the Delaware Bayshore Outreach and Education Coordinator for the American Littoral Society.
OPERATION OYSTER NEWS Shuck It, Don't Chuck It Program Hires New Coordinator Serena Celestino has been hired as the Coordinator of the Shuck It, Don’t Chuck It Program, the Society’s oyster shell recycling initiative, which is part of Operation Oyster.
RESTORATION PROGRAM NEWS The importance of community engagement and involvement in shoreline restoration projects is the topic of a free webinar at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, presented by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, in partnership with the Delaware Living Shorelines Committee.
The webinar speaker is Capt. Alek Modjeski, a professional ecologist, fisheries biologist, and the habitat restoration program director for the American Littoral Society.
Modjeski will provide an overview of coastal estuarine restoration projects that have a strong emphasis on community engagement and involvement. The presentation will showcase how the use of public and private partnerships create connectivity and resiliency throughout the habitat restoration process. This model includes several case studies of projects conducted throughout New Jersey focusing on the application of living shorelines. The webinar presenter will discuss how these projects goals extend beyond just restoring coastal areas to increase the ecosystem’s resiliency and functionality for the future. A unique feature of the case studies in this lecture will identify the involvement of a workforce consisting of military veterans and volunteers.
The webinar is part of an ongoing virtual series offered by the Delaware Living Shorelines Committee, a work group dedicated to facilitating the understanding, peer review and implementation of living shoreline strategy within the state. DNREC’s participation is represented by the DNREC Wetland Monitoring and Assessment program and the DNREC Coastal Training program.
For more information, visit Delaware Living Shorelines. Registration for the webinar and more information about it are also available on the DNREC events and meetings calendar at de.gov/DNRECmeetings.
FISH TAGGING PROGRAM NEWS Happy 2022!!
Want to help protect our fish populations while fishing? Join the American Littoral Society’s Fish Tagging Program and become a community scientist.
Tagging or marking animals has long been an accepted biological method for monitoring wildlife; birds are banded on their legs, black bears and grizzly bears carry radio transmitters, as do sea turtles. Even monarch butterflies have been banded with delicate mylar patches. The reason for doing this is to tell one creature from another so its daily movements or seasonal migrations can be studied and rates of growth can be learned.
Already a member? Don’t forget to renew your membership and buy your tags for another great year of fish tagging!
Click here to learn more about the Littoral Society Fish Tagging Program.
LITTORAL SOCIETY JOBS Littoral Society Seeks Development and Communications Associate The Development and Communications Associate will support the overall fundraising efforts of the American Littoral Society. The Associate provides administrative and operational support to the Development and Communications team and the organization as a whole. This position is a great opportunity to learn and grow the skills needed to be a non-profit fundraising professional.
SAVE THE DATE Rain Gardens 101 Webinar Thursday, March 3 Noon and 7 p.m.
South Jersey Water Savers presents Rain Gardens 101, a virtual information session focused on helping you beautify your property while managing stormwater. Qualifying residents in select zip codes are eligible for a rebate.
The Rain Garden sessions are part of the South Jersey Landscape Makeover Program, which provides homeowners, municipalities, and farmers with expert advice and financial assistance to create rain gardens and other “green infrastructure” projects that capture polluted stormwater and prevent it from entering our lakes, rivers, and bays.
The sessions are presented in partnership with ANJEC, American Littoral Society, Pinelands Preservation Alliance, and Rutgers University.
Click here to learn more about the South Jersey Landscape Makeover Program.
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.
Save the Date for Littorally Local 2022 We know a year is a long time to look ahead, but the Littoral Society is excited to announce that the date for next year’s Littorally Local celebration has been set for Friday, September 16, 2022.
Littoral Society in the News Beach sweep: Long Islanders are on a mission to keep the coastline clean When she moved to Long Beach in 2004, Sabrina Kaminsky relished her daily jogs along the two-mile stretch of shoreline that runs parallel to the boardwalk.
Yet each morning, her healthful routine was interrupted by countless pieces of unsightly garbage.
"I realized how much garbage is on the beach and then I started to pick it up — as much as I could," said Kaminsky, 44, a stay-at-home mom.
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Litter is not just unsightly, it’s deleterious to the marine ecosystem, said Tim Dillingham, executive director of the American Littoral Society, a conservation organization based in Highlands, New Jersey, that runs annual fall coastal cleanups in New York State.
"Marine debris, and plastics in particular, pose several very serious threats to the health of the ocean, the marine life that lives there and ultimately to people," Dillingham said.
Plastics take a long time to dissolve, disintegrate and decompose, Dillingham said. "Until then, they smother ocean habitats, entangle wildlife and are mistaken by wildlife for natural foods and ingested, often killing the animals."
Click here to read more in Newsday Recovering America’s Wildlife Act: Conservationists’ hope for species at risk Piping plover. Atlantic sturgeon. American shad. Red knot. Horseshoe crab. Bog turtle. These are just some of the thousands of depleting species in this region that conservationists are working to preserve.
The work is costly, however, so local conservationists are hoping Congress will pass proposed legislation that would approve billions of dollars in new funding for states, territories, and tribal nations to manage wildlife recovery work.
The bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act — sponsored by U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich, a New Mexico Democrat, and Roy Blunt, a Missouri Republican — proposes financial support for on-the-ground, locally driven, science-based projects that work to sustain the health of fish, wildlife, and their habitats.
The legislation would allow states to tailor conservation strategies to meet their individual needs, and support local volunteers who best understand the issues in their backyards.
“This funding would allow conservation organizations, state wildlife agencies, to remove dams to let shad get back upstream. It would allow us to rebuild the beaches that the horseshoe crabs need to spawn on, that the migratory birds need as a stopover on their migration to the Arctic,” said Tim Dillingham, executive director of the American Littoral Society in Highlands, New Jersey, which has been part of a national coalition of conservationists calling on legislators to support the bill.
Click here to read more at WHYY
Two Conservation Groups Have Big Plans for 2022 At a time when many municipalities are experiencing development and change, local conservation groups know just how important it is to simultaneously preserve open space and water quality. That’s why throughout the past year, some local groups took on projects to maintain natural elements in the Two River area and beyond.
According to Tim Dillingham, executive director of the Highlands-based Littoral Society, in 2021 the coastal conservation nonprofit made great strides with its “Shuck It Don’t Chuck It” oyster shell recycling program. Supported by The Lusty Lobster in Highlands and a grant from the Marta Heflin Foundation, the program enables Littoral Society members to collect used oyster shells from local restaurants and recycle them to address water quality issues in waterways, including in the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers.
“Oysters are ecosystem engineers,” said Dillingham. Each oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day. To put it simply, they “take out some of the nasty stuff that we as a society allow to get into our bays and coastline,” said Dillingham.
“Ultimately, our goal with this work is to help clean up New Jersey’s waters and to restore the bounty of marine life that has been there in the past,” he said.
Click here to read more in The Two Rivers Times His Job? Clearing New York’s Shorelines of Abandoned Boats They’re spotted off Staten Island, throughout Jamaica Bay in Queens and around Coney Island and Gravesend Bay in Brooklyn. A few of them appear brand-new, sitting in plain sight, lodged on the edge of a cove. Others are dirty and worn, while many are completely submerged.
There are hundreds of abandoned boats scattered around the city. Many of them become unmoored during bad storms. Others are let go on purpose.
“Many times, boats are the last thing a person purchases in good times and the first thing that’s let go in bad times,” said Nate Grove, the chief of waterfront and marine operations at the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. He has made it his mission to remove these abandoned vessels — which he estimates to be upward of 500 — from city shorelines.
Mr. Grove has overseen the removal of 300 vessels over the past seven years, he said. “The waters around the city haven’t been this clean since the Civil War,” he said, “and I’m determined to help keep it that way.”
How do you choose which boats to clean up? I have my own roster of derelict boats I’d like to get to, but I get a lot of community input. Many times a civic association will get in touch with its councilperson. It could be that the derelict boat is causing a navigational or public hazard, which prompts a call to me. Over the years, I’ve worked closely with the Jamaica Bay EcoWatchers and the American Littoral Society to decide which boats to fish out.
Click here to read more in The New York Times
Controversial proposal would lift limits on horseshoe crab harvesting in the Del Bay Regional conservationists are voicing their opposition to a recommendation that would allow for the harvesting of female horseshoe crabs in the Delaware Bay.
They say adding females to the recommended quota would lead to overharvesting, and threaten the endangered red knot bird, which relies on horseshoe crab eggs for sustenance on their spring stopover along the Delaware Bay during their journey from South America to the Arctic, where they breed. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, which coordinates the conservation and management of 27 nearshore fish species on the Atlantic Coast, will meet virtually Wednesday to review its framework revision for implementing harvesting quotas along the Delaware Bay in New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. The commission’s previous framework recommended the harvesting of only male horseshoe crabs, but the new model meant for calculating optimal yet eco-friendly harvesting would open it up to females.
New Jersey has a moratorium on horseshoe crab harvesting, with an exemption for biomedical use, including research and the development of the COVID-19 vaccine. Delaware does not have a moratorium (but bans harvesting for biomedical purposes) and follows recommendations from the commission.
Click here to read more at WHYY How to address climate locally? These 6 places have plans While much of the nation’s attention to climate adaptation has focused on large coastal cities with outsize risks, some of the most forward-leaning climate policies are coming from less urbanized places such as Marina, Calif.; Carmel, Ind.; and the Jersey Shore.
Experts say local government innovation will continue to shape the nation’s climate agenda over the coming years, even as funding for such initiatives ebbs and flows.
Here are six places meeting unique climate challenges head on, often through local commissions, councils and even volunteers.
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Formally called the “Forked River Beach Living Shoreline Project,” the restoration is led by the New Jersey-based American Littoral Society and Stockton University with a $1 million grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Experts say projects that attempt to restore or mimic natural conditions along damaged and eroded estuaries will be critical to saving essential habitat for marine life and humans along developed shorelines like the Forked River.
It’s not easy work, as evidenced by the society’s recent call for volunteers. “Dress to get dirty and wear closed toed shoes. Gloves, safety glasses, and tools will be provided.”
Click here to read more at E&E News
JOIN US Membership, Renew or Join Today! Your loyalty and support enable us to continue to protect and care for the coast. Your membership supports marine science education programs for thousands of students, protecting and restoring marine life and habitat, and our efforts to defend the coast from harm. Show Your Support with Littoral Society Gear There are more ways than ever to show your support for the American Littoral Society. Now available at the Society online store are short-sleeve t-shirts in multiple designs/colors, as well as long-sleeve t's and baseball caps with the Society's name and/or logo.
More Littoral Merch Available at Bonfire You can support the Littoral Society by purchasing our official merchandise through our store on Bonfire.com. All proceeds support coastal conservation!
Bonfire is a free online platform where anyone can design, sell, and buy custom products. We handle payment processing, order fulfillment, and customer service so you can focus on connecting with your community.
Remember the Coast Make sure that our coast remains a home for the coastal wildlife you love. A bequest to the American Littoral Society is a generous and straightforward way to care for the coast. This can be expressed in a will as simply as, “I bequeath [a sum of money, a percentage of my estate, or an IRA, life insurance policy, or investment/bank account] to the American Littoral Society, 18 Hartshorne Drive, Suite 1, Highlands, NJ 07732.”
Consult with your attorney to determine what is best for your situation.
To learn more about planning a gift for the Society, contact Director of Development Hillary Critelli at 732-291-0055 or 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.
Our Contact Information
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January Littoral News January 1, 2021 COMING UP Friday thru Sunday January 7-9 Manor House 236 Edgemere Street Montauk, NY $495/person (double occupancy) Single supplement, $100 extra
Enjoy a weekend at the eastern tip of Long Island during peak winter birding time. See many species of sea ducks including Loons, Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders, and more. Hike the "Walking Dunes," Napeague Dunes and beach, and Montauk Bluffs, as well as visit the seal haulout site.
Cost includes two nights lodging at the luxurious Manor House (which has a heated pool and jacuzzi), a welcome dinner, evening programs/star watch, and five easy guided hikes to beautiful woods, dunes, shorelines, and vistas.
For more info and reservations call 917-371-8577 or email: don@littoralsociety.org.
Winter Bird and Nature Walk Saturday, January 15 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge 175-10 Cross Bay Blvd Queens, NY Free
Join Littoral Society naturalist Don Riepe for a hike around the ponds and gardens of Jamaica Bay to look for winter birds, while learning about bird migration and winter survival. The walk is suitable for children.
The walk will also be livestreamed on Facebook. This is a partnership program with NYC Audubon.
For more info call 917-371-8577 or e-mail: don@littoralsociety.org. Volunteers Needed: MLK Day Cleanup Tuesday, January 18 2 - 4 p.m. Meet at the Park across from the Alms Center 1 Martin Luther King Jr Way Bridgeton, NJ Free, Click Here to Register
The American Littoral Society is cohosting a cleanup with Gateway CAP in honor of MLK day. We will focus on the South East Gateway Community of Bridgeton.
Meet at the pocket park across from the Alms Center and we'll work our way down Grove Street and back up South.
Please dress for the weather. If you have any questions, please email lucia@littoralsociety.org.
Zero Waste Workshop Webinar Wednesday, January 26 6 - 7 p.m. Via Zoom Pay what you can
Join the American Littoral Society on Wednesday, January 26 at 6 p.m. In this session we'll talk about how to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
The workshop will include:
If you have any problems with registration or want more information about this event, please email Nicole Haines, Education Director for the American Littoral Society, at Nicole.Haines@littoralsociety.org. Winter Waterfowl and Seal Walk Friday, January 21 10:30 a.m. - Noon Meet at Littoral Society HQ GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands NJ $10 for members $20 for non-members
Join the American Littoral Society for a walk to learn all about our local winter waterfowl and seal friends. We will take a look at the different species, characteristics of them, where to spot them and identifying features. We may get lucky and spot a snowy owl!
We will be caravanning from the Littoral Society building (Building 18 on Officer's Row in the Fort Hancock section of Gateway National Recreation Area's Sandy Hook unit) to a few different locations around Sandy Hook. Dress warm (hat, gloves, layers, etc.), as we will be walking on beaches and other places that can get windy.
If you have any questions about this event, please email Nicole Haines, Education Director for the Littoral Society, at Nicole.Haines@littoralsociety.org.
In Memorium Mickey Cohen Remembered as Educator and Environmentalist "Mickey" Maxwell Cohen, born in Brooklyn’s Borough Park in New York, passed away in Beverly, Massachusetts on December 28, 2021. He was 94 years old.
OPERATION OYSTER NEWS 2022 Will Bring New Initiatives to "Shuck It, Don't Chuck It" Thanks to a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Littoral Society's Shuck It, Don't Chuck It! program is expanding in a big way.
We are starting a new, exciting partnership with the Barnegat Oyster Collective – itself a partnership among oyster aquaculture farmers – to connect local oyster growers with regional restaurants and the public. Our goal is to connect a local, growing, sustainable industry with estuarine restoration and conservation – a double win for local businesses and oysters! We will be working together to raise awareness among area residents and local restaurants on the importance of eating locally grown oysters – supporting their neighborhood businesses – AND recycling the shells back into the waterways they came from rather than dumping them into a landfill.
In the coming year we will bring on a Program Coordinator, who will enable us to recycle more shell from the two rivers area of Monmouth County, while also helping to expand our efforts to interact with communities and provide information on the program.
The Society will also be purchasing a van to transport all of our recycled shell, so keep an eye out for our distinctive yellow and blue logo driving around the region!
RESTORATION PROGRAM NEWS What's Next for Littoral Restoration Projects Work on the Forked River Beach project has been underway for a few weeks and folks may be wondering what is next. Through this project we are advancing our goals of restoring oysters to the waters of Barnegat Bay and developing nature-based approaches to community resilience in response to climate change impacts along our coast.
EDUCATION PROGRAM NEWS Camden Students Immersed in Making Delaware River S.A.F.E. How can we make the Delaware River “S.A.F.E.” for residents in Camden, Chester, Philadelphia, and Wilmington? By helping our children and our leaders get to know and care for their part of the river.
DELAWARE BAY PROGRAM NEWS Water Champions Connects Fresh Water Conservation with Caring for the Coast Conserving water at home has been a pillar of environmental responsibility for a very long time, but how does that relate to coastal conservation?
LITTORAL SOCIETY JOBS Littoral Society Seeks Shuck It, Don't Chuck It Program Coordinator The program coordinator of the Shuck It, Don't Chuck It program will be responsible for and expected to assist in coordinating the shell recycling program by growing the participation, collecting data, transporting recycled shell, forming relationships, speaking on behalf of the program/society at outreach and educational events and working with our associated partners.
This is a 2-year full-time position with the American Littoral Society. and is funded for September 2021 through August 31, 2023. Salary is $38,000 per year.
Littoral Society Seeks Development and Communications Associate The Development and Communications Associate will support the overall fundraising efforts of the American Littoral Society. The Associate provides administrative and operational support to the Development and Communications team and the organization as a whole. This position is a great opportunity to learn and grow the skills needed to be a non-profit fundraising professional.
SAVE THE DATE Virtual Winter Waterfowl and Seal Webinar Monday, February 7 Noon - 1 p.m. Via Zoom
Join the American Littoral Society for a webinar all about our local winter waterfowl and seal friends.
We will take a 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.
If you have any questions about this event, please email Nicole Haines, Education Director for the Littoral Society, at Nicole.Haines@littoralsociety.org. Winter Waterfowl and Seal Walk Saturday, February 12 9:00 - 11 a.m. Meet at Littoral Society HQ GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands NJ $10 for members $20 for non-members
Join the American Littoral Society for a walk to learn all about our local winter waterfowl and seal friends. We will take a look at the different species, characteristics of them, where to spot them and identifying features. We may get lucky and spot a snowy owl!
We will be carpooling from the Littoral Society building (Building 18 on Officer's Row in the Fort Hancock section of Gateway National Recreation Area's Sandy Hook unit) to a few different locations around Sandy Hook. Dress warm (hat, gloves, layers, etc.), as we will be walking on beaches and other places that can get windy.
If you have any questions about this event, please email Nicole Haines, Education Director for the Littoral Society, at Nicole.Haines@littoralsociety.org.
Save the Date for Littorally Local 2022 We know a year is a long time to look ahead, but the Littoral Society is excited to announce that the date for next year’s Littorally Local celebration has been set for Friday, September 16, 2022.
Littoral Society in the News Tagged striped bass re-captured after 18 years When a former Jamestown resident checked his Pennsylvania mailbox, he wasn’t expecting a letter explaining that a striped bass he caught 18 years ago had been recaptured off Block Island.
“I was quite surprised, quite pleased and quite elated,” Tom McCandless said. “Honestly, when I received that letter, I thought for sure it was a request for a donation.”
From 1992 until 2006, Mc- Candless volunteered with a fish-tagging program for the American Littoral Society, which uses the data for scientific research. The striped bass that had been recaptured June 12 was the same one he caught near the East Ferry landing Oct. 23, 2003. When McCandless caught the bass, it was 17 inches long; it had grown to 38 inches. He said the timeframe between catches could be a record.
“I can’t imagine any being out longer. Most of them, I’m told, are returned in three or four years, maybe up to 10. But 18 years? I just hadn’t heard of that before.”
Click here to read more at The Jamestown Press Eating oysters? Why you shouldn't throw out the shells in NJ The New Jersey shoreline continues to face tremendous challenges often associated with climate change, rising sea levels, beach erosion and increased storms.
That's why the American Littoral Society wants to protect these areas as well natural parts of the bay and natural habitats for fish and birds with natural materials.
Executive Director Tim Dillingham says one technique is to rebuild oyster reefs and reintroduce oysters back into New Jersey's waters.
Not only do oyster reefs filter water and control water pollution, but they also provide habitat for many marine animals and act as speed bumps and barriers to storms and waves, he said.
