wetlandsinstitute.org | 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd, Stone Harbor, NJ 08247 | 609.368.1211
by Meghan Kolk, Conservation Scientist
It is likely the amount of loss from stranding has increased due to erosion of beaches from rising tides and rougher waters. These erosional conditions create hazards as rubble from past infrastructure is exposed and horseshoe crabs risk becoming trapped.
The program provides each volunteer the opportunity to take direct conservation action by saving the lives of horseshoe crabs one at a time, while the combined effort of all volunteers contributes to the recovery of a keystone species.
Devoted volunteers go out on the beaches to rescue at all hours, and endure challenging conditions and biting insects to make their rescues. It is labor intensive work, but volunteers agree that the hard work is worth the reward of saving lives and contributing to conservation. RTF also gives volunteers a sense of community as they all share a passion for what they do, and many close friendships have been born out of the program. In addition to rescuing the crabs, volunteers collect important data to support habitat restoration. Beach restoration along the Delaware Bay has become one of the most significant strategies to protect spawning habitat for horseshoe crabs and foraging habitat for migratory shorebirds. The data collected by RTF volunteers has played a vital role in that work by identifying beaches in need of rubble removal and/or sand replenishment. Program coordinators recently developed an interactive map for biologists and the public to visualize program data, including key hazards and beaches to prioritize restoration projects and effort.
10 Years and Counting
The RTF program has grown significantly in the past decade as its message reaches more people each year. The enthusiasm of the volunteers to spread the word and share their passion as horseshoe crab ambassadors has played a huge role in the growth of the program. In its first year, the program started with six walk leaders, 45 volunteer hours, 43 individual walks, and saved just under 5,000 horseshoe crabs. Those numbers have steadily increased each year, as shown by the same statistics from 2021: 107 walk leaders, 2,605 volunteer hours, 867 individual walks, and almost 153,000 crabs rescued. In total (not including 2022 data) over 840,000 crabs have been saved!
The program is currently supported by Ocean Wind (An Ørsted and PSEG project) and the Marshall Reynolds Foundation.
The Wetlands Institute's partners in this program include the Executive Office of Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network – Manomet, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, Citizens United for the Maurice River, Friends of Cape May National Wildlife Refuge, The Nature Conservancy, New Jersey Audubon Society, and New Jersey Fish and Wildlife.
Views from theTower AUTUMN 2022 | VOLUME 50 | NO. 3NEWSLETTER ~ Overturned Horseshoe Crabs in need of rescue
The RTF program was introduced in 2013 to address these forms of stranding mortality and to bring more awareness to horseshoe crab conservation. Volunteers are trained by conservation professionals to properly rescue overturned and trapped horseshoe crabs that would otherwise succumb to dehydration or predation on eighteen beaches along the Delaware Bay.
reTURN the Favor (RTF) volunteers have a lot to be proud of as The Wetlands Institute’s horseshoe crab rescue program celebrated its tenth season this year. This dedicated team of horseshoe crab heroes has developed into a key piece of the conservation puzzle, contributing to the recovery of a keystone species in the Delaware Bay. Although the Delaware Bay hosts the largest concentration of spawning horseshoe crabs in the world, this population has experienced a substantial decline resulting primarily from overharvesting and habitat degradation. Many other species within the local ecosystem are affected by this decline, as horseshoe crab eggs play a significant role in the food web. The horseshoe crab’s most important ecological role is their connection to the survival of migratory Eachshorebirds.May, hundreds of thousands of shorebirds make a stopover on the Delaware Bay beaches on their way from South America to their breeding grounds in the Arctic, timing their two-week rest to coincide with the horseshoe crab’s spawning season. In order to complete the long-distance migration, which can exceed 9,000 miles, shorebirds rely on nutrient-rich horseshoe crab eggs to double their body weight and replenish depleted energy reserves. As the number of horseshoe crabs has plummeted, so have the populations of shorebirds that depend on them, particularly the federally threatened Red Knot. Changes in the condition of beaches and nearshore habitat have also impacted the population. During typical spawning activity, an estimated 10 percent of the population succumbs as a result of stranding. While coming ashore they can be easily overturned by waves, and are then vulnerable as their soft undersides are exposed to the sun and to predators.
