Originally published in Seven Mile Times' Holiday 2015 issue Celebrate what you want to se e more of. ~Tom Peters
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Wetlands Institute:
Standing Up For Nature,
THEN & NOW By Dr. Lenore Tedesco of The Wetlands Institute
The Wetlands Institute photo taken by drone – Institute and marsh
even Mile Beach and the backbay meadows are very special places. The island provides an amazing wealth that is often appreciated relative to its beautiful beaches, wonderful dining and memorable times with family and friends. Seven Mile Beach is also a remarkable place for its natural resources – natural resources that often go unnoticed. The rich mosaic of environments and habitats found here make this a place so special that for many animals who live or pass through here on their great migrations, this is a place of importance. This gift also brings great responsibility because what happens here – good and bad – has profound impact to these animals and also to us. Since 1972, the iconic tower of the Wetlands Institute has been welcoming residents and visitors back to the island communities they love. The Institute was founded in 1969 by Herbert Mills, then executive director of the World Wildlife Fund, to fulfill his lifelong vision of creating a world-class research, conservation and education center that would educate people of all ages about the beauty and wonders of the coastal environment, and the importance of that environment to their daily lives and well-being. In the face of dramatic wetland loss and infilling, during a time that predates most of the environmental protections we now have, he purchased 6,000 acres of wetlands and preserved the splendor Holiday 2015
of Seven Mile Beach forever. His dream was to help people understand the importance of wetlands and to inspire everyone to preserve and protect coastal and wetland ecosystems. For almost 50 years, The Wetlands Institute has been working on important conservation issues and translating crucial research into action through engaging conservation and education programs. In 2011, The Wetlands Institute put forth a bold new plan to address threats to wetlands, coastal ecosystems and the animals who rely on them. In doing so, we are also protecting and preserving Seven Mile Beach, our community, its intrinsic beauty, and the way of life so many enjoy. All of us at The Wetlands Institute understand that our marshes and coastal ecosystems are crucial to our communities, our lifestyle and our well-being. We know that they provide storm protection to our homes and businesses; that they store billions of gallons of water to reduce flooding and improve water quality. We understand that most of the commercial fish and shellfish we consume depend on healthy wetlands. We appreciate that so many of the threatened and endangered birds and fish rely on wetlands for their survival. We treasure the intrinsic beauty of wetlands. Forty-eight years ago, The Wetlands Institute made a stand for the protection of our marshes. We forever protected all of the marsh extending from the
The Wetlands Institute in July 1973, shortly after construction.
mainland to the islands, and from north of Sea Isle to south of Wildwood. We fought for the protection of wetlands nationwide, and set upon a course of research, conservation and education of wetland and coastal ecosystems. Can you imagine Seven Mile Beach today if we hadn’t? It wasn’t by accident that this location in southern New Jersey was chosen to anchor The Wetlands Institute. The institute’s founder understood the uniqueness and wealth of resources we all appreciate in so many ways. He created an opportunity for research, exploration and learning right here in the middle of a salt marsh so that future generations could continue enjoying, protecting and benefiting from these wetlands. While the early fight to preserve and protect our wetlands succeeded in slowing the loss of wetlands, the conditions of these meadows are in a constant flux. Wetlands are being impacted by devastating natural and man-made forces. Tragically, many people still view marshes as wastelands. Nationally, more
than 50 percent of wetlands have been lost. In New Jersey, more than 40 percent are gone. Historically, the threat has come from development. Those threats remain, but wetlands now face even greater threats. Rising sea level and increased intensity and frequency of coastal storms is causing erosion and drowning of wetlands. Superstorm Sandy, and several coastal storms since, remind us of the importance wetlands have for coastal protection, but the marshes and their inhabitants are stressed. Marsh nesting birds, already pushed into marginal nesting areas because of habitat degradation and loss, are increasingly losing nests and eggs to flooding tides. Diamondback terrapins, already driven to nesting on roadsides in search of high ground, face additional threats as more ground is flooded. Finally, the marsh itself is becoming flooded more and more frequently, changing the very structure of the marsh and impacting its effectiveness for coastal resiliency and shoreline protection. continued on page 72 WWW.SEVENMILETIMES.COM