Click here to read more at NJ 101.5
Rumson Earns Highest Sustainability Certification With more sustainable practices under its belt than ever, Rumson Borough has been deemed a silver-certified municipality by Sustainable Jersey.
The recent achievement was awarded to the borough just two years after it joined the certification program through Sustainable Jersey, a nonprofit that helps communities statewide pursue key sustainable practices. It’s the highest rank municipalities can earn, said Kristen Hall, chair of the Rumson Environmental Commission.
“We are so proud of our town for its incredible effort to become more sustainable and, in the process, achieve the silver level certification for Sustainable Jersey. We join only three other municipalities in Monmouth County – Red Bank, Middletown and Asbury Park – to achieve this honor and we are particularly proud of our achievement given we are such a relatively small community in comparison,” said Hall. “Small but mighty.”
Click here to read more in The Two Rivers Times Could ‘living shorelines’ aid communities at risk of flooding? Sea level rise, driven by climate change, is shrinking beaches up and down the Jersey Shore. But the damage isn’t limited to the oceanfront. The quiet bays tucked behind New Jersey’s barrier islands are also seeing the water creep up. That leaves bayside communities more vulnerable to flooding in future storms. But “living shorelines” could be a new form of protection, and a massive new project in Ocean County is a prime example. The project uses natural infrastructure to mitigate coastal flooding and beach erosion.
Click here to read more in NJ Spotlight News
JOIN US Membership, Renew or Join Today! Your loyalty and support enable us to continue to protect and care for the coast. Your membership supports marine science education programs for thousands of students, protecting and restoring marine life and habitat, and our efforts to defend the coast from harm. Show Your Support with Littoral Society Gear There are more ways than ever to show your support for the American Littoral Society. Now available at the Society online store are short-sleeve t-shirts in multiple designs/colors, as well as long-sleeve t's and baseball caps with the Society's name and/or logo.
More Littoral Merch Available at Bonfire You can support the Littoral Society by purchasing our official merchandise through our store on Bonfire.com. All proceeds support coastal conservation!
Bonfire is a free online platform where anyone can design, sell, and buy custom products. We handle payment processing, order fulfillment, and customer service so you can focus on connecting with your community.
Remember the Coast Make sure that our coast remains a home for the coastal wildlife you love. A bequest to the American Littoral Society is a generous and straightforward way to care for the coast. This can be expressed in a will as simply as, “I bequeath [a sum of money, a percentage of my estate, or an IRA, life insurance policy, or investment/bank account] to the American Littoral Society, 18 Hartshorne Drive, Suite 1, Highlands, NJ 07732.”
Consult with your attorney to determine what is best for your situation.
To learn more about planning a gift for the Society, contact Director of Development Hillary Critelli at 732-291-0055 or Hillary.critelli@littoralsociety.org. Other Ways to Support the Society Your membership donation helps the Society reach its fundraising goals to keep our coast safe and healthy. It also helps our staff create new and exciting ways to connect you with the coast even if we can't be there physically together. If you would like to go above and beyond membership, please explore these other ways you can help the Littoral Society continue to care for the coast.
Our Contact Information
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December Littoral News December 1, 2021 Annual Appeal December marks a time of giving – giving thanks for the bounties of life; giving gifts to express feelings of love, friendship and kindness; and very often, giving to the causes that are nearest and dearest to your heart.
Every year at this time, the American Littoral Society embarks on the “Annual Appeal” – a year-end giving campaign to that allows the Society to start the year with the resources needed to continue its programs.
A recent report published by Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE) noted that 40% of the US population lives along estuaries – that’s you! You live, work, and play in the exact areas the American Littoral Society works to restore, protect, and conserve.
Climate change threatens all we value at the coast. Natural solutions to climate impacts - such as oyster reefs, rain gardens, and marshes - are important to the future of coastal economies, and you can help make them possible. For every $1 invested in climate change mitigation, $6 is saved in recovery. This investment, your investment, can help avoid human suffering and improve habitats.
If you have already replied to the letter from Tim you received in your mailbox, thank you! If you have donated online, thank you! If you participated in GivingTuesday on Tuesday, November 30, thank you!
If you haven’t donated to the Annual Appeal yet, please make a donation today to preserve and protect your littoral zones.
COMING UP EarthShare NJ Blues Saturday, December 4 6:00 p.m. to end of show The Stanhope House 45 Main Street Stanhope, NJ
Join us for a blues concert for a greener tomorrow! EarthShare NJ Blues will be emceed by Tom Kaminski, WCBS helicopter traffic reporter, and will feature live performances by Tad Schaefer & The Troublemakers, The Incinerators, Lew Gatewood, and Chuck Lambert.
Proceeds support environmental nonprofits, including the American Littoral Society. Winter Solstice Walk Tuesday, December 21
Northeast Chapter Holiday Party Saturday, December 11 6 - 8 p.m. Via Zoom
This holiday season, join us for a virtual Northeast Chapter Holiday Party via Zoom.
There will be an "Ugly Auction," lots of information about Littoral Society projects and activities, and fun entertainment. If you would like to donate an Ugly Auction item, please contact Don@littoralsociety.org or call 917-371-8577.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Forked River Beach Living Shoreline Volunteer Work Days Every Day Except Sunday Until Saturday, December 18 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 1818 Beach Boulevard Forked River Beach, NJ. The American Littoral Society needs volunteers daily, Monday to Saturday, to assemble the baskets that will be used to build oyster reef segments off Forked River Beach.
Saturdays will be dedicated to engaging students from local schools and universities - but all are welcome! Students from Kean University are able to get credit for participation in the project. Ask on site for details.
Staff and trained volunteers will guide you through the work, which will continue all segments have been assembled.
Dress to get dirty and wear closed toed shoes. Gloves, safety glasses, and tools will be provided.
New Year's Day Beach Walks in NY and NJ What's the best way to ring in the New Year? With a walk on the beach. Which is why we're happy to announce that in-person New Year's Day walks are back in both NY and NJ.
Last year's excursions were halted due to COVID restrictions, but this year the American Littoral Society will be hosting one on Sandy Hook, NJ and another at Ft. Tilden, NY on Saturday, January 1. New York New Year's Day Walk Saturday, January 1 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. The Little Church Just inside Fort Tilden's 169th Street Entrance Queens, NY Free, Click here to Register
Celebrate the new year with a brisk walk along the beach. Meet at the little church just inside the 169th street entrance to Fort Tilden (note the Main gate will be closed).
We'll hike along the beach and visit the hawk watch platform on top of Battery Harris east.
At noon we'll try to communicate with the Littoral Society group hiking across the bight at Sandy Hook.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own snacks and water. Access to buildings may be limited due to National Park Service COVID precautions. Participants who are unvaccinated should wear a mask and anyone who has been recently exposed to COVID should stay home. Sandy Hook New Year's Day Walk Saturday, January 1 Gateway National Recreation Area Littoral Society Headquarters GPS: Building 18 on Officers Row Highlands, NJ
Help us ring in the new year with a brisk walk to the tip of Sandy Hook.
When we get there, we will attempt to signal the group hiking with the Northeast Chapter to the end of Breezy Point.
Access to buildings may be limited due to National Park Service COVID precautions. Participants who are unvaccinated should wear a mask and anyone who has been recently exposed to COVID should stay home. POLICY UPDATES & LITTORAL HAPPENINGS From Littoral Society Executive Director Tim Dillingham Dredging for Oyster Port Benefits Horseshoe Crab and Shorebird habitats
Click here to read more on additional topics, including the Technology Transfer Workshop with Restore America's Estuaries, the Society's concerns with back bay flood control structures proposed for the Atlantic coast, and our call for rigorous review of tax-payer funded beach nourishment projects in towns which have a history of blocking public access to the shoreline.
FISH TAGGING PROGRAM NEWS Littoral Society Appoints New Fish Tagging Program Director Join us in welcoming Emily McGuckin as the new American Littoral Society Fish Tagging Program Director.
A 2018 graduate of Stockton University, Emily earned a degree in Marine Science, with a minor in Environmental Science. Immediately after graduating, she went on to become a Fish Tagging Intern, working with Jeff Dement, the Littoral Society's former Fish Tagging Director.
After the internship, she continued to volunteer with the Fish Tagging Program over the years. When Jeff Dement passed away in January 2021, she stepped into his role as a volunteer and continued to help with the program until officially hired to the Fish Tagging Director’s position in September 2021.
Emily is really looking forward to improving on Jeff’s already amazing program and hopes to help the program grow scientifically as well as through membership. She really loves marine ecosystems and thinks it important to keep updating our scientific knowledge of fisheries, especially now, knowing that sea temperatures are changing. Understanding how different fisheries are doing along the East Coast helps the program advocate for issues important to the recreational fishing community and for the fish themselves.
She is always interested in any ideas someone might have to improve the program. If you'd like to become a fish tagging member or receive more information about the program, please email Emily at Emily.McGuckin@littoralsociety.org.
NORTHEAST CHAPTER NEWS Thank You from the NY State Beach Cleanup We wanted to send our gratitude to all the hard working volunteers, beach captains and community partners that participated in the American Littoral Society's 2021 New York State Beach cleanup.
The International Coastal Cleanup day in September was a great success and we are still getting results coming in. Over 50 cleanup sites participated this year, with hundreds of volunteers removing over 10,000 pounds of marine debris from our shorelines in New York State.
A special thank you to those partners that helped support the effort this year: ConEdison, The Lily Auchincloss Foundation and Resorts World Casino NYC. Another great year would not have been possible without all of you!
Thank you!
WeLuvU Foundation Cleans Up Broad Channel Park Jamaica Bay's Sunset Cove received a thorough cleaning on Sunday, November 21, by an army of smiling volunteers from the WeLuvU Foundation. The group descended on Broad Channel to remove shoreline debris from the cove and adjacent American Ballfield park.
RESTORATION PROGRAM NEWS Volunteers Key to Success of Forked River Reef Construction After months of delay due to supply chain issues, the work at Forked River Beach finally got underway in early November with the delivery of materials for building offshore reefs. Called HESCOs, these galvanized wire baskets will be put together by volunteers, then carried by barge to the reef site and filled with stone (to anchor them) and shell (to give oysters a home).
Education Program News Littoral Society Partners with Urban Promise in Bringing SeaQuest to Camden Students What did your kids do at school this week?
If you were a 6th or 7th grader at UrbanPromise you would have been knee deep in the Cooper River Lake!
As part of our environmental education focus, UrbanPromise has teamed up with the American Littoral Society for their SeaQuest program, a 6-week course focusing on the coastlines and the organisms that live there.
As part of that, students took part in a fish survey on Cooper River Lake, which involved using a seine net to collect fish and examined them. Students then discussed their observations of the fish and if they thought their environment and living conditions were healthy.
The SeaQuest program is designed around the idea that everyone deserves a connection with the environment in their backyard. Education is foundational to having SAFE (Swimmable, Accessible, Fishable, Equitable) waters along the Delaware in Camden, Philadelphia, and Chester.
Delaware Bay Program News Bridgeton School Rain Gardens Improve Water in Delaware Bay After being mulched and planted, the rain gardens at Bridgeton’s Indian Avenue School are now working to improve water quality in the Delaware Bay.
LITTORAL SOCIETY JOBS Littoral Society Seeks Shuck It, Don't Chuck It Program Coordinator The program coordinator of the Shuck It, Don't Chuck It program will be responsible for and expected to assist in coordinating the shell recycling program by growing the participation, collecting data, transporting recycled shell, forming relationships, speaking on behalf of the program/society at outreach and educational events and working with our associated partners.
This is a 2-year full-time position with the American Littoral Society. and is funded for September 2021 through August 31, 2023. Salary is $38,000 per year.
Littoral Society Seeks Development and Communications Associate The Development and Communications Associate will support the overall fundraising efforts of the American Littoral Society. The Associate provides administrative and operational support to the Development and Communications team and the organization as a whole. This position is a great opportunity to learn and grow the skills needed to be a non-profit fundraising professional.
SAVE THE DATE Montauk Winter Weekend: Seals, Seabirds, and Sand Dunes Thursday thru Sunday January 7-9 Manor House 236 Edgemere Street Montauk, NY $495/person (double occupancy) Single supplement, $100 extra
Enjoy a weekend at the eastern tip of Long Island during peak winter birding time. See many species of sea ducks including Loons, Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders, and more. Hike the "Walking Dunes," Napeague Dunes and beach, and Montauk Bluffs, as well as visit the seal haulout site.
Cost includes two nights lodging at the luxurious Manor House (which has a heated pool and jacuzzi), a welcome dinner, evening programs/star watch, and five easy guided hikes to beautiful woods, dunes, shorelines, and vistas.
For more info and reservations call (917) 371-8577 or email: don@littoralsociety.org.
Save the Date for Littorally Local 2022 We know a year is a long time to look ahead, but the Littoral Society is excited to announce that the date for next year’s Littorally Local celebration has been set for Saturday, September 17, 2022.
Littoral Society in the News ‘Biggest of its kind’ — living shoreline project to save Barnegat Bay beachfront For the past eight years, the Highlands-based American Littoral Society and partner Stockton University, along with concerned community members, have been quietly bringing to life a living shoreline project on Barnegat Bay. When completed, according to the society’s Executive Director Tim Dillingham, it will be “the biggest of its kind going on in New Jersey, so far.”
In November, the first of 168 four-by-three-foot, rock-filled, steel-wire cages were dropped into the water off the Lacey Township community of Forked River Beach. With three barges and three excavators, workers and volunteers have until the end of December to transform 1,000 tons of rock into seven, 200-foot-long reefs, arranged in a sawtooth pattern between 100 and 200 feet off the beach. Next year, crews will return to fill the exterior pockets that have been added to the cages with recycled whelk, clam and oyster shells. HESCO, the company that manufactures the cages, also specializes in body armor and “accommodation bunkers” to keep personnel safe in hostile territory.
“This is truly a community-based restoration project that’s been a partnership between volunteers, private, public, and nonprofit entities from the beginning,” said the Littoral Society’s Captain Al Modjeski, who is leading the effort, officially called the Forked River Beach Living Shoreline Project. “The hope is this can be used as a model for other projects in Barnegat Bay and beyond.”
Click here to read more in NJ Spotlight
Traveling Does The Heart Some Good
In November, Tracey Hall visited Chincoteague and Assateague on a Littoral Society trip led by Don Riepe, our Northeast Chapter Director. She wrote about it for Jersey Shore Scene, a collaborative website written by locals about the thriving lifestyle along the shore.
I always say we live in the best place in the world, the Jersey Shore, but sometimes the heart needs an awakening and travel holds the key! So many of my readers share their posts of adventures and it’s heartwarming to know that opening yourself up to something new and exciting is a value we all share.
I had the opportunity last week to take a trip off of my bucket list by going to Chincoteague and Assateague VA. Though not far from home, it’s a bit of God’s country as the locals there call it.
Why? As far as the eye can see, there are vast vistas of beach, dunes, trails, waterways, water-fowl, native species and of course, the wild ponies.
The excursion was offered by one of my favorite non-profits, The American Littoral Society who tirelessly work to enlighten us and help preserve our environment.
Click here to read more at Jersey Shore Scene Van Drew touts new 'Stronger Shores' effort in Atlantic City ATLANTIC CITY — In the shadow of the Murden, a 156-foot Army Corps of Engineers shallow draft dredge, U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew on Tuesday joined military officials and locals to announce a wide-ranging initiative he’s calling “Stronger Shores.”
It will encompass the pending dredging of the mouth of the Maurice River, as well as longer-term efforts such as dredging of back bays and shipping routes from Cape May to north of Atlantic City.
“Stronger Shores is not a single project or policy,” said Van Drew, R-2nd. “Rather it is a policy campaign which will consist of many projects and policy initiatives and protect our way of life.”
The total cost of the projects outlined Tuesday would be in the billions of dollars. Much of that funding could come from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Van Drew said after the event Tuesday.
[The Littoral Society is involved in the project at the mouth of the Maurice River.]
Click here to read more in The Press of Atlantic City
Jamaica Bay site restored and reinforced Project protects West Pond, trail and shoreline The West Pond Loop at Jamaica Bay is reopened to the public, boasting nine acres of restored habitat and 200,000 new native plants.
The trail was closed so the West Pond Living Shoreline Restoration Project could be completed and a ceremony on Friday marked the reopening. “It’s been quite the journey to get here since Hurricane Sandy breached the pond just over nine years ago,” said Jennifer Nersesian, superintendent of Gateway National Recreation Area.
Superstorm Sandy caused a breach on the border of the manmade West Pond, allowing saltwater to flow in and contaminate the previously freshwater basin, killing wildlife and vegetation.
...
The Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers were instrumental in advocating for the site, as were the American Littoral Society and NYC Audubon.
Click here to read more in The Queens Chronicle Plan for Oyster Reef Breakwater Off Lavallette Submitted to N.J. Officials A 65-foot long oyster reef is planned to be built in Barnegat Bay off the Lavallette boat ramp if approved by officials at the state Department of Environmental Protection.
The long-discussed plan, intended for its dual benefit of improving water quality and marine habitat while also restoring the adjacent shoreline and protecting the boat ramp from shoaling, was submitted to the DEP about two weeks ago. Officials are hopeful the reef, if approved, will also finally solve the shoaling issue at the West Point Island Bridge as well.
The borough has partnered with the American Littoral Society, an environmental conservation group, on the project, with the Littoral Society having been the party that formally submitted the application for development. The permit application calls for a 65-foot oyster reef that will extend perpendicular from the municipal bulkhead just north of the ramp. The reef will have its base formed by two rows of right Hesco units, a cage-like structure consisting of galvanized steel baskets that are filled with another material. Such units are common in flood-prone areas as well as in deployed military settings, where they are used for security and anti-rocket purposes.
Click here to read more in The Lavellette-Seaside Shorebeat
Volunteer Beach Cleaning Event Returns The New York Chapter of the American Littoral Society, the Town of North Hempstead and the Manhasset Bay Protection Committee and their partners would like to thank everyone who came out and made the beach clean-up a success. This year’s annual event saw 107 volunteers (adults, teens and kids) collect more than 200 pounds of trash. This year also saw the volunteer event happen in-person and at two simultaneous locations: Manorhaven Beach Town Park and, new this year, Bay Walk Park. Last year, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee decided to forego the in-person event and instead encouraged volunteers to clean-up on their own and report what they found.
This year’s crew picked up more than 2,000 individual pieces of trash. Tiny trash (glass, plastic and foam pieces less than 2.5cm in size) made up over 40 percent of what was collected. Plastic in general was also a major component of the clean-up, which included bottle caps, food wrappers and a large pile of shrink-wrap used to protect boats in winter.
Among the more interesting finds were a lawn chair, lots of construction debris and a deceased shark (likely dogfish). The largest number of volunteers were Girl Scouts from various Port Washington and Great Neck troops. Also on hand for the event were State Senator Anna Kaplan, State Assembly Member Gina Sillitti, Town Clerk Wayne Wink, Town Councilmember Viviana Russell, Town Councilmember Veronica Lurvey and Port Washington North Mayor Bob Weitzner.
Click here to read more in The Port Washington News A New, Natural Normal Nearly a decade after Hurricane Sandy, a stronger coast benefits wildlife and people in a changing climate
In late October 2012, near the end of hurricane season, Hurricane Sandy—1,000 miles wide, with winds up to 80 miles per hour—came ashore near Atlantic City, New Jersey. Its arrival during a full moon and high tide created record-breaking storm surge in parts of New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. Wind, rain, and surf from the “superstorm” led to 150 deaths and more than $65 billion in damages.
Any way you look at it, Sandy was a disaster. Nearly a decade later, the storm and how we responded to it have provided valuable lessons to help communities, state and federal land managers, and many others prepare for next time.
Following Sandy, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS] received $167 million in federal funding to rebuild and improve storm-damaged facilities and wildlife habitat and make the coast more resilient in the face of rising sea levels and more-frequent intense storms.