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Bonnie Girard, Payroll and HR Coordinator
Founded in 1969 by Herbert Mills, Executive Director of the World Wildlife Fund.
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Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director Anne Brickley, Director of Administration Dr. Lisa Ferguson, Director of Research and Conservation Brooke Knapick, Director of Educational Program Development Research & Conservation Julie Blum, Research Scientist Samantha Collins, Research Scientist Meghan Kolk, Conservation Scientist Amanda Lyons, Research & Conservation Coordinator Brian Williamson, Research Scientist Education Danielle Meeker, Aquarist/ Environmental Educator
Views From the Tower is the quarterly newsletter of The Wetlands Institute and can also be found on our website.
Us Hours: Starting September 19, open Saturday and Sunday 9:30 to 4:30. Check our website for Holiday Hours.
Deborah A. Hays, Chair James Donohue, Vice-Chair Hank Schellenger, Treasurer John Flynn, Secretary Leadership
Marsh Musings
by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director
Carol Wyland, Finance Manager Administration Kirsten Chervenak, Visitor Services Coordinator Jeff Dix, Maintenance Technician Kimberly Dmytro, Tidepool Shop Manager "Sunny day" flooding at The Wetlands Institute marsh
Kelianne O'Shea, Environmental Educator Erin Rawls, Outreach Coordinator Development & Communications Devin Griffiths, Marketing and Communications Specialist Rae Griffiths, Office Assistant Finance Terrie Campbell, Financial Administrator
General Admission: Members: Free. Non-members: $8 Adults, $6 Children 3-12. Jeffrey RaymondAldertonBurke, III Timothy Jon Clay, D.M.D John JohnMargaretWilliamRobertaCuthbertDeVriesHankowskyMcAllisterMillar
Once again, I marvel at the inescapable feeling that time has a way of accelerating when it comes to summer at the shore. This year, like so many others, summer seems to have come and gone far too quickly. Time and the rate of change are curious things because we each bring a different perspective to our perception of Manyit. of you know that I am a geologist so my perception of time normally takes an incredibly long view and I see landscapes through a lens of eons and millennia and beyond. I often write about my observations of the changes that we are seeing and documenting in our local landscape. It seems like these changes are accelerating as well. Change is here and happening fast. Sea level rise is a major concern for the entire Jersey Shore and our observations of the changes to the marshes here show a dramatically increased frequency of their flooding, changing their structure and the protections that they afford our coastal communities. As the chief steward of The Wetlands Institute, time is now of the essence and it is time to focus our attention to enhancing the resiliency of the Institute. In July, The Wetlands Institute finalized the purchase of a property along Route 9 in Middle Township. The purchase of a site on the mainland is our first step in better preparing the physical infrastructure of The Wetlands Institute for the future. This new site –to be known as The Wetlands Institute Mainland Campus – strengthens the Institute’s position from the perspective of resiliency and is also an important step to accommodate our continued growth and development. The 1.2-acre property includes a fourbedroom house, oversized garage, storage shed, lit parking, and a fully fenced yard, and will provide a multitude of benefits to the Institute. We plan to renovate the property for mixed uses including office space and seasonal housing for our summer interns. It will also provide much-needed storage and maintenance areas and secure boat and fleet parking. We have plans to move some of our computing facilities and records to the mainland site as well. We have just begun planning for the renovations and will work closely with Middle Township on all aspects of the Weproject.also have plans to enhance resiliency for the main wetland campus that has been a fixture of Middle Township and Seven Mile Island for generations. Our sense of place is strong and our wetland campus will always be important to our mission. We are reimagining The Wetlands Institute campus and are exploring innovative projects to restore our marshes and protect the Institute from the increasing threats of rising seas and enhanced storms. It is our intent to make The Wetlands Institute a model for how we can build resiliency and continue to live in a vibrant and healthy marsh while inviting nature to be an integral part of the campus. Stay tuned for more about our plans for the future and how you can contribute your ideas to the process.