A resilient coast absorbs storm surge and wave energy, recovering quickly with little need for repair. It’s a place where wildlife and people thrive. Working with nature, we can create such a coast.
[The American Littoral Society is partnering with USFWS on several restoration projects along Delaware and Barnegat bays.]
Click here to read more from the US Fish & Wildlife Service
JOIN US Membership, Renew or Join Today! Your loyalty and support enable us to continue to protect and care for the coast. Your membership supports marine science education programs for thousands of students, protecting and restoring marine life and habitat, and our efforts to defend the coast from harm. Show Your Support with Littoral Society Gear There are more ways than ever to show your support for the American Littoral Society. Now available at the Society online store are short-sleeve t-shirts in multiple designs/colors, as well as long-sleeve t's and baseball caps with the Society's name and/or logo.
More Littoral Merch Available at Bonfire You can support the Littoral Society by purchasing our official merchandise through our store on Bonfire.com. All proceeds support coastal conservation!
Bonfire is a free online platform where anyone can design, sell, and buy custom products. We handle payment processing, order fulfillment, and customer service so you can focus on connecting with your community.
Remember the Coast Make sure that our coast remains a home for the coastal wildlife you love. A bequest to the American Littoral Society is a generous and straightforward way to care for the coast. This can be expressed in a will as simply as, “I bequeath [a sum of money, a percentage of my estate, or an IRA, life insurance policy, or investment/bank account] to the American Littoral Society, 18 Hartshorne Drive, Suite 1, Highlands, NJ 07732.”
Consult with your attorney to determine what is best for your situation.
To learn more about planning a gift for the Society, contact Director of Development Hillary Critelli at 732-291-0055 or Hillary.critelli@littoralsociety.org. Other Ways to Support the Society Your membership donation helps the Society reach its fundraising goals to keep our coast safe and healthy. It also helps our staff create new and exciting ways to connect you with the coast even if we can't be there physically together. If you would like to go above and beyond membership, please explore these other ways you can help the Littoral Society continue to care for the coast.
Our Contact Information
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November Littoral News November 1, 2021 2021 Lobster Run Coming up Soon Saturday, November 6 Start times begin at 9 a.m.
COMING UP Bradley Beach Sunset Planting Monday, November 1 5 - 6 p.m. On the Beach at Brinley Avenue and N. Ocean Avenue Bradley Beach, NJ Free
Enjoy a sunset while helping to enhance the beach by joining the Littoral Society to plant American Beach Grass and Seaside Goldenrod along the town's dunes.
All are welcome. We will keep planting until all the plugs are in the sand. Rain Barrel Make & Take Workshop Monday, November 4 7 - 9 p.m. Cumberland County Library 800 E Commerce Street Bridgeton, NJ Free, Click here to Register
Join the American Littoral Society to learn how to build a rain barrel for your home.
Rain barrels attach to your roof gutter and collect rain water to use in your garden and yard.
All participants will get to make a rain barrel to take home. Please indicate if you are attending with someone from the same household.
For more information email Lucia Ruggiero, Littoral Society Conservation Coordinator, at lucia@littoralsociety.org.
Zero Waste Workshop Wednesday, November 10 6 - 7:30 p.m. Meet at Littoral Society HQ First House on Officers Row in the Fort Hancock Section of Gateway National Recreation Area's Sandy Hook Unit GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands, NJ
Join American Littoral Society Education Director Nicole Haines for an in-person workshop that will cover ways to lessen your waste and live a more sustainable lifestyle.
In this workshop we will go over:
There will also be door prizes.
If you have any problems with registration or want more information about this event, please email Nicole.Haines@littoralsociety.org. Fall Surf Fishing Clinic Saturday, November 13 8 a.m. - Noon Meet at Littoral Society HQ First House on Officers Row in the Fort Hancock Section of Gateway National Recreation Area's Sandy Hook Unit GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands, NJ $30 for members $75 for nonmembers
Interested in learning the basics of surf fishing, including casting, knot tying, lure/bait selection and reading a beach? Join Emily McGuckin, Fish Tagging Director for the American Littoral Society, on a day of surf fishing and instruction on the beach.
All skill levels are welcome. Rods, reels and tackle will be provided, but bring your own if you have it. Children under 18 are welcome with a supervising adult.
Coffee and doughnuts will be provided but please bring your lunch.
Contact emily.mcguckin@littoralsociety.org for more information.
Forked River Beach Living Shoreline Volunteer Training Forked River Beach Living Shorelines Restoration Project 1818 Beach Boulevard Forked River Beach, NJ.
Winter Waterfowl Workshop Saturday, November 20 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge 175-10 Cross Bay Blvd Queens, NY Free, Click here to Register
Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife refuge for a hike around the east and West Ponds to look for migrating and wintering waterfowl with Littoral Society Northeast Chapter Director Don Riepe.
Don will talk about the biology and behavior of the many species of ducks and geese that spend winter in NYC.
Easy hiking, kids welcome. For more info contact: don@littoralsociety.org.
POLICY UPDATES & LITTORAL HAPPENINGS From Littoral Society Executive Director Tim Dillingham Great Turnout for Technology Transfer Workshop on Living Shorelines with RAE
NORTHEAST CHAPTER NEWS Jamaica Bay Raptorama Brings People to Birds of Prey Most people don’t realize it but raptors migrate in good numbers along the Rockaway peninsula this time of year. On Sunday, October 17 more than 120 people attended the Raptorama Festival, an annual event at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, which celebrates the fall transit of birds of prey through the greater New York City area.
Bobby Horvath, a fireman who rescues and rehabilitates raptors and other wildlife, brought 20 disabled raptors to show them ‘up close and personal’ to the delight of children (of all ages) in the crowd. Attending birds included a Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Barn Owl, Kestrel, and Augie, the very tame and beautiful Eurasian Eagle Owl.
Volunteer Dennis Guiney and Littoral Society Northeast Chapter Director Don Riepe were on hand to talk to people about each raptor’s biology and behavior.
RESTORATION PROGRAM NEWS Oyster Reef Project Gets Underway in Barnegat Bay Thanks to some recent deliveries, the Littoral Society is ready to begin a project along Forked River Beach in Lacey Township, NJ that will help reduce erosion at the site, while also improving water quality in Barnegat Bay.
Students from Kean University visit Shark River Island Living Shoreline Project On October 13 the American Littoral Society hosted an educational event for 10 Conservation Biology students from Kean University at our Shark River Island Living Shoreline, the Julie Shreck Maritime Forest in Bradley Beach, and at the dunes in Bradley Beach (which are part of the Society's Beach Grasses in Classes program).
Watch here as Capt. Al Modjeski, Habitat Restoration Program Manager for the Littoral Society, and Zack Royle, a Habitat Restoration Coordinator for the Society, talk about the living shorelines and the project at Shark River Island.
Education Program News Bradley Beach Students Bring Grasses in Classes to Dunes Children from Bradley Beach Elementary School environmental club came to their hometown beach on Tuesday Oct., 19 for a planting event as part of the American Littoral Society's Beach Grasses in Classes program.
Littoral Society Seeks Shuck It, Don't Chuck It Program Coordinator he program coordinator of the Shuck It, Don't Chuck It program will be responsible for and expected to assist in coordinating the shell recycling program by growing the participation, collecting data, transporting recycled shell, forming relationships, speaking on behalf of the program/society at outreach and educational events and working with our associated partners.
This is a 2-year full time position with the American Littoral Society. and is funded for September 2021 through August 31, 2023.
Spooky Walk Returns to Sandy Hook Dozens attended the return of the Littoral Society Spooky Walk on Sandy Hook. Last year's walk was virtual due to Covid 19 protocols.
This year the Society hosted two walks, a member's-only excursion on Thursday, Oct. 21, and an outing for the general public on Thursday, Oct. 28. Both walks reached or exceeded the 30-person limit.
Both walks were led by Emily McGuckin, the Society's new Fish Tagging Program Director. In addition to sharing some history Sandy Hook and its earthly inhabitants, she took advantage of the howling wind, slightly overcast skies, and slivers of the moon peering through to share a few spine-tingling tales of the park's other visitors.
Reports are that strange voices were heard calling from the darkness, weird glowing orbs were seen, and a few folks were startled by apparitions that may (or may not) have been a Littoral Society volunteer.
Thanks to everyone who made this year's Spooky Walks fun and exciting.
Delaware Bay Program News Restoration Corps Summer 2021 in Photos Every summer, young people in Cumberland County explore different green careers through the American Littoral Society’s Restoration Corps program. The summer internship program exposes youths to the wonderful parts of our South Jersey waterways, and provides education as well as hands-on training and experience in environmental stewardship and restoration.
This year was a bit different than previous years, for the obvious reasons but also in a few changes that were made to the program. We hired two interns, one in fall 2020 and the other in early 2021, who would spend the next few months getting an early start at the job so that they could be “crew leaders” when the rest of the group joined at the end of the school year.
SAVE THE DATE New Year's Day Walks are Back in NY and NJ What's the best way to ring in the New Year? With a walk on the beach. Which is why we're happy to announce that in-person New Year's Day walks are back in both NY and NJ.
Last year's excursions were halted due to Covid restrictions, but the year the American Littoral Society will be hosting one on Sandy Hook, NJ and another at Ft. Tilden, NY on Saturday, January 1.
The Sandy Hook walk will begin at Building 18 on Officers Row (Littoral Society HQ). Expect to walk about three miles. Dress for the weather.
Further details on each walk will be announced soon.
Save the Date for Littorally Local 2022 We know a year is a long time to look ahead, but the Littoral Society is excited to announce that the date for next year’s Littorally Local celebration has been set for Saturday, September 17, 2022.
We hope to see you this year’s cruise, but also hope you save the date to join us next year!
Littoral Society in the News 2021 Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for the Barnegat Bay – Little Egg Harbor Estuary The BBP has revised its long-term plan for protecting and restoring clean water and healthy living resources in the bay and its watershed. The 2021 Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for the Barnegat Bay – Little Egg Harbor Estuary is a roadmap for the agencies, organizations, and local communities working collectively to improve the condition of this nationally significant estuary.
Over the last 50 years, the watershed has experienced a tremendous increase in population and development, leading to increased pollution loads, stressed water supplies, and loss of fish and wildlife habitat. These changes in the bay’s condition have environmental, cultural, and economic impacts to local communities and the entire region.
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The 2021 CCMP establishes four main priority areas for action: water quality, water supply, living resources, and land use. For each priority, the plan specifies one or more goals, several objectives, and multiple actions to achieve those objectives. It also sets eight ecosystem targets – specific environmental outcomes which combine actions across multiple priorities and can be monitored to measure progress (e.g., increasing the acreage of key habitats, such as submerged aquatic vegetation, and increasing the number of hard clams in Little Egg Harbor).
The American Littoral Society is a member of the Barnegat Bay Partnership
4th Annual Raptorama Celebrates some of Jamaica Bay’s Most Incredible Residents This past Sunday, Oct. 17, the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, along with NYC Audubon and the American Littoral Society, held its 4th ever Raptorama. The event, spread between both the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and Fort Tilden, celebrated our bay’s various birds of prey.
“Many species of raptors call Jamaica Bay home and Raptorama is an exciting opportunity for the public to examine them up close while talking to experts about the birds,” said Alex Zablocki, Executive Director of the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy. “The Conservancy was thrilled to join our partners in welcoming the public back to the Wildlife Refuge to continue this tradition, and guide hundreds of visitors on walks and talks around Gateway National Recreation Area.”
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The events across Jamaica Bay included a bird demonstration from rehabilitator Bob Horvath, who showed off bird species from Ravens to Owls.
Across the water in Fort Tilden, Broad Channel resident and the American Littoral Society’s Jamaica Bay Program Director, Don Riepe, led a hawk walk tour through the park in search of some of the migratory birds stopping on the peninsula on their way south, much like Rockaway’s usual summer visitors. Although it was less than fruitful this time around, Riepe, who spoke to the Wave early Wednesday morning from the middle of Fort Tilden – where he had spotted several hawks that morning – was still pleased with how the day went.
Click here to read more in The Wave
What's Killing Hawks, Owls, Ducks And Squirrels In New York City Parks?
The dead, male, red-tailed hawk was discovered without any signs of significant trauma by a park-goer inside Washington Square Park in the spring of 2020.
A necropsy later confirmed the hawk was poisoned by pesticides, including lethal doses of difethialone and a trace of brodifacoum. In other words: rat poison — a frequent killer of birds of prey across New York City, biologists say.
"Over the years we have documented many red-tailed hawks and great horned owls dying from secondary anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning, this is a common diagnosis in red-tailed hawks submitted for examination from the New York City area," biologist Kevin Hynes wrote in the necropsy, which was obtained by THE CITY via a Freedom of Information Law request.
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Don Riepe, a wildlife expert and the Jamaica Bay program director for the American Littoral Society, said birds of prey like red-tailed hawks and great horned owls nest across the city, despite a concrete jungle of threats
New Yorkers "should use better methods, methods that are less impactful to the environment and to the birds," he said.
Click here to read more in NYC Patch RAE Issues New Report on the Value of America's Estuaries Since Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE) Published The Economic and Market Value of Coasts and Estuaries: What’s At Stake? in 2008 a lot has changed; providing grounds for optimism, concern, and a clear call to action.
The updated 2021 Report demonstrates there is some good news. We can mitigate the dire impacts of climate change by protecting and restoring our coasts. We also recognize the increased value natural-infrastructure has for coastal communities and the global economy. While estuaries only make up 4% of America’s total landmass, they are home to 40% of the U.S. population and produce 47% of the country’s GDP.
As we think about what we want to be as a society we should ask: what are fishing communities without fish? What are marshes without marsh grass? What is a beach holiday without sand and birds? Will we want to continue to live, work, and play along our coasts if we are constantly threatened by floods and storms? Now is the time to harness our collective spirit and ensure change happens and we protect who, what, and where we love.
The American Littoral Society is a member of Restore America's Estuaries.
JOIN US Membership, Renew or Join Today! Your loyalty and support enable us to continue to protect and care for the coast. Your membership supports marine science education programs for thousands of students, protecting and restoring marine life and habitat, and our efforts to defend the coast from harm. Show Your Support with Littoral Society Gear There are more ways than ever to show your support for the American Littoral Society. Now available at the Society online store are short-sleeve t-shirts in multiple designs/colors, as well as long-sleeve t's and baseball caps with the Society's name and/or logo.
More Littoral Merch Available at Bonfire You can support the Littoral Society by purchasing our official merchandise through our store on Bonfire.com. All proceeds support coastal conservation!
Bonfire is a free online platform where anyone can design, sell, and buy custom products. We handle payment processing, order fulfillment, and customer service so you can focus on connecting with your community.
Remember the Coast Make sure that our coast remains a home for the coastal wildlife you love. A bequest to the American Littoral Society is a generous and straightforward way to care for the coast. This can be expressed in a will as simply as, “I bequeath [a sum of money, a percentage of my estate, or an IRA, life insurance policy, or investment/bank account] to the American Littoral Society, 18 Hartshorne Drive, Suite 1, Highlands, NJ 07732.”
Consult with your attorney to determine what is best for your situation.
To learn more about planning a gift for the Society, contact Director of Development Hillary Critelli at 732-291-0055 or Hillary.critelli@littoralsociety.org. Other Ways to Support the Society Your membership donation helps the Society reach its fundraising goals to keep our coast safe and healthy. It also helps our staff create new and exciting ways to connect you with the coast even if we can't be there physically together. If you would like to go above and beyond membership, please explore these other ways you can help the Littoral Society continue to care for the coast.
Our Contact Information
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September Littoral News September 1, 2021 It's Time for LIttorally Local You are invited to join the Littorally Local Host Committee and Society Staff on Saturday, September 18, at 5:30 pm for dock-side cocktails, a sunset cruise on Sandy Hook Bay with commentary from local ecologists, and dinner onboard.
This year’s cruise will feature good food, great views, and brews from our good friends at Ross Brewing Company!
Don't have your boarding pass yet? Click here to reserve your place for this special event. Can't join us that evening? Register at no cost to be a Virtual Bidder in the online auction.
Since 1961, the American Littoral Society has been caring for the coast in New Jersey, New York and beyond. We see the beauty and feel the energy that draws you to coastal communities. With your support, we work to protect and restore that splendor.
Your help is needed to continue and expand that work. If you are unable to join us on September 18, please make a donation, fund-a-need, and bid in the online auction.
We're Floundering Without You The American Littoral Society is a membership based non-profit organization. Your membership gives us standing in court to protect access for all to beaches and waterways, gives us clout when we testify in Trenton and Washington, DC, and shows foundations and governments grassroots support for coastal conservation.
Be sure to renew your membership, or join for the first time, to continue to show your support for the Littoral Society!
COMING UP Sunset Seining Wednesday, September 8 6 - 8 p.m. Meet at Littoral Society HQ Gateway National Recreation Area Sandy Hook Unit 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands, NJ Cost: pay what you can
Discover the diverse wildlife inhabiting our coast. After a short talk on the Society’s front porch, you will drive over to Horseshoe Cove on Sandy Hook bay for a seining adventure.
Participants are invited to help pull our 40-foot seine net through the bay, and experience the excitement of learning about the fish and other critters caught.
Wear clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting wet. Judy Weston Memorial Nature Walk Sunday, September 12 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge 175-10 Cross Bay Blvd Queens, NY Free, Click to Register
Join the Littoral Society's Don Riepe for a special walk around the ponds and gardens of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.
Josh and Judy Weston have long been friends of the Littoral Society, as well as supporters the NY State Coastal Cleanup and R-Corp program. Judy passed away last year and we'd like to do something in honor of her love of all things littoral.
On the walk, we'll look for migrating warblers, shorebirds, and wading birds as well as monarchs and other butterflies.
For more info and directions call 718-474-0896 or E-mail: don@littoralsociety.org.
Wild Edibles Walk Wednesday, September 15 Meet at Littoral Society Headquarters GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands, NJ 6 - 8 p.m. Pay what you can
Join the American Littoral Society for a walk on Sandy Hook in search of wild edible plants growing throughout the park.
Wear comfortable shoes as we will walk roughly two miles as we forage and learn local ecology. Be prepared to try some of the wild plants during the walk, or afterwards as we will have small tastings prepared. Jeff Dement Memorial Fluke Tagging Trip Sunday, September 19 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. Out of Atlantic Highlands Marina 2 Simon Lake Drive Atlantic Highlands, NJ $90 per angler
Join the American Littoral Society's fish tagging program for a day of fishing and tagging in New Jersey waters in honor of Jeff Dement, who was the director of the fish tagging program until his death in January, 2021.
This trip is for experienced taggers and novices alike. If you've never tagged fish before, this is a great opportunity to learn from experienced taggers.
Cost includes boat ticket, all tackle, bait, and tags. If you have your own tackle, feel free to use it. Space is limited.
For more information, contact emily.mcguckin@littoralsociety.org or call 732-291-0055 X1007.
Jamaica Bay Pollinator/Monarch Festival Sunday, September 19 Fall Equinox Walk Wednesday, September 22 6 - 8 p.m. Meet at Littoral Society Headquarters GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands, NJ Free, Click to Register
Occurring twice a year, the Equinox signals the beginning of Spring and end of Summer.
Many cultures around the world celebrate the date because it is the only time when day and night are of equal length.
Participants will stroll through the local maritime forest and pause to watch a beautiful sunset. We may even try to balance that darn egg!
Public Lands Day Shoreline Cleanup Saturday, September 25 10 a.m. - Noon Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge 175-10 Cross Bay Blvd Queens, NY
Meet at the Jamaica Bay Refuge visitor center and we will go from there to cleanup sites.
Wear boots or old sneakers. We'll clean marine debris from the marsh and shoreline of the refuge. Amount and type of debris will be documented as part of the NY State Beach Cleanup.
This is a partnership program with the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, NYC Audubon, National Park Service, and the American Littoral Society. All participants must be vaccinated or show proof of recent covid test. Wear mask. Call 718-474-0896 or e-mail: don@littoralsociety.org for more info.
Bridgeton City Cleanup Saturday, September 25 Cleanup 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Celebration 3 - 6:30 p.m. Meet at the River Front for sign-in Between Broad and Commerce streets Bridgeton, NJ Free
We need your help to keep Bridgeton and the Cohansey River green and clean. Join the Littoral Society and partners for a day of work to make the city more beautiful.
Meet at the River Front to sign in, then depart with your group to clean up your area. Drop filled trash bags at the nearest corner. Water and cleaning supplies will be provided.
Come back together at 3 p.m. to celebrate.
Wear sneakers and bring a water bottle. Covid protocols will be followed:
2021 New York State Beach Cleanup The official 2021 International Coastal Cleanup season extends from August 1 through December 31. Join a group or start one of your own and document marine debris impacting the shorelines of New York State.
Go to the New York State Coastal Cleanup website for a list of beach cleanups scheduled in September and October. For more information, contact NYSBC@littoralsociety.org.
SAVE THE DATE Save the Date for Littorally Local 2022 We know a year is a long time to look ahead, but the Littoral Society is excited to announce that the date for next year’s Littorally Local celebration has been set for Saturday, September 17, 2022.
We hope to see you this year’s cruise, but also hope you save the date to join us next year!
Fort Tilden Hawk Walk Sunday, October 10 10 a.m. - Noon Fort Tilden Range Rd Breezy Point, NY Free, Click to Register
Meet at the little church in Fort Tilden. We will hike along the beach, dunes, and woodland trails to look for eagles, hawks, falcons, osprey, other raptors, and monarch butterflies as they migrate south along the coast. We will also visit the hawk watch platform on top of Battery Harris East.
The walk will be led by the Littoral Society's Don Riepe. Bring binoculars. Youngsters welcome. You must be vaccinated and wear a mask.
For more info and directions call 718-474-0896 or e-mail don@littoralsociety.org This is a partnership program with NYC Audubon. Jamaica Bay Raptorama Festival Saturday, October 16 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge 175-10 Cross Bay Blvd Queens, NY Free
Join the Littoral Society for a special program including LIVE raptors.
Participants will visit the refuge pond areas as well as Fort Tilden's 195th Street beach to look for migrating Sharpshinned and Cooper's Hawks, Peregrine Falcons, Northern Harriers, Kestrels, Merlins, and maybe a Bald Eagle or two. Lots of passerines should be migrating along the coastal barrier island as well.
For more information contact Littoral Soceity Northeast Chapter Director Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 or don@littoralsociety.org.
Chincoteague/Assateague Weekend Thursday thru Sunday November 4 - 7 Chincoteague, VA $595 (per person) $150 added for single occupancy * All participants must be vaccinated
Join the American Littoral Society for a fall weekend along the Delmarva coast. Birdwatchers are likely to see snow geese, widgeons, teals, ruddy ducks, loons, shovelers, eagles, late shorebirds, and maybe a surprise or two.
Mammals you might encounter include Sika deer, the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel, wild ponies, red fox and otters.
Cost includes three nights lodging at The Refuge Inn (double occupancy), 3-hour boat tour of island, 2-hour Safari bus tour of backwater marshes, welcome seafood dinner at a local restaurant, evening program and star watch, plus guided hikes at Chincoteague Refuge and Assateague National Seashore.
6th Annual Lobster Run Saturday, November 6 Start and finish: The Langosta Lounge 1000 Ocean Avenue and Second Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ
Get ready to hit the boards for the 6th Annual Lobster Run 5k to Care for the Coast. Register now at www.raceforum.com/lobster.to get a head start on fundraising for your team!
The Inn has an indoor heated pool, jacuzzi, sauna, exercise room, conference room and sun/star observation deck. Breakfasts at Inn included in price.
What to bring: Warm clothes (hat, gloves), shorts/etc. for warm weather (it can be in 60’s), raincoat, binoculars, bathing suit, flashlight. Let me know if you need a ride or want riders. Van rental if needed, add $150 per person shared cost.
For more info and reservations call 718-474-0896 or e-mail: don@littoralsociety.org.
NORTHEAST CHAPTER NEWS We Love U Foundation Removes Tons of Debris from Jamaica Bay Beach
The New York State Beach cleanup is underway! On Aug 29, the Littoral Society welcomed 230 volunteers from the We Love U Foundation, who removed over two tons of debris from the shoreline at Spring Creek!
Click the link to find a cleanup near you!
RESTORATION NEWS Public-Private Partnership Aims to Shore Up Eroded Area of Shark River Island Despite delays and weather issues, over 25 volunteers and local homeowners joined the Littoral Society on Saturday, August 21 to help restore a salt marsh and create a hybrid living shoreline on Shark River Island in Neptune Township, NJ.
"This area has suffered heavy erosion that not only impacts the condo owners but also the ecological community," said Capt. Al Modjeski, Habitat Restoration Program Director for the Littoral Society. "As our part of hybrid living shoreline, we planted nearly 2,000 plugs of native grasses in the eroded marsh to widen the storm buffer between the inlet and the island, planted some test plots within the concrete mattresses to soften those structures, and also planted native shrubs and grasses along the newly created upland berm to further establish a stronger, more resilient shoreline that relies on nature and provides new habitat."
Conservation Victory Littoral Society Applauds Deal to Preserve Cape May's Sewell Tract After nearly 30 years of lawsuits and negotiations, the dispute over 100 acres of privately-owned, environmentally sensitive wetlands in Cape May has finally been resolved, with the outcome guaranteeing the property won't be developed.
Littoral Society in the News 'Huge leap forward' for preservation of Delaware Bay wetlands The historic oyster fleet of Bivalve, located at the mouth of Cumberland County’s Maurice River, is one step closer to gaining better protection from the onslaught of rising water and eroding marshland.
Last year, a team led by the Highlands-based American Littoral Society was awarded $4.8 million in federal funds for the planning of a $12-million project that would see the construction of a rock revetment and breakwaters, along with oyster reefs, mussel beds, and other natural barriers, in areas around the mouth of the Maurice that have severely eroded in recent years.
That left team members on the hunt for another $7 million, which they were hoping to obtain through a state match. This month, they received word that they were halfway there: The state, tapping the recently passed budget, has earmarked $3.2 million in matching funds for the project. The allocation will allow for contract bidding and awarding, as well as the first phase of construction, to begin.
“That’s obviously a huge leap forward,” said Tim Dillingham, the Littoral Society’s executive director. “We have all the required state and federal permits in place, and now we have funding to allow us to get going.” Click here to read moreOn rafts, inner tubes and flamingoes, they promote Camden’s river On a warm August afternoon, a ragged raft of plastic flotation devices and other watercraft carrying around 40 people drifted slowly on the tide up a Delaware River channel between the Camden County riverfront and Petty’s Island, site of a former oil terminal.
Saturday’s gathering might have been mistaken for just a bunch of partiers out on the water for a few hours. But this was Floatopia, a rally designed to build support for improved public access to the Delaware River in a community that for generations has shunned the waterway as a recreational asset, and to press for the river’s continued cleanup.
To show their support for a more user-friendly river, participants lolled in the laps of inflatable flamingoes, unicorns and assorted plastic rings tied to kayaks and two floating docks, and steered by two motorized boats that provided some measure of control over the unwieldy flotilla.
Attendees included environmental and community activists; a county official; kayakers out for a paddle with their kids, and Camden residents who had heard about the event on social media and decided to give it a try. The event was the first since a test run two years ago.
Wetland Restoration
It’s been nearly a decade since the storm waters of Superstorm Sandy ravaged the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, punching its way into the West Pond and pulling enormous volumes of sand from the already eroded beaches along the park’s shore. In order to reverse the erosion and help ensure that the next storm won’t be nearly as damaging as the last, the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy has entered into a partnership with the National Parks Service to add 44,000 cubic yards of sand to the area near the former breach, and extend the shoreline back to its 1974 levels.
“This project will create acres of new habitat at the refuge while enhancing and protecting West Pond and the beloved loop trail,” said JBRPC Executive Director Alex Zablocki. “Construction of this innovative living shoreline project is only possible through partnership and the Conservancy recognizes the work of governmental agencies, elected officials and local organizations like the Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers and American Littoral Society for supporting the project through design and ensuring that the project be built in Jamaica Bay.”
Youth Hockey Team Jumps Into New York State Beach Cleanup On August 21 the Long Island Rebels 10U hockey team participated in the American Littoral Society 2021 NYS Beach Cleanup.
The team did a fantastic job removing 43.5 lbs of trash from our beautiful LI beaches. They found many cans, bottles, bottle caps, straws, styrofoam, plastic cups and even a shoe. Not only did the team collect the trash but they meticulously documented each item they collected as the Littoral Society accumulates that information and uses it to better understand what pollutants are in our oceans.
The team learned a great lesson about environmental responsibility and felt great about themselves and the work they had done. To celebrate their accomplishment immediately following the cleanup we had a pizza and pool party. It was a great experience for both the parents and kids.
Diners' discarded shells help establish new oyster colonies Shells discarded by diners are being collected, cleaned and dumped into waterways around the country and the world, where they form the basis of new oyster colonies
Communities, environmental groups and governments around the world have embraced oyster recycling and replanting in recent decades.
The effort reaches as far as Australia, where The Nature Conservancy's "Shuck, Don't Chuck" program recycles oysters to restore colonies in places including Port Phillip Bay.
In New Jersey, several such programs exist, including one run by the American Littoral Society and another by Long Beach Township.
U.S. Representatives Join Littoral Society and Upstream Alliance on the Delaware We had the privilege of helping American Littoral Society take out U.S. Representatives Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) and Congressman Brendan Boyle (PA-02) onto the Delaware River in the past few weeks. Thanks for your support of clean and accessible waterways!
JOIN US Membership, Renew or Join Today! Your loyalty and support enable us to continue to protect and care for the coast. Your membership supports marine science education programs for thousands of students, protecting and restoring marine life and habitat, and our efforts to defend the coast from harm. Show Your Support with Littoral Society Gear There are more ways than ever to show your support for the American Littoral Society. Now available at the Society online store are short-sleeve t-shirts in multiple designs/colors, as well as long-sleeve t's and baseball caps with the Society's name and/or logo.
More Littoral Merch Available at Bonfire You can support the Littoral Society by purchasing our official merchandise through our store on Bonfire.com. All proceeds support coastal conservation!
Bonfire is a free online platform where anyone can design, sell, and buy custom products. We handle payment processing, order fulfillment, and customer service so you can focus on connecting with your community.
Remember the Coast Make sure that our coast remains a home for the coastal wildlife you love. A bequest to the American Littoral Society is a generous and straightforward way to care for the coast. This can be expressed in a will as simply as, “I bequeath [a sum of money, a percentage of my estate, or an IRA, life insurance policy, or investment/bank account] to the American Littoral Society, 18 Hartshorne Drive, Suite 1, Highlands, NJ 07732.”
Consult with your attorney to determine what is best for your situation.
To learn more about planning a gift for the Society, contact Director of Development Hillary Critelli at 732-291-0055 or Hillary.critelli@littoralsociety.org. Other Ways to Support the Society Your membership donation helps the Society reach its fundraising goals to keep our coast safe and healthy. It also helps our staff create new and exciting ways to connect you with the coast even if we can't be there physically together. If you would like to go above and beyond membership, please explore these other ways you can help the Littoral Society continue to care for the coast.
Our Contact Information
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August Littoral News August 1, 2021 Saturday, Aug. 7 Noon - 4 p.m. Pyne Poynt Park 7th Street and Park Drive Camden, NJ BYO Floating Device
Join the Littoral Society and Upstream Alliance to support making the Delaware River swimmable and fishable. We will be rallying for clean water as we float through the Back Channel of the Delaware River.
We will launch from Pyne Poynt Park and drift up the channel, then back down after the tide changes at 1:30 p.m.
Bring your own inner tube, kayak, paddleboard, inflatable animal or other floatation device.
In the event rainfall makes waters not safe, the backup date is Sept. 18.
COMING UP Sunset Seining 6 - 8 p.m. Meet at Littoral Society HQ Gateway National Recreation Area Sandy Hook Unit 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands, NJ Cost: pay what you can
Discover the diverse wildlife inhabiting our coast. After a short talk on the Society’s front porch, you will drive over to Horseshoe Cove on Sandy Hook bay for a seining adventure.
Participants are invited to help pull our 40-foot seine net through the bay, and experience the excitement of learning about the fish and other critters caught.
Wear clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting wet.
Jamaica Bay Shorebird Festival Saturday, August 14 Begins at 11 a.m. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge 175-10 Cross Bay Blvd Queens, NY Free - Donation Requested
A day-long festival of activities including hikes to the East Pond, talks by shorebird experts, kids programs, and more. Learn about bird behavior, biology and how to identify shorebirds in the field.
This special program is in partnership with NYC Audubon and the American Littoral Society. For info contact Littoral Society Northeast Chapter Director Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 or email: don@littoralsociety.org.
Volunteers Needed: Living Shoreline Work NEW DATE: Saturday, August 14 4:30 - 8 p.m. Meet near 101 Seaview Court Neptune, NJ Free, Registration Required
Join the American Littoral Society to help with a living shoreline project along the Shark River. The event has been rescheduled from Aug. 7 due to an equipment issue and the tides.
Volunteers should dress to get muddy, while also bringing bug spray, sunscreen, and drinking water.
The plan is to plant approximately 900 plugs of marsh grass (spartina alterniflora) and create 0.15 acres of low marsh that is currently absent from the site. We will also be installing goose deterrents.
For more info, email info@littoralsociety.org. Cohansey River Cleanup Tuesday, August 24
Cape Ann Whale Watch Weekend
Thursday thru Sunday August 5 - 8 Gloucester, MA $595 (per person) * All participants must be vaccinated
Join the Littoral Society for a nature-packed extended weekend in Gloucester, MA. Cost includes three nights lodging (double occupancy), ½-day whale watch boat, Lobster dinner at Gloucester House, evening cruise on the Essex River, ½-day canoeing on the Ipswich River, plus scenic hike along shore at Halibut Point.
For more info and reservations call 718-474-0896 or e-mail: don@littoralsociety.org.
SAVE THE DATE Littorally Local Tickets to Go On Sale Tickets will go on sale on Friday, August 13, with a presale for members only starting August 6! The Littorally Local Event will take place Saturday, September 18.
Every day, you see the beauty and feel the energy of your coastal communities. With your support, the American Littoral Society works to protect and restore that splendor.
Your help is needed to continue and expand that work. Save the date for Littorally Local on September 18. Littorally Local is the Society’s annual fundraiser that celebrates everything the coast has to offer while raising funds support their efforts to protect it.
Annual Fluke Tagging Trip Survey We're coming up on the time of year when the Littoral Society Fish Tagging Program typically embarks on the Annual Fluke Tagging Trip.
The plan is to go out on the Mi-Jo out of Atlantic Highlands on Sunday September 19.
In order to plan the trip we would like to see how much interest there is in participating. Please let us know how interested you are by taking part in a simple poll.
To take the survey, click the link to go to Fish Tagging Program Facebook Page.
Jamaica Bay Pollinator/Monarch Festival Sunday, September 19 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge 175-10 Cross Bay Blvd Queens, NY Free
Come to the Jamaica Bay refuge and enjoy a hike around the ponds and gardens to look for butterflies, moths, bees, and other pollinators. Learn about the incredible migration of the Monarch Butterfly as well as visit the Pollinator Garden by the visitor center. Kids welcome.
For more info call 718-474-0896 or e-mail Northeast Chapter Director Don Riepe at: don@littoralsociety.org. Early Fall Nature Walk Sunday, September 12 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Further Details TBA Free
Join the Littoral Society's Northeast Chapter for a bird migration / Nature Hike dedicated to the loving memory of Judy Weston, a long-time supporter of Jamaica Bay Restoration work and the annual NY State Coastal Cleanup.
The walk will be led by Northeast Chapter Director Don Riepe.
6th Annual Lobster Run Saturday, November 6 Start and finish: The Langosta Lounge 1000 Ocean Avenue and Second Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ
Get ready to hit the boards for the 6th Annual Lobster Run 5k to Care for the Coast. Register now at www.raceforum.com/lobster.to get a head start on fundraising for your team! Chincoteague/Assateague Weekend Thursday thru Sunday November 4 - 7 Chincoteague, VA $595 (per person) * All participants must be vaccinated
Join the American Littoral Society for a fall weekend along the Delmarva coast. Birdwatchers are likely to see snow geese, widgeons, teals, ruddy ducks, loons, shovelers, eagles, late shorebirds, and maybe a surprise or two.
Mammals you might encounter include Sika deer, the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel, wild ponies, red fox and otters.
Cost includes three nights lodging (double occupancy), 3-hour boat tour of island, 2-hour Safari bus tour of back dune areas, welcome seafood dinner, evening program and star watch, plus guided hikes at Chincoteague Refuge and Assateague National Seashore.
For more info and reservations call 718-474-0896 or e-mail: don@littoralsociety.org.
NORTHEAST CHAPTER NEWS Jamaica Bay R-Corps Improves Park Trails
This month, the Citywide Trails Team has partnered with R-Corps to conduct trail construction and maintenance in Jamaica Bay Park, Queens. R-Corps is a crew of high school and college students jointly managed by the American Littoral Society and the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy.
Together, the NAC and the R-Corps crew worked on the blue trail, cutting down invasive plants like phragmites, mugwort, and mulberry. The team also removed debris from the length of the trail and constructed a new 100-foot section leading to a recently reforested section of the park.
RESTORATION NEWS 6th Annual Parade of Boats Carries Oyster Babies to New Home A celebratory crowd gathered on Ocean Gate, NJ's Wildwood Avenue Pier on Thursday, July 29. They turned out for the American Littoral Society's 6th Annual Parade of Boats.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS Littoral Society Education Outreach Coordinator Delivers Program at Little Sparks Technology Camp The Littoral Society's Zach Nickerson, Education Outreach Coordinator for our South Jersey office, makes an appearance at the Little Sparks Technology Camp to talk with students about how to tell the difference between clean and dirty water. Watch the video above or click the link for the whole story: http://ow.ly/Sd0w50FHlTo
Littoral Society Talks Critters, Creeks and Coasts at Cumberland County Library On Monday, July 26 the Littoral Society Restoration Corps and South Jersey Watersavers went to the NJ's Cumberland County Library to talk with kids about Critters, Creeks and Coasts. The hour-long program focused on freshwater benthic macroinvertebrates, rain barrels, and oyster reefs in the Delaware Bay.
Spat Tank Seeded in Preparation for Parade of Boats In preparation for our 6th Annual Parade of Boats, the Littoral Society restoration team delivered hundreds of thousands of oyster babies to our nursery on the Wildwood Avenue Pier in Ocean Gate, NJ.
JOIN US Membership, Renew or Join Today! Your loyalty and support enable us to continue to protect and care for the coast. Your membership supports marine science education programs for thousands of students, protecting and restoring marine life and habitat, and our efforts to defend the coast from harm. Show Your Support with Littoral Society Gear There are more ways than ever to show your support for the American Littoral Society. Now available at the Society online store are short-sleeve t-shirts in multiple designs/colors, as well as long-sleeve t's and baseball caps with the Society's name and/or logo.
More Littoral Merch Available at Bonfire You can support the Littoral Society by purchasing our official merchandise through our store on Bonfire.com. All proceeds support coastal conservation!
Bonfire is a free online platform where anyone can design, sell, and buy custom products. We handle payment processing, order fulfillment, and customer service so you can focus on connecting with your community.
Remember the Coast Make sure that our coast remains a home for the coastal wildlife you love. A bequest to the American Littoral Society is a generous and straightforward way to care for the coast. This can be expressed in a will as simply as, “I bequeath [a sum of money, a percentage of my estate, or an IRA, life insurance policy, or investment/bank account] to the American Littoral Society, 18 Hartshorne Drive, Suite 1, Highlands, NJ 07732.”