A non-profit organization studying, preserving, and protecting wetlands and coastal ecosystems.
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Work on beneficial use projects to restore and enhance marshes is continuing in the Seven Mile Island Innovation Lab. Gull Island and Sturgeon Island both were the subject of beneficial use placement projects in the fall of 2020. Both islands were very low lying and at risk of drowning and are important wading bird nesting sites. The Wetlands institute has been monitoring the sites for the past two years, and we are excited to report that the project sites are responding very well. Gull Island marshes have been uplifted to higher elevation and marsh grasses are growing where they had been lost. The large open water areas in the interior of Gull Island are now serving as important feeding and resting areas for migratory shorebirds and sections of eroding marsh edge have been stabilized. This fall, we plan to add more material to Sturgeon Island to continue the development of this location as important nesting bird habitat. Information about the projects can be found at: wetlandsinstitute.org/smiil.
Post-pandemic, we have talked about the priceless value of The Wetlands Institute and the importance of conserving this area. I was able to go bird banding with Wetlands Institute researchers and birders this summer, and not only was I amazed and inspired by the experience of holding three-week-old egrets, but I was in awe of this tireless and determined team. Our family has made an intentional commitment to support The Wetlands Institute because we want to make sure that the coming generations can savor this sweet life too. It feels essential to step up and respond to the delicate balance within the nature that surrounds us. Every detail in every day within this coastal community can and does make a difference.
by Annie Ulichney, Institute Member Stone Harbor becomes a special home, whether you vacation here for a week, a month, or a lifetime. The anticipation of returning builds as you pull off the Parkway and turn onto Stone Harbor Boulevard. You can’t help but roll the windows down to inhale the salty air of “beach smell” and exhale a sigh of relief (even in the rain). As a family, we have been fortunate to enjoy the smells, sounds, and sights of this beautiful community for our whole lives. When our three children were young, they all attended The Wetlands Institute’s Summer Nature Program every summer –and they loved it. Our daughters learned all about the various crabs, fish, jellyfish, and birds. While they learned about the ecosystem here, they deepened their connection to nature all around them. They would come home after camp and want to explore the sandbars during low tide in the bay, even showing me where to find the edible “pickle grass.” It was messy and stinky at times but these moments aligned their moral compass. Nature creates a curiosity to know and be more. Because of our busy cultural lifestyle, we have been cut off from our connection to nature. The Wetlands Institute is the bridge to rekindling our understanding of nature for all ages. To be honest, beyond seeing my kids’ faces light up even now at the mention of “Turtle Camp,” one of my favorite parts of their experience at The Wetlands is when they teach me about the animals they experienced close-up so many years ago. I love that they know where the eyes are on a horseshoe crab when we go to carry a washed-up crab back into the water on our walks at the beach. These small details have turned into an enormous appreciation of and respect for our surroundings here.