Consult with your attorney to determine what is best for your situation.
To learn more about planning a gift for the Society, contact Director of Development Hillary Critelli at 732-291-0055 or Hillary.critelli@littoralsociety.org. Other Ways to Support the Society Your membership donation helps the Society reach its fundraising goals to keep our coast safe and healthy. It also helps our staff create new and exciting ways to connect you with the coast even if we can't be there physically together. If you would like to go above and beyond membership, please explore these other ways you can help the Littoral Society continue to care for the coast.
Our Contact Information
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July Littoral News July 1, 2021 NJ State Senator Among Trio Honored at Members Day NJ State Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R-16) was recognized for his outstanding contributions to coastal conservation at the American Littoral Society Members Day on Saturday, June 26.
COMING UP Pledge to Go Plastic-Free in July!
From coffee cups and water bottles to grocery bags and food packaging, plastic is everywhere, choking our waterways and threatening the survival of our planet.
Until corporations stop taking advantage of our current throwaway culture of convenience and start investing in alternative ways to deliver their products, the best way to fight the plastic pollution crisis is to refuse, rethink, and reduce what we consume. You can start by participating in Plastic Free July, a global movement that empowers millions of people to choose a cleaner and healthier future through refusing single-use plastics for one whole month.
Whether you bring reusable bags with you the next time you go shopping, or use a reusable water bottle instead of purchasing a case of plastic ones, you can make a difference in combating this epidemic. Take the pledge today!
Click here to Take the Pledge!
4th Annual Jamaica Bay Festival Saturday, July 10 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. as well as activity locations and times
The Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, American Littoral Society and partners are excited to host the 4th Annual Jamaica Bay Festival, an In Your Neighborhood program on City of Water Day.
During the Festival, nature and water enthusiasts can paddle in the Kayak Parade, tour restoration sites, see wildlife, learn to fish, and go biking or sailing while enjoying the beauty of Jamaica Bay and the surrounding community.
The Jamaica Bay Festival celebrates those who share our vision to champion the spirit of the Jamaica Bay community, the unparalleled opportunities and the natural beauty of this urban tidal estuary.
Please visit www.JamaicaBayFestival.com for an up-to-date schedule, event registration and interactive map of activities.
City of Water Day goes beyond Jamaica Bay, involving activities and events all across New York City. Organized by the Waterfront Alliance and its partners, it is intended to raise awareness about the risk we all face from sea level rise and climate change and champion a climate resilient New York and New Jersey harbor.
Click here to learn more about City of Water Day and how you can participate.
Sunset Seining 6 - 7:30 p.m. Meet at Littoral Society HQ Gateway National Recreation Area Sandy Hook Unit 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands, NJ Cost: pay what you can
Discover the diverse wildlife inhabiting our coast. After a short talk on the Society’s front porch, you will drive over to Horseshoe Cove on Sandy Hook bay for a seining adventure.
Participants are invited to help pull our 40-foot seine net through the bay, and experience the excitement of learning about the fish and other critters caught.
Wear clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting wet.
Register for July 13 Event: https://www.littoralsociety.org/sunset-seining-july-13.html
Register for July 27 Event: https://www.littoralsociety.org/sunset-seining-july-27.html Zero Waste Workshop Thursday, July 15 Noon - 1 p.m. Pay what you can Virtual - Zoom link will be emailed to registrants
Join the American Littoral Society for a Zero Waste Workshop. In this session you will learn about how to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
The workshop will include:
If you have any problems with registration or want more information about this event, please email Nicole Haines, Education Director for the Littoral Society, at Nicole.Haines@littoralsociety.org.
Pine Barrens Canoe Trip Friday, July 16 9 - 2 p.m. Meet at Mick’s Pine Barren Canoe Rental 3107 County Rd 563 Chatsworth, NJ Cost: $50 per member, $60 per non-member
Join the American Littoral Society for a canoe trip down the tea-colored waters of the Wading River, where we will explore the world renowned Pine Barrens.
Discover the diversity of the Pine Barrens as your guides point out the native flora and fauna that can only be found in this unique habitat.
Trip is dependent on the water levels of the Wading River.
Children are welcome, but small children must be accompanied by a supervising adult. Life-jackets and transportation back to the parking area will be provided by the canoe company.
Allot three hours for the trip and lunch break, however recent rains may make the trip slightly shorter.
WHAT TO BRING: Wear shoes that can get wet (beach sandals or sneakers that can get wet), change of clothes (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). Pack your cell phones in a resealable plastic bag and keep it securely on you. Wild Edibles Plant Walk Wednesday, July 21 6 - 7:30 p.m. Meet at Littoral Society HQ Fort Hancock Section of Gateway National Recreation Area - Sandy Hook Unit 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands, NJ Pay What You Can
Join the American Littoral Society for an excursion on Sandy Hook to search for all different types of wild edible plants growing throughout the park.
We will meet on the porch of Building 18 (GPS: 18 Hartshorne Drive, Highlands, NJ 07732). Wear comfortable shoes as we will walk roughly 2 miles as we forage and learn local ecology.
Participants may be invited to try some of the wild plants during the walk or afterwards, as we will have small tastings prepared.
6th Annual Parade of Boats
Thursday, July 29 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Wildwood Avenue Pier Ocean Gate, NJ Free
Please join the American Littoral Society for our annual Parade of Boats to escort oyster babies to our reef site off Good Luck Point in Barnegat Bay.
Everyone is invited to join us on Wildwood Avenue Pier and anyone with a boat can join the parade.
Those who attend will get to look at oyster larvae growing on shell in our on-site spat tank, as well as learn about the life cycle of oysters, their history in New Jersey waters, and why our bays and estuaries benefit from their restoration.
The spat tank (aka our oyster nursery) and reef are part of Operation Oyster, a Littoral Society project aimed at putting oysters back into New Jersey's bays and tidal estuaries. Decades of pollution, accelerated by rampant development, have decimated New Jersey's natural oyster population. Oysters help keep water clean and and oyster reefs help protect the coastline. They are nature's water filters, each one is able to clean up to 50 gallons of water a day. Oyster reefs also serve as speed bumps for waves during storms.
Other partners in the Barnegat Bay project include Jenkinson’s Aquarium, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Stockton University, ReClam the Bay, Monmouth University, Parsons Mariculture, and the Barnegat Bay Partnership. The Littoral Society’s Operation Oyster initiative also involves work in the Delaware Bay and New Jersey’s Two Rivers area, as well as the “Shuck It, Don’t Chuck It” shell recycling program.
For more information or to Join the parade, contact Capt. Al Modjeski at 732-291-0055 or alek@littoralsociety.org.
SAVE THE DATE Volunteers Needed: Living Shoreline Work Saturday, August 7 1 - 4 p.m. Meet near 101 Seaview Court Neptune, NJ Free, Registration Required
Join the American Littoral Society to help with a living shoreline project along the Shark River.
Volunteers should dress to get muddy, while also bringing bug spray, sunscreen, and drinking water.
The plan is to plant approximately 900 plugs of marsh grass (spartina alterniflora) and create 0.15 acres of low marsh that is currently absent from the site. We will also be installing goose deterrents.
For more info, email info@littoralsociety.org. Jamaica Bay Shorebird Festival Saturday, August 14 Begins at 11 a.m. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge 175-10 Cross Bay Blvd Queens, NY Free - Donation Requested
A day-long festival of activities including hikes to the East Pond, talks by shorebird experts, kids programs, and more. Learn about bird behavior, biology and how to identify shorebirds in the field.
This special program is in partnership with NYC Audubon and the American Littoral Society. For info contact Littoral Society Northeast Chapter Director Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 or email: don@littoralsociety.org.
Cape Ann Whale Watch Weekend Thursday thru Sunday August 5 - 8 Gloucester, MA $595 (per person) * All participants must be vaccinated
Join the Littoral Society for a nature-packed extended weekend in Gloucester, MA. Cost includes three nights lodging (double occupancy), ½-day whale watch boat, Lobster dinner at Gloucester House, evening cruise on the Essex River, ½-day canoeing on the Ipswich River, plus scenic hike along shore at Halibut Point.
For more info and reservations call 718-474-0896 or e-mail: don@littoralsociety.org. Chincoteague/Assateague Weekend Thursday thru Sunday November 4 - 7 Chincoteague, VA $595 (per person) * All participants must be vaccinated
Join the American Littoral Society for a fall weekend along the Delmarva coast. Birdwatchers are likely to see snow geese, widgeons, teals, ruddy ducks, loons, shovelers, eagles, late shorebirds, and maybe a surprise or two.
Mammals you might encounter include Sika deer, the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel, wild ponies, red fox and otters.
Cost includes three nights lodging (double occupancy), 3-hour boat tour of island, 2-hour Safari bus tour of back dune areas, welcome seafood dinner, evening program and star watch, plus guided hikes at Chincoteague Refuge and Assateague National Seashore.
For more info and reservations call 718-474-0896 or e-mail: don@littoralsociety.org.
6th Annual Lobster Run Saturday, November 6 Start and finish: The Langosta Lounge 1000 Ocean Avenue and Second Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ
Get ready to hit the boards for the 6th Annual Lobster Run 5k to Care for the Coast. Register now at www.raceforum.com/lobster.to get a head start on fundraising for your team! Littorally Local Saturday, September 18
The Littorally Local Host Committee is looking for new members! Join a team of committed community members who help spread the word about the event, invite their networks to participate, and solicit auction items. If you’re interested in joining the committee or donating to the virtual auction, please contact Hillary Critelli at Hillary.critelli@littoralsociety.org.
NORTHEAST CHAPTER NEWS Jamaica Bay Guardian Sights Poachers in Wildlife Refuge
When a group of lights is visible in Jamaica Bay during certain times of the year, chances are it's poachers.
Jamaica Bay Guardian and Littoral Society Northeast Chapter Director Don Riepe saw these lights around 1:30 a.m. in early June. He called National Park Service police, who issued more than 20 citations to people illegally taking diamondback terrapins from Jamaica Bay Refuge.
RESTORATION NEWS NJ Rep. Pallone Reintroduces The Living Shorelines Act On June 29, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) and Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) announced legislation to help protect coastal communities from sea level rise and stronger storms caused by climate change.
The Living Shorelines Act of 2021 would create two federal grant programs through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. One program will assist states, localities and non-governmental organizations in constructing living shorelines. The second program will provide federal research grants to eligible entities to study living shoreline development and effectiveness to better protect coastal communities and ecosystems from climate change. In 2019, Pallone highlighted a living shoreline project that is already strengthening the coastline in New Jersey.
"We applaud Congressman Pallone and Senators Murphy, Padilla, and Blumenthal for their vision and leadership on this critical coastal conservation issue,” said Tim Dillingham, of the Littoral Society. “This bill will provide essential support for research to advance living shoreline approaches, and the trust fund will support real projects to protect property and the environment, as well as showcase the effectiveness of living shorelines. We applaud Congressman Pallone and Senators Murphy, Padilla, and Blumenthal for their vision and leadership on this critical coastal conservation issue.”
Destination Anywhere Visits Beach Restored by Littoral Society
An episode of Destination Anywhere explored the story of Thompsons Beach. Located in Cumberland County, NJ, Thompsons Beach was once a thriving beach community during the middle to late 20th century.
Sadly, after a series of battles with Mother Nature, Thompsons Beach was eventually abandoned and now there are just a few piles of rubble that serve as a reminder of its glory days.
However, in 2018, the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) designated Thompsons Beach the Best Restored Beach in the United States. The Littoral Society and partners began work to restore the beach - for horseshoe crabs and migratory shorebirds - following Hurricane Sandy.
In addition to removing 965 tons of rubble, the Society led efforts to replenish the beach with over 52,000 tons of sand and construct an intertidal oyster reef to keep the sand from eroding.
Click here to learn more about the Littoral Society's work on Thompsons Beach and our work along New Jersey's Delaware Bayshore.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS The Littoral Society Applauds Reintroduction of The Environmental Justice Legacy Pollution Cleanup Act In early June, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Congressman A. Donald McEachin (D-VA) reintroduced the Environmental Justice Legacy Pollution Cleanup Act, a bill aimed at eliminating pollution that has disproportionately harmed communities of color, Indigenous communities, and low-income communities for generations.
Horseshoe Crab Webinar In case you missed it: Did you know that horseshoe crabs predate the dinosaurs and that they’re medical saviors?
Join The American Littoral Society for a webinar about these fascinating, ancient creatures. We’ll learn about their lifecycle, when and where they lay their eggs, when best to spot them, and even the importance of their blood to humans.
The webinar will wrap up with a question-and-answer session, which will include information on volunteer opportunities.
JOIN US Buy a Sticker for Jeff In January, the Littoral Society unexpectedly lost a member of our family: long-time Fish Tagging Director Jeff Dement. To memorialize Jeff and his contributions to the Society and fish tagging, one of his former interns (Sam Glover) created a sticker that can be purchased online. $2 from each sale will be donated to the Society in support of the Fish Tagging Program.
Membership, Renew or Join Today! Your loyalty and support enable us to continue to protect and care for the coast. Your membership supports marine science education programs for thousands of students, protecting and restoring marine life and habitat, and our efforts to defend the coast from harm. Show Your Support with Littoral Society Gear There are more ways than ever to show your support for the American Littoral Society. Now available at the Society online store are short-sleeve t-shirts in multiple designs/colors, as well as long-sleeve t's and baseball caps with the Society's name and/or logo.
More Littoral Merch Available at Bonfire You can support the Littoral Society by purchasing our official merchandise through our store on Bonfire.com. All proceeds support coastal conservation!
Bonfire is a free online platform where anyone can design, sell, and buy custom products. We handle payment processing, order fulfillment, and customer service so you can focus on connecting with your community.
Remember the Coast Make sure that our coast remains a home for the coastal wildlife you love. A bequest to the American Littoral Society is a generous and straightforward way to care for the coast. This can be expressed in a will as simply as, “I bequeath [a sum of money, a percentage of my estate, or an IRA, life insurance policy, or investment/bank account] to the American Littoral Society, 18 Hartshorne Drive, Suite 1, Highlands, NJ 07732.”
Consult with your attorney to determine what is best for your situation.
To learn more about planning a gift for the Society, contact Director of Development Hillary Critelli at 732-291-0055 or Hillary.critelli@littoralsociety.org. Other Ways to Support the Society Your membership donation helps the Society reach its fundraising goals to keep our coast safe and healthy. It also helps our staff create new and exciting ways to connect you with the coast even if we can't be there physically together. If you would like to go above and beyond membership, please explore these other ways you can help the Littoral Society continue to care for the coast.
Our Contact Information
|
June Littoral News June 1, 2021 Join us on Sandy Hook for Members Day on Saturday, June 26 Please join us for the annual Members Day celebration, Annual Meeting, and Board of Trustees election on Sandy Hook on Saturday, June 26!
We’re pleased to announce this year’s event will feature lunch provided by our new neighbor McFly’s on the Hook. McFly’s is located in the former Post Exchange (Building #53) of Fort Hancock and has coffee, snacks, and ice cream.
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.
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.
All current National Park Service, local, state and national COVID-19 restrictions and precautions must be observed at all times by Society staff, volunteers, and event attendees.
COMING UP Rally for the Rivers Eco-Fest Saturday, June 5 Rain date: Sunday, June 6 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Victory Park and River Road Rumson, NJ Free
Join eco-friendly organizations for a day of fun and environmentally- friendly activities. Hosted by Clean Ocean Action and the Rumson Environmental Commission, this free, family event is an environmental celebration of the Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers.
Fun and engaging activities at the Eco-Fest, provided by Rally for the Two Rivers partners, include seining, eco-friendly crafts, hands-on educational demonstrations, face painting, and more!
Participate in as many activities as possible to complete the Passport Challenge and unlock special rewards from local businesses, including free treats and big discounts!
Marsh Grass Planting in Jamaica Bay
Two Sessions Each Day Sunset Cove Park Meet at West 22nd Road & Shad Creek Road Broad Channel, NY Free Registration required
Join the American Littoral Society's Northeast Chapter, NYC Parks and NYC Audubon to help restore a saltwater marsh in Sunset Cove Park. Volunteers will be planting marsh grass, so please dress in clothes that can get dirty and close-toed shoes. We also encourage volunteers to bring their own water bottles.
Space is limited and registration is required. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a chaperone.
Urban wetlands provide a variety of benefits including improved water quality and storm water retention. They also serve as critical habitat for native wildlife.
Beach Cleanup at Spring Creek Park Saturday, June 5 8 a.m. – Noon Spring Creek Park 92nd Street 165th ave Queens, NY Free - Registration Required
Join the American Littoral Society and Abuela Neighborhood Maintenance for a beach cleanup at Spring Creek Park in Queens, NY. Meet inside the park, near the shoreline.
Participants should bring sunblock and a reusable water bottle, while wearing clothes they don't mind getting dirty.
The following will be provided for participants:
Click the registration link for more information. Blackwall Marsh Island Planting Saturday, June 12 Noon - 3 p.m. Meet at the American Littoral Society Northeast Chapter office 28 West 9th Road Broad Channel, NY Free Registration required (email: alexandra@littoralsociety.org for link) Limited to 30 volunteers
Since 2012, the American Littoral Society has been restoring marsh islands within Jamaica Bay. Through volunteer efforts, over 30 acres of critical habitat for resident and migratory fishes, shorebirds, and other wildlife that call Jamaica Bay their home have been restored.
Join NYC Audubon and the Society to help with the effort on one of these restored islands. Volunteers will meet at Society headquarters in Broad Channel and we will shuttle you on the "Jamaica Bay Guardian" boat to help with the planting of Spartina alterniflora grasses!
Volunteers should bring their own mask, water, lunch, and sun protection, wear sturdy comfortable closed-toed shoes (old sneakers are best), and a hat. Be prepared to get into the water as we drop you off on the island that will be planted. Provided boat transportation will get as close to the shore as possible, but time and tides will affect how close we can get; typically, you can expect to be walking through 1-3 feet of water.
Bring a change of clothes, or clothes that can get wet! The Society office will have a bathroom available for changing in and out of clothes. A limited number of waders are available for borrowing if you cannot get wet for any reason, medical or otherwise. The Society will provide masks and sanitizer to anyone that needs them.
Horseshoe Crab Walk - In Person Thursday, June 10 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Meet at Parking Lot B Gateway Recreational Area Sandy Hook Unit Highlands, NJ Free
Get up close and personal with a living fossil. Take an evening walk along Plum Island, Sandy Hook to look for spawning horseshoe crabs. Learn about an animal that has survived virtually unchanged for 400 million years.
Wear foot gear that can get wet. Great for families.
For more information, contact Nicole Haines, American Littoral Society Education Director, at Nicole.haines@littoralsociety.org.
We ask that you please adhere to all local, state and CDC COVID protocols, social distancing recommendations and mask wearing, as appropriate. World Ocean Day on Sandy Hook Saturday, June 12 Noon - 1:30 p.m. Littoral Society HQ 18 Hartshorne Drive Highlands, NJ Free
Join the American Littoral Society and Ocean Protection Advocacy Kids (OPAK) for a celebration of our Blue Planet in honor of World Ocean Day.
The two organizations will be handing out scavenger hunt kits that will surely get your whole family involved. Scavenger hunt kits can be picked up from Noon to 12:45 p.m. at the Littoral Society building on Officer's Row in the Fort Hancock Section of Gateway National Recreation Area's Sandy Hook Unit.
There will also be a database for you to post what you find during your scavenger hunt. This event is not to be missed!
Also, at 1 p.m. you can join the Littoral Society at Lot C – on the Bay side for an educational seine. This is a great opportunity to learn about the critters that live in Sandy Hook Bay and the Atlantic Ocean!
We ask that you please adhere to all local, state and CDC COVID protocols, social distancing recommendations and mask wearing, as appropriate.
What the Shell?! Webinar Wednesday, June 16 Noon - 1 p.m. Via Zoom
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!
Contact Littoral Society Education Director Nicole Haines for more information. Horseshoe Crabs: A Deep Dive Saturday, June 19 1 - 2 p.m. 790 E Commerce St Bridgeton, NJ Via Facebook Live stream Free, Registration is Required
Did you know that horseshoe crabs predate the dinosaurs and that they’re medical saviors? Join the Littoral Society's Quinn Whitesall for a live, family-friendly horseshoe crab lesson.
Quinn will bring a horseshoe crab or two and do a deep dive into the anatomy and significance of this pre-historic creature and will talk about the Littoral Society’s restoration efforts to protect habitat in the Delaware Bay.
Registration is required for this event. Register online at: https://forms.gle/k9ihn3SduCFwbVRE6 or by calling 856-453-2210 ext. 26105.
Shark River Horseshoe Crab Tagging Times depend on Tides Meet at Pavilion Memorial Park Riverview and Myron avenues Neptune City, NJ Free
Join the American Littoral Society for horseshoe crab tagging in and around the Shark River inlet. Groups will meet at the pavilion in Neptune City's Memorial Park. Schedule meeting times are 30 minutes prior to high tide in Shark River Hills to allow for training and assignment of beach.
Volunteers should dress to get wet, have a change of clothes, bug spray, and flashlights or head lamps. A limited amount of chest waders, drills, and bits will be available. A tagging packet containing data sheets, pens, ruler, clipboard or measuring board, health and safety form, tags, informational packets, and a membership brochure will be provided. Volunteers will be trained and learn about the biology and importance of horseshoe crabs prior to tagging live crabs.
The same beaches from past years will be surveyed to include Memorial Park Beach in Neptune City, L Street Beach in Belmar, the Marina on Riverside (2 sites), and S. Riverside Drive (2 sites). Only staff or experienced volunteers will be allowed to tag at the Hillside Avenue site. In all, up to 7 sites may be surveyed in 2021.
In the event restrictions associated with the COVID 19 Pandemic are still in effect, tagging may be cancelled, limited to staff only with a virtual component, or may still be limited and performed by a single group or persons that have been on lockdown together for at least 14 days or more. Each group or person will be responsible for one designated beach within Shark River Inlet over the survey duration. It is recommended that proper PPE be worn.
To receive tagging packets and a drill with bits contact Capt. Al Modjeski at alek@littoralsociety.org.
Check the Littoral Society calendar for other scheduled tagging dates.
NORTHEAST CHAPTER NEWS Virtual Jamaica Bay Horseshoe Crab Festival In case you missed it: The 5th Annual Jamaica Bay Horseshoe Crab Festival was held on Saturday, May 14. The festival offered both in-person and virtual attendance to those who wanting to lean more about the annual spawning ritual of horseshoe crabs. Tune into the virtual presentation for a taste of what you missed.
Live Horseshoe Crab Session at 5th Annual Horseshoe Crab Festival On Saturday, May 14, as part of the 5th Annual Horseshoe Crab Festival in Jamaica Bay, the American Littoral Society's Northeast Chapter and Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy hosted a Facebook Live look on Horseshoe Crabs in their natural environment. Tune in to learn about how horseshoe crabs live and why they're important to the bay's ecosystem.
Northeast Chapter R-Corps Install Marsh Grass and Pollinator Plants In May, the Littoral Society's Northeast Chapter R-Corps students were busy planting marsh grasses in Jamaica Bay. They also installed several thousand goldenrods at the B108th street boardwalk in Rockaway to support pollinator habitat.
RESTORATION NEWS Bradley Beach Maritime Forest Dedicated to Former Mayor In 2009, Bradley Beach had a parking lot at the northern end of Ocean Avenue. Almost 12 years later, that sandy lot has become a natural habitat for migrating birds and wildlife, serving also to protect Bradley’s residents from ocean surges and hurricane force winds.
Volunteers Wade Into Shoring Up Slade Dale Shoreline On Saturday, April 24, a group of hardy volunteers waded into the cold waters of Beaverdam Creek to place recycled Christmas trees between cribbing, where they will help reverse erosion that has been eating away at the shoreline of Slade Dale Nature Preserve for a century. The structures will help slow water flowing through the eroded area and capture sediment carried by the current. The shoreline has eroded approximately 300 feet since 1930, and almost all low marsh habitat has been lost.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS Delaware River Pollution Should Be a National Concern Call for clean water, justice and jobs in communities like Camden, Chester, Philadelphia and Wilmington BY TIM DILLINGHAM, ANDREW KRICUN, DON BAUGH | MAY 11, 2021
Our country faces a series of challenges that have exposed long-standing vulnerabilities to the health of our environment, our communities and our democracy. In addition, the American Society of Civil Engineers recently graded our nation’s drinking water infrastructure a C- and its wastewater infrastructure a D+, which represents entirely inadequate protection of the public health and the environment.
And, unfortunately, a significantly disproportionate burden of this infrastructure inadequacy directly impacts environmental justice communities such as Camden, Chester, Philadelphia and Wilmington. We believe very strongly that everyone, regardless of where they live and what they look like, is entitled to safe drinking water and clean waterways. Yet, the 27-mile stretch of the Delaware River that flows past these cities is the only section of this 300-mile river not designated for direct water contact by government agencies.
Vineland Park Benefits from Volunteer Maintenance On Saturday, April 14, nearly a dozen volunteers turned out to help fix tree tubes and remove invasive Japanese honey suckle at Giampietro Memorial Park in Vineland, NJ.
SAVE THE DATE 6th Annual Lobster Run Saturday, November 6 Start and finish: The Langosta Lounge 1000 Ocean Avenue and Second Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ
Get ready to hit the boards for the 6th Annual Lobster Run 5k to Care for the Coast. Register now to get a head start on fundraising for your team! Register now at www.raceforum.com/lobster. Littorally Local Saturday, September 18
The Littorally Local Host Committee is looking for new members! Join a team of committed community members who help spread the word about the event, invite their networks to participate, and solicit auction items. If you’re interested in joining the committee or donating to the virtual auction, please contact Hillary Critelli at Hillary.critelli@littoralsociety.org.
Cape Ann Whale Watch Weekend Thursday thru Sunday August 5 - 8 Gloucester, MA $595 (per person) * All participants must be vaccinated
Join the Littoral Society for a nature-packed extended weekend in Gloucester, MA. Cost includes three nights lodging (double occupancy), ½-day whale watch boat, Lobster dinner at Gloucester House, evening cruise on the Essex River, ½-day canoeing on the Ipswich River, plus scenic hike along shore at Halibut Point.
For more info and reservations call (718) 474-0896 or e-mail: don@littoralsociety.org. Chincoteague/Assateague Weekend Thursday thru Sunday November 4 - 7 Chincoteague, VA $595 (per person) * All participants must be vaccinated
Enjoy an extended Fall weekend along the Delmarva coast.
Join the American Littoral Society for a fall weekend along the Delmarva coast. Birdwatchers are likely to see snow geese, widgeons, teals, ruddy ducks, loons, shovelers, eagles, late shorebirds, and maybe a surprise or two.
Mammals you might encounter include Sika deer, the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel, wild ponies, red fox and otters.
Cost includes 3 nights lodging (double occupancy), 3-hour boat tour of island, 2-hour Safari bus tour of back dune areas, welcome seafood dinner, evening program and star watch, plus guided hikes at Chincoteague Refuge and Assateague National Seashore.
For more info and reservations call 718-474-0896 or e-mail: don@littoralsociety.org.
JOIN US Buy a Sticker for Jeff In January, the Littoral Society unexpectedly lost a member of our family: long-time Fish Tagging Director Jeff Dement. To memorialize Jeff and his contributions to the Society and fish tagging, one of his former interns (Sam Glover) created a sticker that can be purchased online. $2 from each sale will be donated to the Society in support of the Fish Tagging Program.
Membership, Renew or Join Today! Your loyalty and support enable us to continue to protect and care for the coast. Your membership supports marine science education programs for thousands of students, protecting and restoring marine life and habitat, and our efforts to defend the coast from harm. Show Your Support with Littoral Society Gear There are more ways than ever to show your support for the American Littoral Society. Now available at the Society online store are short-sleeve t-shirts in multiple designs/colors, as well as long-sleeve t's and baseball caps with the Society's name and/or logo.
More Littoral Merch Available at Bonfire You can support the Littoral Society by purchasing our official merchandise through our store on Bonfire.com. All proceeds support coastal conservation!
Bonfire is a free online platform where anyone can design, sell, and buy custom products. We handle payment processing, order fulfillment, and customer service so you can focus on connecting with your community.
Remember the Coast Make sure that our coast remains a home for the coastal wildlife you love. A bequest to the American Littoral Society is a generous and straightforward way to care for the coast. This can be expressed in a will as simply as, “I bequeath [a sum of money, a percentage of my estate, or an IRA, life insurance policy, or investment/bank account] to the American Littoral Society, 18 Hartshorne Drive, Suite 1, Highlands, NJ 07732.”
Consult with your attorney to determine what is best for your situation.
To learn more about planning a gift for the Society, contact Director of Development Hillary Critelli at 732-291-0055 or Hillary.critelli@littoralsociety.org Other Ways to Support the Society Your membership donation helps the Society reach its fundraising goals to keep our coast safe and healthy. It also helps our staff create new and exciting ways to connect you with the coast even if we can't be there physically together. If you would like to go above and beyond membership, please explore these other ways you can help the Littoral Society continue to care for the coast.
Our Contact Information
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May Littoral News May 1, 2021 Volunteers Highlight Littoral Society Earth Week Events Earth Day was big for the American Littoral Society this year. The Society hosted a week-long series of events that included some of the first involving volunteers since Covid quarantines began about a year ago.
COMING UP 5th Annual Horseshoe Crab Festival Saturday, May 14 Sessions at 11:30 a.m., Noon and 12:30 p.m. On Facebook LIve and In-Person (limited group size) Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge 175-10 Cross Bay Blvd Queens, NY Free, Registration Required for In-Person Attendance Click Here to Register for Facebook Live Session
Join the American Littoral Society and partners for the Fifth Annual Horseshoe Crab Festival. This year the festival will offer both in-person and virtual attendance to those who want to see the annual mating ritual of the Horseshoe Crab.
Meet at the refuge visitor center 30 minutes before the in-person sessions in order to carpool to a nearby beach or drive directly to the beach site at the south end of Broad Channel. There will be three in-person sessions, which are each limited to 25 people at each. There is no limit on the number that can attend virtually.
For more information contact Northeast Chapter Director Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 or e-mail: don@littoralsociety.org.
Due to Covid precautions, registration is required. Littoral Society staff and volunteers will follow all state-mandated COVID-19 safety protocols and ask that all volunteers wear a mask, keep six feet distance from other volunteers, and to please stay home if you or someone you have been in contact with are sick. Society staff reserves the right to ask volunteers who are not following these guidelines to leave immediately. Maritime Forest to be Dedicated Tuesday, May 25 11 a.m. - Noon Ocean Avenue and Lake Terrace Bradley Beach, NJ The Bradley Beach Maritime Forest will be dedicated to Julie Schreck, former mayor of Jersey Shore borough, during a special ceremony.
The American LIttoral Society and officials, along with Mayor Schreck's family and friends will gather to recognize completion of phase three of the project and dedicate the restored coastal green space.
In addition to renaming the forest for Mayor Schreck and unveiling new signs, the ceremony will include remarks from dignitaries, family, and friends, who will also have the opportunity to tour the forest after the dedication.
Click here for more information on this event.
Horseshoe Crab Webinar Monday, May 24 1 - 2 pm Via Zoom Registration Required Link Will Be Provided Through Littoral Society Social Media and Calendar
Did you know that horseshoe crabs predate the dinosaurs and that they’re medical saviors?
Join The American Littoral Society for a webinar about these fascinating, ancient creatures. We’ll learn about their lifecycle, when and where they lay their eggs, when best to spot them, and even the importance of their blood to humans.
The Littoral Society will wrap up their talk with a question-and-answer session during which they will provide information on volunteer opportunities.
Shark River Horseshoe Crab Tagging Times depend on Tides Meet at Pavilion Memorial Park Riverview and Myron avenues Neptune City, NJ Free
Join the American Littoral Society for horseshoe crab tagging in and around the Shark River inlet. Groups will meet at the pavilion in Neptune City's Memorial Park. Schedule meeting times are 30 minutes prior to high tide in Shark River Hills to allow for training and assignment of beach.
Volunteers should dress to get wet, have a change of clothes, bug spray, and flashlights or head lamps. A limited amount of chest waders, drills, and bits will be available. A tagging packet containing data sheets, pens, ruler, clipboard or measuring board, health and safety form, tags, informational packets, and a membership brochure will be provided. Volunteers will be trained and learn about the biology and importance of horseshoe crabs prior to tagging live crabs.
The same beaches from past years will be surveyed to include Memorial Park Beach in Neptune City, L Street Beach in Belmar, the Marina on Riverside (2 sites), and S. Riverside Drive (2 sites). Only staff or experienced volunteers will be allowed to tag at the Hillside Avenue site. In all, up to 7 sites may be surveyed in 2021.
In the event restrictions associated with the COVID 19 Pandemic are still in effect, tagging may be cancelled, limited to staff only with a virtual component, or may still be limited and performed by a single group or persons that have been on lockdown together for at least 14 days or more. Each group or person will be responsible for one designated beach within Shark River Inlet over the survey duration. It is recommended that proper PPE be worn.
To receive tagging packets and a drill with bits, you must show up May 25 at 7PM or contact Capt. Al Modjeski at alek@littoralsociety.org.
Check the Littoral Society calendar for other scheduled tagging dates.
NORTHEAST CHAPTER NEWS Spring Migration Bird Walk in Jamaica Bay In case you missed it: On Saturday, April 24, Littoral Society naturalist Don Riepe led a limited attendance bird walk from the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge building. The event was also streamed via Facebook LIVE program.
Late April is the beginning of peak time for passerines and waterbirds in Jamaica Bay. Tune into this re-broadcast to meet some of the species that pass through Jamaica Bay at this time of year and learn about the mystery of migration.
RESTORATION NEWS Opening of Old Mill Dam Fish Ladder Fish in the Wreck Pond watershed now have a little bit of extra room to roam thanks to the Earth Day opening of a fish ladder at the Old Mill Pond Dam.
The 60-foot-long fish ladder is part of ongoing efforts to restore Wreck Pond and its 12.8 square mile watershed in the southern Monmouth County municipalities of Wall Township; and the Boroughs of Spring Lake Heights, Spring Lake and Sea Girt.
The restoration project, which launched in 2014, has been coordinated by the American Littoral Society in conjunction with federal and local partners.
The opening of the ladder, on April 22, 2021, will provide access an additional mile of habitat for alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis), both river herring species that live in saltwater but spawn in fresh water. This stretch of habitat has been inaccessible to the migratory fish for more than a century, due to the installation of the dam at Old Mill Pond.
Volunteers Shore Up Dunes to Protect Restored Beach Horseshoe crabs spawning on a Delaware Bay beach will have an extra measure of security thanks to an Earth Day volunteer dune grass planting effort.
SAVE THE DATE Save the Date: Members Day 2021 Saturday, June 26
We are currently planning to host our annual Members Day celebration, Annual Meeting, and Board of Trustees election on Sandy Hook on Saturday, June 26. However, there is still a possibility that we will have to pivot to a virtual event, so please keep an eye on your mailboxes and email inboxes for the most up to date information.
If we are able to gather in person, Society staff and all members will be asked to follow current local, state, and federal COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines including mask wearing and social distancing.
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.
6th Annual Lobster Run Saturday, November 6 Start and finish: The Langosta Lounge 1000 Ocean Avenue and Second Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ
Get ready to hit the boards for the 6th Annual Lobster Run 5k to Care for the Coast. Register now to get a head start on fundraising for your team! Register now at www.raceforum.com/lobster. Littorally Local Saturday, September 18 Virtual
The Littorally Local Host Committee is looking for new members! Join a team of committed community members who help spread the word about the event, invite their networks to participate, and solicit auction items. If you’re interested in joining the committee or donating to the virtual auction, please contact Hillary Critelli at Hillary.critelli@littoralsociety.org.
JOIN US Membership, Renew or Join Today! Your loyalty and support enable us to continue to protect and care for the coast. Your membership supports marine science education programs for thousands of students, protecting and restoring marine life and habitat, and our efforts to defend the coast from harm. Show Your Support with Littoral Society Gear There are more ways than ever to show your support for the American Littoral Society. Now available at the Society online store are short-sleeve t-shirts in multiple designs/colors, as well as long-sleeve t's and baseball caps with the Society's name and/or logo.
More Littoral Merch Available at Bonfire You can support the Littoral Society by purchasing our official merchandise through our store on Bonfire.com. All proceeds support coastal conservation!
Bonfire is a free online platform where anyone can design, sell, and buy custom products. We handle payment processing, order fulfillment, and customer service so you can focus on connecting with your community.
Remember the Coast Make sure that our coast remains a home for the coastal wildlife you love. A bequest to the American Littoral Society is a generous and straightforward way to care for the coast. This can be expressed in a will as simply as, “I bequeath [a sum of money, a percentage of my estate, or an IRA, life insurance policy, or investment/bank account] to the American Littoral Society, 18 Hartshorne Drive, Suite 1, Highlands, NJ 07732.”
Consult with your attorney to determine what is best for your situation.
To learn more about planning a gift for the Society, contact Director of Development Hillary Critelli at 732-291-0055 or Hillary.critelli@littoralsociety.org Other Ways to Support the Society Your membership donation helps the Society reach its fundraising goals to keep our coast safe and healthy. It also helps our staff create new and exciting ways to connect you with the coast even if we can't be there physically together. If you would like to go above and beyond membership, please explore these other ways you can help the Littoral Society continue to care for the coast.
Our Contact Information
|
April Littoral News April 1, 2021 Littoral Society Celebrates Earth Day with NJ & NY Events While Earth Day is Thursday, April 22, the American Littoral Society will mark the occasion with a series of events in New York and New Jersey on and around that date.
Events will range from a beach cleanup in Howard Beach, NY to a dune grass planting on Reeds Beach, near Cape May, NJ., as well as several sites in between.
Details on the events appear below. Please join us to recognize this special day.
Many of these events will involve volunteers and all will be outdoors. However, due to Covid restrictions in NJ and NY, group sizes are limited. So we are asking attendees to register for in-person events.
Littoral Society staff and volunteers will follow all state-mandated COVID-19 safety protocols and ask that all volunteers wear a mask, keep six feet distance from other volunteers, and to please stay home if you or someone you have been in contact with are sick. Society staff reserves the right to ask volunteers who are not following these guidelines to leave immediately.
Earth Day Events Vineland Earth Day Maintenance Saturday, April 17 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Giampietro Memorial Park Between Landis and Lincoln avenues Vineland, NJ
Join the Littoral Society and Vineland Environmental Commission at Giampietro Memorial Park in Vineland, NJ to help care for our riparian buffer planting. We’ll be removing invasive species so that our trees can thrive!
Wear shoes that can get muddy because the park can be damp at this time of year.
Click here to find the park's parking area. Park near the amphitheater, where volunteers will gather.
Contact the Littoral Society's Zach Nickerson for more information.
COVID-19 Precautions: Littoral Society staff and volunteers will follow all state-mandated COVID-19 safety protocols - including those regarding size of groups - and ask that all volunteers wear a mask, keep six feet distance from other volunteers, and to please stay home if you or someone you have been in contact with are sick. Society staff reserves the right to ask volunteers who are not following these guidelines to leave immediately. Reeds Beach Dune Grass Planting Thursday, April 22 1 - 3 p.m. Parking along Reeds Beach Road Middle Township, Cape May County, NJ
Join the American Littoral Society on the beach in Delaware Bay to plant dune grass!