Around the Marsh by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director
Why We Support The Wetlands Institute
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THE 8 TH ANNUAL For a complete list of sponsors visit wetlandsinstitute.org/sc2022 Thanks to our sponsors who helped make this event a success! - Presenting SponsorsTHE DILLER FAMILY AND FOUNDATION ROSEMARY & HANKOWSKYBILL MARGARET McALLISTER & ERIK HIRSCH - Gold LevelWILL & WERMUTHJENNIE - Bronze LevelJeffrey H. & Lee Alderton Brown & Brown Insurance Ray & Ellen Burke Drs. Timothy & Rosemary Clay Citizens Bank Concentus Wealth Advisors CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC Jim Donohue & Carol Mager Halliday Financial Lois & Barry Hamilton Harbor Outfitters Deborah & Michael Hays Hays Sheet Metal, Inc. PhiladelphiaOceanFirstPhilliesJaneRakestraw RBC Wealth Management / The Boland Investment Group Peter & Amy Sargent Scarborough Marine Group Hank & Julie Schellenger ShopRite of Hunterdon County Philip & Amy Welsh WSFS Bank Yacht Club of Stone Harbor Avalon Flooring Atlantic Capes Fisheries/Cold Spring Fish & Supply Co./Lund’s WayneRobertaBurkeFisheriesSubaru“Bert”DeVriesHafetz&AssociatesPSEG&KayRenneisen Tom Russell / Stone Harbor Marina Seven Mile Times John & Amy Swanson Jon WashingtonTullisInn Laura Wilson & Mark Menting - Silver LevelThank you!
Environmental Education Interns spent 12 weeks leading public education programs and interacting with visitors of all ages, while braving the mud, bugs, salt water, and sun to create the best visitor experience possible. They worked hard and through it all developed the skills they need to continue their careers in the environmental education field. Each year, interns are asked to develop and implement an education project of their choosing that is personally and/or institutionally beneficial. The development of individual projects assists them in honing skill sets that are essential to creating fundamentally successful programs or initiatives within the field of environmental education.
A Summer of Growth by Brooke Knapick, Director of Educational Program Development All nine interns presented their independent projects at the Luing Family Internship Program Intern Symposium on August 1.
Francesca Jacobs (Washington College) used Procreate and Photoshop, two drawing and editing software applications, to adapt The Wetlands Institute’s Secrets of the Salt Marsh video to print format using digital media to create a series of four oneof-a-kind, hand-drawn posters. Each high-quality vinyl poster, measuring 36 inches high and 24 inches wide, highlights the key species seen in the salt marsh each season. Jackson Sullivan (Stockton University) utilized Canva, an online graphic design tool used to create engaging visual content, to develop two sets of trivia flip cards, each containing the answers to eight questions related to horseshoe crabs and filter feeders. These trivia flip cards serve as a fun and interactive educational resource for visitors heading into Terrapin Station or the Secrets of the Salt Marsh Aquarium. Kayla Thanner (Eckerd College) strived to close a gap in Environmental Education by introducing young adults to the animals and plants of the salt marsh through the creation of a Young Naturalist’s Guide to the Salt Marsh and Back Bays, available as part of the Virtual Wetlands Experience on The Wetlands Institute’s website. This e-book includes both pictures for identification, as well as words for learning and understanding, and in doing so is meant to allow readers of different attention spans to gain information how they would like.
This summer, Luing Family Internship Program
Christian Anthopoulos, now entering his Junior year at Eckerd College, monitored nesting activity of diamondback terrapins at two saltmarsh sites enhanced with dredge materials to provide elevated nesting habitat. Caroline Behnke, a recent graduate of University of Tennessee - Knoxville, tested effects of water source and temperature on the development of horseshoe crab eggs. Destiny Devlin, going into her Junior year at East Stroudsburg University, explored changes in vegetation community and habitat availability with elevation and salinity at an enhanced saltmarsh site. Rachel Helt, a rising Senior at Lebanon Valley College, investigated diamondback terrapin behavior along a stretch of road with an experimental section of barrier fence. Harrison Hepding, a recent graduate of University of Rhode Island, advanced our knowledge of secretive species of sparrows that nest in the saltmarsh by estimating occupancy and studying factors affecting nest site characteristics and nest success. Ella Souder, beginning her Senior year at University of Miami, examined intraspecific interactions between large gulls and American Oystercatchers to understand impacts to nest site selection on marsh islands.