In early April work will be completed on sand berms that will prevent horseshoe crabs from being washed into the marsh during extreme high tides. To create a more resilient beach berm and keep the sand in place, we will then plant dune grass.
The easiest way to plant dune grasses is to create a hole in the sand with a broom handle. If you have a broom or something with similar handle, please bring it to the event.
Parking will be along Reeds Beach Road. Please dress for the weather.
For more information email Quinn Whitesall.
COVID-19 Precautions: Littoral Society staff and volunteers will follow all state-mandated COVID-19 safety protocols and ask that all volunteers wear a mask, keep six feet distance from other volunteers, and to please stay home if you or someone you have been in contact with are sick. Society staff reserves the right to ask volunteers who are not following these guidelines to leave immediately.
Slade Dale Volunteer Day Saturday, April 24 1 - 3 p.m. Sea Point Drive Point Pleasant, NJ
Lend a hand completing the branchbox breakwaters begun in 2019 at Slade Dale Nature Preserve. Volunteers will help place recycled Christmas trees into the waters of Beaverdam Creek, where they will help reverse erosion that has been eating away at the shoreline.
Thanks to additional funding from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, new pilings have been installed to expand the existing breakwater. Workers will also replenish trees that have broken down over the past two years.
Dress to get wet and messy. Parking is along Sea Point Drive, which borders the nature preserve.
COVID-19 Precautions: Littoral Society staff and volunteers will follow all state-mandated COVID-19 safety protocols and ask that all volunteers wear a mask, keep six feet distance from other volunteers, and to please stay home if you or someone you have been in contact with are sick. Society staff reserves the right to ask volunteers who are not following these guidelines to leave immediately.
Earth Day Seining Friday, April 23 3 - 4 p.m. Via Facebook Live Check the Littoral Society Facebook Page for Event
Join the Littoral Society through Facebook Live for seining in Wreck Pond, a costal lake between Spring Lake and Sea Girt, NJ.
In 2015, the Littoral Society led an effort to restore Wreck Pond. That project included installation of a fish passage intended to allow migratory fish to once again have access to their natural spawning grounds.
The passage, which re-established a connection between the pond and Atlantic Ocean, has also helped reduce flooding in the communities around the pond and the levels of pollution in the pond.
The restoration project has subsequently expanded to include installation of an upstream fish ladder at Old Mill Dam (that ladder will be opened for fish on Thursday, April 22) and ongoing monitoring of the pond's watershed. The seining is part of the monitoring work and helps to determine the kind of fish inhabiting the Wreck Pond ecosystem.
Click here to learn more about the Littoral Society's work in and around Wreck Pond.
Asbury Park Dune Grass Planting Saturday, April 24 10 a.m. - Noon Meet on the Boardwalk at Asbury and Ocean avenues Asbury Park, NJ
Join the Littoral Society for an Earth Day volunteer beach grass planting at the South end of Asubry Park by the old casino.
Due to Covid restrictions, group size must be limited to 50 people. So please click link above to register.
We will supply the beachgrass, shovels and gloves. If you have your own, please feel free to bring!
Parking is available behind the Carousel building and along surrounding streets. If you are using google maps, type in Asbury Park Casino to arrive at the correct location.
COVID-19 Precautions: Littoral Society staff and volunteers will follow all state-mandated COVID-19 safety protocols and ask that all volunteers wear a mask, keep six feet distance from other volunteers, and to please stay home if you or someone you have been in contact with are sick. Society staff reserves the right to ask volunteers who are not following these guidelines to leave immediately. Spring Creek Shoreline Cleanup Sunday, April 25 Noon - 2 p.m. Spring Creek Park Meet at 165th Ave and Cross Bay Blvd Howard Beach Brooklyn, NY
Join the Northeast Chapter of the American Littoral Society for a shoreline cleanup at Spring Creek Park. Spring Creek Park is a nice natural shoreline with some of the characteristic features associated with the Jamaica Bay Estuary. It is an important space for the people and wildlife that make their homes here.
This section of the park is situated in the southern end of Howard Beach (please see directions below for bus, walking, and parking).
We will provide masks, gloves, bags, sanitizing wipes, and pickers. Please bring your own water and sun protection.
Nearby Buses: Q52-SBS, Q53-SBS (walk south along Cross Bay Blvd), Q21, Q41. Parking is available on neighboring streets. We will meet on the corner of 165th Ave and Cross Bay Blvd, then walk south along Cross Bay Blvd and enter the park through the opening in the fence. The sandy trail leads down to the shoreline where the cleanup will take place.
Registration is required as we continue to follow group size restrictions and socially distant guidelines due to COVID-19.
COVID-19 Precautions: Littoral Society staff and volunteers will follow all state-mandated COVID-19 safety protocols and ask that all volunteers wear a mask, keep six feet distance from other volunteers, and to please stay home if you or someone you have been in contact with are sick. Society staff reserves the right to ask volunteers who are not following these guidelines to leave immediately.
Spring Migration Bird Walk Saturday, April 24 10 a.m. - Noon Via Facebook Live Look for Event on the Northeast Chapter Facebook Page
Join Littoral Society naturalist Don Riepe for a virtual Facebook LIVE program at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.
Late April is the beginning of peak time for passerines and waterbirds in Jamaica Bay. See and learn about many species and the mystery of migration.
Go to the American Littoral Society Northeast Chapter Facebook page to join us online.
We can also accommodate up to 10 people to join us in person. To join us in person e-mail Don@littoralsociety.org or call (718) 474-0896. Covid precautions will be followed. COMING UP Rain Gardens: Can You Dig It? Monday, April 19 7 - 8 p.m. Via Webinar
Join the American Littoral Society's Lucia Ruggiero and the Native Plant Society for a virtual talk on practical methods for making your yard more water and wildlife friendly.
The talk will focus on rain gardens and also include information on rain barrels, pollinator meadows, and xeriscaping. Q&A will follow the webinar. SJ Landscape Makeover Webinar Tuesday, April 20 Noon - 1 p.m. 7 - 8 p.m.
Learn how to create a creek friendly yard with our partners at South Jersey Watersavers.
After attending the webinar, you’ll be eligible for a free rain garden design consultation and may qualify for a rebate to help cover the costs of your garden.
Two sessions: one at noon and the other at 7 p.m.
Delaware Bay Horseshoe Crab Tagging Returns Select nights May 7-June 19 Free
You can help the American Littoral Society gather information about horseshoe crab populations by volunteering to tag horseshoe crabs on New Jersey’s Delaware Bayshore beaches.
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 for specific days/times.
We are monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely. Dates and times are subject to change. Participants will also be expected to follow Covid mandates and precautions.
COVID-19 Precautions: Littoral Society staff and volunteers will follow all state-mandated safety protocols and ask that all volunteers wear a mask, keep six feet distance from other volunteers, and to please stay home if you or someone you have been in contact with are sick. Society staff reserves the right to ask volunteers who are not following these guidelines to leave immediately.
NORTHEAST CHAPTER NEWS Edgar the Egret Returns In a sure sign of spring, Edgar the friendly Egret returned to the Littoral Society's Northeast Chapter office in Broad Channel, NY, on March 31, popping inside to cadge a snack from Jamaica Bay Guardian Don Riepe. This is Edgar's eighth year summering with the Littoral Society in Jamaica Bay.
Raptor Program gets ready for returning Ospreys Members of the NE Chapter’s Raptor Management program recently erected two Osprey nesting platforms in Jamaica Bay.
Currently there are 25 nesting pair of Ospreys in the greater bay ecosystem. In 1990, there were none.
The program is funded by a grant from Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy (JBRPC). Left to right in photo: Dennis Guiney (carpenter), Alexandra Kanonik (American Littoral Society), Alex Zablocki (JBRPC) and Don Riepe (Jamaica Bay Guardian and Director of the Littoral Society Northeast Chapter).
Jamaica Bay Spring Migration Walk In case you missed it: Enjoy a Facebook Live walk with naturalist and Littoral Society Northeast Chapter Director Don Riepe during the beginning of the spring bird migration. The walk took place on Sunday, March 21 at 11 a.m. and participants were introduced to some of the first birds of the season to arrive at New York's Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.
Jamaica Bay Eels Jamaica Bay's East Pond is open and water is flowing. As usual, every year the open valve releases American Eels into the bay. Up to now, the highest count was 11. Today we counted nearly 60 eels and rescued almost all, bringing them to deeper waters!
We're Hiring The Northeast Chapter of the American Littoral Society is hiring seasonal interns. Applicants for the Summer Restoration Internship can be from late high school to college age. Internships begin on June 1 and run for eight weeks.
Send questions and resumes to: alexandra@littoralsociety.org.
For more information please visit: https://www.littoralsociety.org/r-corps.html RESTORATION NEWS Coastal Stewardship Month: How You Can Help Protect the Delaware Bay Ecosystem The remote beaches of New Jersey’s Delaware Bayshore are loved by wildlife and people. But human presence and activity on these beaches can scare migratory birds, disrupting feeding during their long flights to Artic breeding grounds.
Littoral Society Restoration Director Testifies Before Congressional Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee Capt. Al Modjeski, the Littoral Society's Restoration Program Director, was among the experts called to testify at a March 11 Congressional subcommittee hearing on Building Resilience for the Economy, Climate, and Ecosystems. Watch the video to learn more.
Forked River Beach Living Shoreline Restoration Project Stakeholders Meeting The second stakeholder's meeting for the Forked River Beach Living Shoreline Restoration Project was held Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 1PM. The project in Barnegat Bay will involve the creation of eight to 10 double-rowed oyster reefs on the bayside of Lacey Township, along with a hybrid terminal groin at the south to trap down-drifting sand to begin natural rebuilding of more than 100 feet of eroded shoreline.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS USDA Seeks Public Comment on Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Strategy The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking input from conservation groups, farmers, forest owners, and others on climate-smart agriculture and forestry strategy through an executive order that could impact many USDA programs, including the programs that support Delaware River Watershed Initiative (DRWI) projects and other water quality work.
SAVE THE DATE DATE CHANGE: 2021 Lobster Run Saturday, November 6
Out of an abundance of caution and care for your health and safety, the 6th Annual Lobster Run 5k to Care for the Coast has been moved to Saturday, November 6.
Registration will open in the spring. Click here for more info Littorally Local Saturday, September 18
Save the Date for Littorally Local! You’re invited to join us for an evening of celebrating all the coast has to offer while supporting our efforts to protect it. More details to come this spring! If you’re interested in joining the Host Committee, please contact Hillary Critelli at hillary.critelli@littoralsociety.org.
JOIN US Membership, Renew or Join Today! Your loyalty and support enable us to continue to protect and care for the coast. Your membership supports marine science education programs for thousands of students, protecting and restoring marine life and habitat, and our efforts to defend the coast from harm. Show Your Support with Littoral Society Gear There are more ways than ever to show your support for the American Littoral Society. Now available at the Society online store are short-sleeve t-shirts in multiple designs/colors, as well as long-sleeve t's and baseball caps with the Society's name and/or logo.
More Littoral Merch Available at Bonfire You can support the Littoral Society by purchasing our official merchandise through our store on Bonfire.com. All proceeds support coastal conservation!
Bonfire is a free online platform where anyone can design, sell, and buy custom products. We handle payment processing, order fulfillment, and customer service so you can focus on connecting with your community.
Remember the Coast Make sure that our coast remains a home for the coastal wildlife you love. A bequest to the American Littoral Society is a generous and straightforward way to care for the coast. This can be expressed in a will as simply as, “I bequeath [a sum of money, a percentage of my estate, or an IRA, life insurance policy, or investment/bank account] to the American Littoral Society, 18 Hartshorne Drive, Suite 1, Highlands, NJ 07732.”
Consult with your attorney to determine what is best for your situation.
To learn more about planning a gift for the Society, contact Director of Development Hillary Critelli at 732-291-0055 or Hillary.critelli@littoralsociety.org Other Ways to Support the Society Your membership donation helps the Society reach its fundraising goals to keep our coast safe and healthy. It also helps our staff create new and exciting ways to connect you with the coast even if we can't be there physically together. If you would like to go above and beyond membership, please explore these other ways you can help the Littoral Society continue to care for the coast.
Our Contact Information
|
March Littoral News March 1, 2021 From the Director: NJ Enacts New Climate Change Response Tools Including Added Funding for Blue Acres Program In the beginning of February, NJ Governor Phil Murphy signed into law several pieces of legislation that advance important climate change adaptation policies and measures. Those included new directives on municipal land use and additional funding for the Blue Acres Program.
COMING UP SJ Landscape Makeover Webinar Thursday, March 4, 7- 8 p.m. Thursday, March 18, Noon - 1 p.m. Thursday, March 18, 7 - 8 p.m. Registration Required
Are you interested in creating a creek-friendly yard? Join the American Littoral Society and partners for a 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-on-one with a Rutgers landscape architect to plan a customized rain garden for your property.
Participants who build a rain garden as part of this program may be eligible for a rebate of $3/square foot up to $450, or help from Rutgers with installation. Rebate availability may vary. Virtual Jamaica Bay Winter Thaw Walk Sunday, March 21 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Free
Enjoy a Facebook Live walk with naturalist and Littoral Society Northeast Chapter Director Don Riepe during the beginning of the spring bird migration. See American Oystercatcher and some of the first birds of the season to arrive at the Refuge, while leaning about the mystery of migration.
To join the program, go to the Society's Northeast Chapter Facebook page and click the events tab.
For more info call (718) 474-0896; e-mail: don@littoralsociety.org.
Workshops as part of the Landscape Makeover Program are open to all, regardless of rebate eligibility.
In order to maintain social distancing, we will be moving some of the workshops to webinars. If these times or format don’t work for you, please continue to check back with us for updates. We hope to schedule in-person sessions when possible.
Zero Waste Workshop Wednesday, March 24
Join Littoral Society Education Director, Nicole Haines, as she discusses ways to reduce waste and live a more sustainable lifestyle.
This workshop will include:
Bridgeton City Cleanup Saturday, March 27 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Meet at The Marino Center for sign in 11 Washington Street Bridgeton NJ Free
Join the American Littoral Society and Gateway Community Action and Partnership for a cleanup of the South East Gateway Community, and it’s banks along the Cohansey River.
Masks required and temperatures taken at sign in. Maximum of 25 people may participate due to state Covid guidance.
Please dress for the weather and wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Please bring your own gloves if you have them.
NORTHEAST CHAPTER NEWS Virtual Jamaica Bay Winter Thaw Walk In case you missed it: On Feb. 26, Jamaica Bay Guardian and Littoral Society Northeast Chapter Director Don Riepe led a leisurely virtual walk via Facebook Live along the West Pond trail. Don highlighted the nature that can be observed at this time of year and contemplated the coming of Spring.
RESTORATION NEWS Tribute to Tributaries: Wreck Pond Watershed Restoration The American Littoral Society is paying tribute to tributaries in March because many of our projects focus on the waters that feed the bays and coastal areas which have been the cornerstone of the Society’s mission for the past 60 years.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS Joins the Healthy Ocean Coalition for Ocean Advocacy Training Who: The Healthy Ocean Coalition is a national network of ocean lovers – a free-to-join coalition of passionate and supportive ocean champions - dedicated to preventing the exploitation, destruction, and neglect of our ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes.
We are changemakers guided by the principle that we are stronger and more influential together. By collaborating as an inclusive and vocal ocean community, we ensure that conservation policies in the United States are informed by and reflective of the people, regions, and wildlife that they are designed to serve – you.
All too often when it comes to building meaningful relationships with members of Congress and other decision-makers, people feel lost and do not know where to begin. It is our job to work with our members in realizing their conservation goals and serve as their guide along the path toward achieving them.
We have an open seat at the table with your name on it.
What: Our Healthy Ocean Advocacy Trainings are engaging events that build partnerships, expertise, and ensure you walk away with the necessary tools to be an advocacy pro. Even if you are already an advocate in your everyday work, this training will help you build on your skills to educate your members of Congress and federal agency staff with confidence on ocean and climate policies.
During the training, you will build relationships with your fellow participants and the trainers as well as participate in interactive dialogues and workshops guided by some of the most approachable and influential thought leaders in the ocean and advocacy community. Each session is designed to build on the ones prior, ultimately resulting in clear, concise messaging and actionable next steps following the training.
When: Wednesday, March 10 Module 1: Building an Ocean Community. Trainees work toward building an online community and set the stage of ocean policy initiatives while developing their personalized path for training modules 2-4.
Thursday, March 11 Module 2: The Ocean as a Climate Solution. Trainees work with experts in ocean policy and climate solutions to discuss and learn how federal executive and legislative bodies are currently working toward ocean and climate justice and where local and regional voices can make an impact.
Wednesday, March 17 Module 3: Influencing Decision-makers for a Healthy Ocean. Trainees address the why and how behind creating and growing relationships with policy makers in the context of ocean and climate initiatives. Trainees work to develop advocacy tools and pair them with virtual group advocacy practice.
Thursday, March 18 Module 4: Communicating for the Ocean. When Advocacy Meets Media. Trainees take advocacy tools developed in Modules 1-3 and put them into the context of communicating to media, members, and your communities to make change - locally and nationally.
*All sessions are from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Pacific/1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Eastern
Where: Calendar invitations containing a Zoom link will be circulated to participants in advance of the training.
*Please note that we will cap attendance at 20 participants and registering is a commitment to attending all four sessions. Priority will be given to applicants that have not yet attended an HOC training. Click here for more information.
SAVE THE DATE DATE CHANGE: 2021 Lobster Run Saturday, November 6
Out of an abundance of caution and care for your health and safety, the 6th Annual Lobster Run 5k to Care for the Coast has been moved to Saturday, November 6.
Registration will open in the spring. Click here for more info Littorally Local Saturday, September 18
Save the Date for Littorally Local! You’re invited to join us for an evening of celebrating all the coast has to offer while supporting our efforts to protect it. More details to come this spring! If you’re interested in joining the Host Committee, please contact Hillary Critelli at hillary.critelli@littoralsociety.org.
JOIN US Membership, Renew or Join Today! Your loyalty and support enable us to continue to protect and care for the coast. Your membership supports marine science education programs for thousands of students, protecting and restoring marine life and habitat, and our efforts to defend the coast from harm. Show Your Support with Littoral Society Gear There are more ways than ever to show your support for the American Littoral Society. Now available at the Society online store are short-sleeve t-shirts in multiple designs/colors, as well as long-sleeve t's and baseball caps with the Society's name and/or logo.
Remember the Coast Make sure that our coast remains a home for the coastal wildlife you love. A bequest to the American Littoral Society is a generous and straightforward way to care for the coast. This can be expressed in a will as simply as, “I bequeath [a sum of money, a percentage of my estate, or an IRA, life insurance policy, or investment/bank account] to the American Littoral Society, 18 Hartshorne Drive, Suite 1, Highlands, NJ 07732.”
Consult with your attorney to determine what is best for your situation.
To learn more about planning a gift for the Society, contact Director of Development Hillary Critelli at 732-291-0055 or Hillary.critelli@littoralsociety.org Other Ways to Support the Society Your membership donation helps the Society reach its fundraising goals to keep our coast safe and healthy. It also helps our staff create new and exciting ways to connect you with the coast even if we can't be there physically together. If you would like to go above and beyond membership, please explore these other ways you can help the Littoral Society continue to care for the coast.
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March Littoral News March 1, 2021 From the Director: NJ Enacts New Climate Change Response Tools Including Added Funding for Blue Acres Program In the beginning of February, NJ Governor Phil Murphy signed into law several pieces of legislation that advance important climate change adaptation policies and measures. Those included new directives on municipal land use and additional funding for the Blue Acres Program.
COMING UP SJ Landscape Makeover Webinar Thursday, March 4, 7- 8 p.m. Thursday, March 18, Noon - 1 p.m. Thursday, March 18, 7 - 8 p.m. Registration Required
Are you interested in creating a creek-friendly yard? Join the American Littoral Society and partners for a 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-on-one with a Rutgers landscape architect to plan a customized rain garden for your property.
Participants who build a rain garden as part of this program may be eligible for a rebate of $3/square foot up to $450, or help from Rutgers with installation. Rebate availability may vary. Virtual Jamaica Bay Winter Thaw Walk Sunday, March 21 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Free
Enjoy a Facebook Live walk with naturalist and Littoral Society Northeast Chapter Director Don Riepe during the beginning of the spring bird migration. See American Oystercatcher and some of the first birds of the season to arrive at the Refuge, while leaning about the mystery of migration.
To join the program, go to the Society's Northeast Chapter Facebook page and click the events tab.
For more info call (718) 474-0896; e-mail: don@littoralsociety.org.
Workshops as part of the Landscape Makeover Program are open to all, regardless of rebate eligibility.
In order to maintain social distancing, we will be moving some of the workshops to webinars. If these times or format don’t work for you, please continue to check back with us for updates. We hope to schedule in-person sessions when possible.
Zero Waste Workshop Wednesday, March 24
Join Littoral Society Education Director, Nicole Haines, as she discusses ways to reduce waste and live a more sustainable lifestyle.
This workshop will include:
Bridgeton City Cleanup Saturday, March 27 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Meet at The Marino Center for sign in 11 Washington Street Bridgeton NJ Free
Join the American Littoral Society and Gateway Community Action and Partnership for a cleanup of the South East Gateway Community, and it’s banks along the Cohansey River.
Masks required and temperatures taken at sign in. Maximum of 25 people may participate due to state Covid guidance.
Please dress for the weather and wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Please bring your own gloves if you have them.
NORTHEAST CHAPTER NEWS Virtual Jamaica Bay Winter Thaw Walk In case you missed it: On Feb. 26, Jamaica Bay Guardian and Littoral Society Northeast Chapter Director Don Riepe led a leisurely virtual walk via Facebook Live along the West Pond trail. Don highlighted the nature that can be observed at this time of year and contemplated the coming of Spring.
RESTORATION NEWS Tribute to Tributaries: Wreck Pond Watershed Restoration The American Littoral Society is paying tribute to tributaries in March because many of our projects focus on the waters that feed the bays and coastal areas which have been the cornerstone of the Society’s mission for the past 60 years.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS Joins the Healthy Ocean Coalition for Ocean Advocacy Training Who: The Healthy Ocean Coalition is a national network of ocean lovers – a free-to-join coalition of passionate and supportive ocean champions - dedicated to preventing the exploitation, destruction, and neglect of our ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes.
We are changemakers guided by the principle that we are stronger and more influential together. By collaborating as an inclusive and vocal ocean community, we ensure that conservation policies in the United States are informed by and reflective of the people, regions, and wildlife that they are designed to serve – you.
All too often when it comes to building meaningful relationships with members of Congress and other decision-makers, people feel lost and do not know where to begin. It is our job to work with our members in realizing their conservation goals and serve as their guide along the path toward achieving them.
We have an open seat at the table with your name on it.
What: Our Healthy Ocean Advocacy Trainings are engaging events that build partnerships, expertise, and ensure you walk away with the necessary tools to be an advocacy pro. Even if you are already an advocate in your everyday work, this training will help you build on your skills to educate your members of Congress and federal agency staff with confidence on ocean and climate policies.
During the training, you will build relationships with your fellow participants and the trainers as well as participate in interactive dialogues and workshops guided by some of the most approachable and influential thought leaders in the ocean and advocacy community. Each session is designed to build on the ones prior, ultimately resulting in clear, concise messaging and actionable next steps following the training.
When: Wednesday, March 10 Module 1: Building an Ocean Community. Trainees work toward building an online community and set the stage of ocean policy initiatives while developing their personalized path for training modules 2-4.
Thursday, March 11 Module 2: The Ocean as a Climate Solution. Trainees work with experts in ocean policy and climate solutions to discuss and learn how federal executive and legislative bodies are currently working toward ocean and climate justice and where local and regional voices can make an impact.
Wednesday, March 17 Module 3: Influencing Decision-makers for a Healthy Ocean. Trainees address the why and how behind creating and growing relationships with policy makers in the context of ocean and climate initiatives. Trainees work to develop advocacy tools and pair them with virtual group advocacy practice.
Thursday, March 18 Module 4: Communicating for the Ocean. When Advocacy Meets Media. Trainees take advocacy tools developed in Modules 1-3 and put them into the context of communicating to media, members, and your communities to make change - locally and nationally.
*All sessions are from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Pacific/1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Eastern
Where: Calendar invitations containing a Zoom link will be circulated to participants in advance of the training.
*Please note that we will cap attendance at 20 participants and registering is a commitment to attending all four sessions. Priority will be given to applicants that have not yet attended an HOC training. Click here for more information.
SAVE THE DATE DATE CHANGE: 2021 Lobster Run Saturday, November 6
Out of an abundance of caution and care for your health and safety, the 6th Annual Lobster Run 5k to Care for the Coast has been moved to Saturday, November 6.
Registration will open in the spring. Click here for more info Littorally Local Saturday, September 18
Save the Date for Littorally Local! You’re invited to join us for an evening of celebrating all the coast has to offer while supporting our efforts to protect it. More details to come this spring! If you’re interested in joining the Host Committee, please contact Hillary Critelli at hillary.critelli@littoralsociety.org.
JOIN US Membership, Renew or Join Today! Your loyalty and support enable us to continue to protect and care for the coast. Your membership supports marine science education programs for thousands of students, protecting and restoring marine life and habitat, and our efforts to defend the coast from harm. Show Your Support with Littoral Society Gear There are more ways than ever to show your support for the American Littoral Society. Now available at the Society online store are short-sleeve t-shirts in multiple designs/colors, as well as long-sleeve t's and baseball caps with the Society's name and/or logo.
Remember the Coast Make sure that our coast remains a home for the coastal wildlife you love. A bequest to the American Littoral Society is a generous and straightforward way to care for the coast. This can be expressed in a will as simply as, “I bequeath [a sum of money, a percentage of my estate, or an IRA, life insurance policy, or investment/bank account] to the American Littoral Society, 18 Hartshorne Drive, Suite 1, Highlands, NJ 07732.”
Consult with your attorney to determine what is best for your situation.
To learn more about planning a gift for the Society, contact Director of Development Hillary Critelli at 732-291-0055 or Hillary.critelli@littoralsociety.org Other Ways to Support the Society Your membership donation helps the Society reach its fundraising goals to keep our coast safe and healthy. It also helps our staff create new and exciting ways to connect you with the coast even if we can't be there physically together. If you would like to go above and beyond membership, please explore these other ways you can help the Littoral Society continue to care for the coast.
Our Contact Information
|
February Littoral News February 1, 2021 Society Loses a Member of Our Family with Passing of Fish Tagging Director Jeff Dement On Thursday, Jan. 28, we received very sad news: Jeff Dement, long-time Fish Tagging Program Director for the Littoral Society, had passed away. Jeff Dement teaching a youngster to tag fish. He will be missed as one of our family, now gone. Please hold him in your thoughts or say a prayer tonight – whatever is your custom to show respect for the good things our lives received from his time with us.
YOUR SUPPORT IS CRUCIAL 2021 Start of the Year Giving Campaign Help us start the New Year set up for success.
The American Littoral Society’s Annual Appeal is both our End of Year Giving Campaign and our start of the Year Giving Campaign. The effort extends through the end of February.
You can make an impact on coastal conservation, and you can have an impact on the Society’s success. As we continue to navigate these uncharted waters, please consider making a donation to the Littoral Society’s annual giving campaign by visiting www.littoralsociety.org/annualappeal.
COMING UP Virtual Winter Waterfowl and Seal Webinar
Virtual, via Zoom Pay What You Can Registration
Join the American Littoral Society via Zoom for a virtual visit with the winter wildlife that we typically see on our walks at Sandy Hook.
Participants will learn all about the birds/ducks that overwinter in New Jersey. They will also learn about Loons, Mergansers, Scaups, Scoters, Gannets, and many more!
Join us to discover more about the local seals we see in the colder months and we'll give you tips on where to go in New Jersey to see such wildlife with your friends or family.
Two sessions available. Click dates above to register. Virtual Celebration of Groundhog Day & World Wetlands Day Tuesday, Feb. 2 Noon - 1 p.m. Free via Facebook Live and Zoom Registration required for Zoom
Join the American Littoral Society on a tour of Plumb Beach from your home. Learn about the importance of wetlands in Jamaica Bay as we and the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy staff take viewers on a tour of Plumb Beach Marsh, looking for rodents and talking about spring migration.
Maybe we'll find out if the Jamaica Bay Groundhog sees its shadow.
The event will be streaming live over Facebook OR you can tune in via Zoom by registering here: https://tinyurl.com/16q408rt
To watch through Facebook, please go to the event and indicate that you are Going or Interested. Facebook will then notify you when the event begins. You can also find the recording there after the live event concludes.
World Wetlands Day Cleanup Saturday, Feb 6 10 a.m. - Noon Plumb Beach (Gateway National Recreation Area) Belt Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11228
Join the American Littoral Society, the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, and NY State Assembly Member Jaime R. Williams for a cleanup at Plumb Beach Marsh on World Wetlands Day.
Participants will help remove harmful debris from this important wetland. For more information about World Wetlands Day visit https://www.worldwetlandsday.org/. Virtual Jamaica Bay Winter Thaw Walk Friday, February 26, Noon Free
Join Jamaica Bay Guardian and Littoral Society Northeast Chapter Director Don Riepe on a leisurely virtual walk along the West Pond trail.
Don will be highlighting the nature that can be observed here this time of year and contemplating the coming of Spring.
In order to ensure your health and safety, please make sure to follow the socially distant volunteer guidelines found at jbrpc.org/volunteer along with local, state, and federal guidance related to COVID-19. A face covering is required, and social distancing will be practiced throughout the event. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available.
Gloves, bags, tools will be provided. Volunteers are encouraged to wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy, closed-toe shoes, and bring their own water and sunscreen. Event is rain or shine.
Registration is required and participation is limited due to COVID-19 restrictions. Only register if you are healthy and able to attend. For more information, please email info@jbrpc.org.
South Jersey Landscape Makeover Webinar Thursday, March 4 Thursday, March 18 7 - 8 p.m. Thursday, March 18 Noon - 1 p.m. Registration Required
Join the American Littoral Society and South Jersey partners for a webinar about our South Jersey Landscape Makeover Program, where residents in qualifying areas can receive rebates for installing a rain garden on their property.
NORTHEAST CHAPTER NEWS Winter Birds-Winter Survival Webinar In case you missed it: On Saturday, January 23 the Littoral Society conducted a virtual Winter Birds - Winter Survival webinar. During the program Littoral Society Northeast Chapter Director Don Riepe discussed how birds and other animals native to Jamaica Bay survive the freezing temperatures of winter.
RESTORATION NEWS 2021 Promises to be a Busy Year for Littoral Society Restoration Team Last year was challenging but that didn’t stop habitat restoration work by the Amerircan Littoral Society. Thanks to the success of that work, along with receiving a number of grants, the Society and its restoration team have even bigger plans for 2021.
In the coming year, we will be highlighting a different habitat restoration project each month in order to keep friends and supporters of the Littoral Society better informed of the work we are doing, as well their short-term and long-term goals.
2020 Recap Despite an international pandemic that left the Society unable to host volunteer events, the Restoration team – which includes Shane, Zack, Quinn, Julie, Capt. Al Modjeski – got a few things done. Among those projects were:
SIGHTS & SOUNDS American Littoral Society Releases Special Publication on Protecting Fish and Fish Habitat in the Mid-Atlantic The American Littoral Society has released a new report entitled “Protecting Offshore Fish and Fish Habitat in the Mid-Atlantic Ocean.” The report focuses on the management and protection of important areas for fish and recreational fishing in the face of a changing climate and increasing demands for use of ocean spaces.
The report considers how climate change is impacting the Mid-Atlantic ocean, specifically fish and fish habitat, placing crucial benefits and services like recreation, fishing, and coastal community safety and economies, to name a few, on the line. Recreational anglers and coastal managers see in real time fish shifting northward as ocean waters warm and acidify and conflicting uses mar or destroy important fish habitat. The report provides an overview of how Mid-Atlantic states from New York to Virginia protect fish and fish habitat through their federally approved Coastal Management Plans. It then takes a deep dive into one type of area protected in New Jersey, called Prime Fishing Areas. Prime Fishing Aeras are important areas for fish, fish habitat, and fishing that span from the Jersey Shore to miles out in the open Mid-Atlantic ocean. The report looks at how regulatory protections for Prime Fishing Areas have worked, or not worked, during the development and permitting of activities like offshore sand mining or wind development in New Jersey.
As part of this project, the Society engaged New Jersey recreational anglers to better understand and highlight their use of Prime Fishing Areas and concerns around past, present, and potential impacts to these places from sand mining or offshore wind development. The report website encapsulates this work by highlighting insights by anglers and potential places for conflict in a set of Prime Fishing Areas.
The report culminates in several angler and policy insights and a set of ten recommendations to assist decision-makers in New Jersey and beyond. The hope is that this report can be helpful in closing knowledge and process gaps and strengthening regional and state planning approaches to protect fish and fish habitat in the face of increasing demands for the use of ocean space and resources, and a changing climate.
Returning to the River: More People, More Places, More Times An explosion of people enjoying the water in kayaks, jet skis, paddle boards, tubes or just taking a dip is the result of recent improvements in water quality in the mainstem estuary of the Delaware River in the vicinity of Philadelphia, PA and Camden NJ. This exciting change demonstrates that the combination of actions by the Delaware River Basin Commission, federal, state and local agencies, citizens and clean water utilities to reduce pollution makes a difference! This improvement was celebrated this spring when American Rivers named the Delaware River its National River of the Year for 2020.
Growing Grassroots Panel Discussion Thanks so much to those who attended the American Littoral Society's Growing Grassroots panel discussion on Dec. 16. I hope you found the discussion engaging and enlightening.
SAVE THE DATE Save the Date: 2021 Lobster Run Saturday, April 17
The 6th Annual Lobster Run has been scheduled. However, registration will not open until COVID-19 gathering restrictions allow (hopefully in January).
As in previous years, start/finish will be at Langosta Lounge, 1000 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park. A wave start, as in 2020, will be implemented to maintain physical distancing during packet pick-up and on the course.
More details to come. Stay tuned to the Littoral Society website and social media.
JOIN US Membership, Renew or Join Today! Your loyalty and support enable us to continue to protect and care for the coast. Your membership supports marine science education programs for thousands of students, protecting and restoring marine life and habitat, and our efforts to defend the coast from harm. Show Your Support with Littoral Society Gear There are more ways than ever to show your support for the American Littoral Society. Now available at the Society online store are short-sleeve t-shirts in multiple designs/colors, as well as long-sleeve t's and baseball caps with the Society's name and/or logo.
Our Contact Information
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January Littoral News January 1, 2021 Happy New Year from the American Littoral Society
Join Us for Virtual New Year's Walks Friday, January 1
For the first time in over 35 years, the American Littoral Society is going virtual with our annual New Year’s Day walks.
The Society's staff put together a list of their favorite trails local to our offices and their homes on Alltrails.com. Click the first link to explore the list, or the second to search for other trails near you.
Or keep on your PJ's, pull up a comfy chair, grab a hot cup of cocoa, and join the Northeast Chapter's annual walk from the comfort of home via Facebook Live at 11 a.m. on Friday! Click Interested or Going through the Facebook event and you will be notified when the virtual walk begins. YOUR SUPPORT IS CRUCIAL 2021 Start of the Year Giving Campaign Help us start the New Year set up for success.
The American Littoral Society’s Annual Appeal is both our End of Year Giving Campaign and our start of the Year Giving Campaign. The effort extends through the end of February.
You can make an impact on coastal conservation, and you can have an impact on the Society’s success. As we continue to navigate these uncharted waters, please consider making a donation to the Littoral Society’s annual giving campaign by visiting www.littoralsociety.org/annualappeal.
COMING UP Virtual Winter Waterfowl and Seal Webinar Tuesday, January 26 6 p.m. Virtual, via Zoom Free
Join the American Littoral Society on Zoom for a virtual look at our winter friends that we typically see on our walks at Sandy Hook.
Participants will learn all about the birds/ducks that overwinter in New Jersey. They will also learn about Loons, Mergansers, Scaups, Scoters, Gannets, and many more!
Join us to discover more about the local seals we see in the colder months and we'll give you tips on where to go in New Jersey to see such wildlife with your friends or family. Stay tuned for a link. Winter Birds-Winter Survival Webinar Saturday, January 23 11 a.m. - Noon Virtual, via Zoom Free
Stay home and enjoy a virtual Zoom program by naturalist Don Riepe on birds and how they and other animals survive the freezing temperatures of winter.
For info and registration contact Don@littoralsociety.org
Zero Waste Workshop Wednesday, January 27
Join Littoral Society Education Director, Nicole Haines, as she discusses ways to reduce waste and live a more sustainable lifestyle.
This workshop will include:
Save the Date: 2021 Lobster Run Saturday, April 17
The 6th Annual Lobster Run has been scheduled. However, registration will not open until COVID-19 gathering restrictions allow (hopefully in January).
As in previous years, start/finish will be at Langosta Lounge, 1000 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park. A wave start, as in 2020, will be implemented to maintain physical distancing during packet pick-up and on the course.
More details to come. Stay tuned to the Littoral Society website and social media. Northeast Chapter News Reflections: A Revolving Art Installation Rockaway is surrounded by thousands of acres of parkland, hosting diverse wildlife, important cultural sites, and picturesque natural areas including Jamaica Bay, an urban tidal estuary.
As a public-private partnership, the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy supports 10,000 acres of this parkland and hosts programming and stewardship events in parks throughout the year, including co-hosting the bi-annual Rockaway! Free Arts Festival.
To highlight Jamaica Bay and Rockaway parks and raise awareness about these spaces, the Conservancy is launching a new revolving art installation - Reflections. Reflections, viewable safely at the Conservancy’s storefront window, will host works by local artists throughout the year, reflecting on the natural beauty and cultural importance of our parks.
To kick-off the installation, Don Riepe, Jamaica Bay Guardian and Director of the Northeast Chapter of the American Littoral Society, presents Scenes from Jamaica Bay highlighting wildlife and unique ecology found in this urban tidal estuary. Thirteen original photographs present an important look at wildlife and natural areas found in Jamaica Bay and Rockaway, including osprey, snowy owl, skimmers, painted turtles, humpback whale and more.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS Climate Change Mitigation: Creating an Inclusive and Responsible Offshore Wind Energy Future The American Littoral Society recognizes the development of offshore wind as an important component in the fight against climate change by replacing demand for energy production from dirty, polluting fossil fuel sources with clean, renewable energy sources. Development of offshore wind must be responsibly sited, and guided by continuous stakeholder participation.
In making New Jersey’s offshore wind goal a reality, wind energy projects will likely span hundreds of thousands of acres on leased ocean bottom off New Jersey’s coast, with the energy they produce cabled back to our shores. In fact, we already know that close to 100 wind turbines and 2 main cable routes will be built within the next couple of years just to meet the state’s first target for producing 1100 Megawatts of wind energy (Ocean Wind LLC).
JOIN US Membership, Renew or Join Today! Your loyalty and support enable us to continue to protect and care for the coast. Your membership supports marine science education programs for thousands of students, protecting and restoring marine life and habitat, and our efforts to defend the coast from harm. Show Your Support with Littoral Society Gear There are more ways than ever to show your support for the American Littoral Society. Now available at the Society online store are short-sleeve t-shirts in multiple designs/colors, as well as long-sleeve t's and baseball caps with the Society's name and/or logo.
Our Contact Information
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