We filled all 10 weeks of the Coastal Conservation Research Program Internship this summer to the brim with wetlands, birds, terrapins, and horseshoe crabs! Six CCRP interns joined our staff to monitor the summer’s happenings, learn more about the field of wildlife and wetlands conservation, and conduct their own independent research projects. The interns added incredible energy and fun to our summer and, in turn, we were inspired and impressed by their progress and insights - not to mention grateful for all their hard work!
wetlandsinstitute.org find us on by Dr. Lisa Ferguson, Director of Research & Conservation
2022 EE Interns, L to R: Francesca Jacobs, Jackson Sullivan, Kayla Thanner
Summer Intern Projects
Coastal Conservation Research Program 2022 CCRP Interns, L to R: Rachel Helt, Ella Souder, Caroline Behnke, Harrison Hepding, Christian Anthopoulos, Destiny Devlin.
My name is Kelianne O’Shea and I am the new Environmental Educator at The Wetlands Institute. I have my B.S. in Wildlife Management and Conservation from Delaware Valley University in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Since graduating, I have worked in Environmental Education in Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World and Animal Keeping at the Cape May County Park/Zoo. I’ve worked with numerous species of animals including: capybaras, kangaroos, rattlesnakes, axolotls, and giant tortoises. The animals I enjoy teaching about and caring for the most are reptiles and amphibians; my favorite is the Amazon Milk Frog. Throughout my career, I worked in both the Animal Keeping field and Environmental Education, and realized my passion is teaching about the environment. Growing up in South Jersey, I was able to spend my childhood at the beach, in the marsh, and exploring the woods, which inspired me to work in Environmental Education as I got older. I love inspiring and teaching the next generation about the wonderful world around them. I am most excited to teach and inspire a variety of kids; from those visiting for the summer to the year-round residents. I know how much being outside and the environment impacted my life growing up, and I am extremely passionate in sharing all of my knowledge and ideas with the next generation, while also adding my new ideas into the already extensive programs here at The Wetlands Institute.
Welcome!
Julie received a Master of Science in the Ecology and Evolution program at Rutgers University in 2020, after completing a thesis on spatial and volumetric distribution of organic carbon in tidal marsh sediments. Earlier in her career, she earned a Bachelor of Science at Gettysburg College and spent several years working with various State and Federal agencies on data collection, data management, and geospatial analysis related to watersheds, water quality, coastal geomorphology, and climate resilience. Julie has always loved wildlife, especially birds, and she is enthusiastic to contribute to the ongoing collaborative research that is integral to the protection and restoration of the coastal habitats that so many species rely upon. With her background in coastal landscape dynamics, she will work with the Institute to improve tidal marsh management and increase resilience by investigating the ecological, geological, and chemical factors related to coastal change.
Kirsten is so excited to be a part of The Wetlands Institute and is looking forward to working for an organization with such an amazing purpose.
Julie Blum joined us as a Research Scientist in early August. Prior to joining, she worked with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, coordinating the development of a statewide strategy for increasing carbon storage and sequestration potential in the state's natural and working lands. She also contributed to the development of prioritization procedures for tidal marsh restoration projects based on carbon storage potential, ecological significance, and vulnerability of coastal communities.
Meet Kelianne O'Shea Kirsten Chervenak joined The Wetlands Institute team as our Visitor Services Coordinator in August. Growing up in the mountains of northern New Jersey, she has always had a passion for the environment and all nature has to offer. She has a background in environmental science and forest management from time spent attaining a Bachelor's degree from Stockton KirstenUniversity.has had opportunities to travel the country – and the globe – exploring various places like Yellowstone National Park, South Korea, and much of Greece. She spends her time outside of The Wetlands Institute exploring with her son and serving as an armament specialist in the New Jersey Air National Guard.
Welcome to The Team Our 2022 Institutional Sponsors
Meet Julie Blum Meet Kirsten Chervenak
The Wetlands Institute is closely monitoring COVID-19 developments and guidance issued by state and local agencies, specifically as they relate to our Autumn Happenings. As needed, we are planning for and adjusting our programs and operations accordingly to promote community and staff safety, both on our grounds and during our programs. When visiting us, please join us in creating a safe, enriching, and fun experience for all of our visitors by understanding our programs may be modified in accordance with this guidance. We will see you soon!
Autumn Happenings
An estimated one billion birds die from window collisions every year in the United States alone. You can help make migration safer with this highperformance clear bird tape, which can reduce bird/window collisions by up to 90 percent! It's autumn, and fall migration is in full swing - and our Tidepool Shop has a plethora of items that are truly for the birds! Come on in and check them out - our book and gift shop is open every day from 9:30am to 4:30pm until September 19, 2022. Starting September 19, we will be open Saturday and Sunday from 9:30am to 4:30pm. Can’t visit us? Call and purchase by phone, or browse our online Tidepool Shop at tidepool-shop.myshopify.com 24/7! We will ship your purchase anywhere in the United States.
During this live animal presentation, get up close and personal with turtles, fish, crabs, sea stars and urchins, mollusks, horseshoe crabs, or the popular animals of Finding Nemo. Creature Feature 12:30 PM Monday & Friday Get your feet wet (or wear waders!) as you discover what swims in the back bays. Help us drag seine or dip nets through the water to find crabs, shrimp, fish, and more. Catch o’ the Day Wednesday12:30 PM Seashells at the seashore! Join us to learn all about seashells, how to collect them without harming the environment, and touch an assortment of live mollusks and cool artifacts. Seashell Sunday 12:30 PM Sunday Watch our award-winning film, Secrets of the Salt Marsh, then join us for an interpretive marsh walk along our elevated walkway and onto the dock overlooking Scotch Bonnet creek! Salt Marsh Safari 11 AM & 2 PM Daily Local Guides
Oystercatcher Mug
Adorned with a hunting American Oystercatcher – one of our most charming and iconic shorebirds – this handsome ceramic mug is the perfect vessel for sipping your favorite hot beverage and chasing away the chill of an autumn morning.
As the summer season draws to a close and we transition into autumn, The Wetlands Institute is open daily from September 6-18, 2022. Unless otherwise stated, all activities are free with admission and occur onsite at The Wetlands Institute. For more information, visit wetlandsinstitute.org/events.
Winter hours and activities start September 19, 2022. Starting then, The Wetlands Institute will be open on Saturday and Sunday. Please check our website calendar for programming updates as we transition from autumn to winter hours. Help us feed the local marine life! We will open up feeding three times each week so you can see the burrfish eating crabs and the horseshoe crab gobbling shrimp. Aquarium Feeding 12:30 PM Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday
Tidepool Shop
Want to learn about the birds of NJ and PA? These American Birding Association field guides are a perfect place to start! Filled with gorgeous photography and clear text, they're ideal for anyone curious about the history and diversity of the region's birds.
Collidescape Bird Tape
Membership does more than give you access to the Institute and our programs – it allows us to continue our impactful research, conservation, and education work on behalf of our coastal ecosystem and all who depend on it. Your support makes a world of difference, so become a member or renew today! Visit wetlandsinstitute.org/membership to join. Thank you!*$12,000 if all 240 tickets are sold. No substitution of the offered prize may be made. Winner does not need to be present to win. Must be 18 years of age or older to participate. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call toll-free 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537). Net proceeds will be used to further environmental education and conservation programs at The Wetlands Institute. RA# 10-22 481-5-25895 Middle Township. The Wetlands Institute’s Call 609.368.1211 or stop in to buy tickets. Drawing: December 9, 2022 at The Wetlands Institute Only 240 tickets being sold... Get yours today!
A non-profit organization studying, preserving, and protecting wetlands and coastal ecosystems 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd. Stone Harbor, NJ 08247-1424
...handhelping...become a member or renew today!
As a conservation organization, we have a special responsibility to address the global challenges of climate change and sustainability. We are committed to minimizing environmental impacts in all aspects of our operations. Visit our website at wetlandsinstitute.org/about-us/ sustainability/ for more on our sustainability initiatives.
Views from theTower ~ Lend a
