Views from theTower
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WINTER 2020-2021 | VOLUME 48 | NO. 4
Wading Around the Marsh by Sam Collins, Research Scientist
short supply. To help ensure reproductive success, these birds typically select nest sites in areas secluded from the mainland and its host of mammalian predators, within elevated areas to reduce the likelihood of nest flooding, and among vegetation that conceals incubating adults and young. Great Egret
Spend any time around a marsh and you’ll come across a familiar sight: Elegant, long-legged birds wandering among the grasses or hunting in the shallow water. These birds – herons and egrets – are some of the wetlands’ most iconic species. They belong to a group known as wading birds, which includes cranes, egrets, herons, storks, spoonbills, and ibises. Wading birds have physical and behavioral adaptions for living in wetland ecosystems, like extra-long legs to help keep feathers dry when wading through the water, toes that are thin and splayed to disperse their weight and prevent them from sinking in the mud, and bills designed for spearing fish or probing the mud for insects.
Glossy Ibis
Most wading birds nest in colonies, a strategy that gives each individual a better chance of escaping an intruding predator while tending to its nest. These nesting colonies are usually made up of different species of wading birds and are often shared with other water-associated birds, like gulls and cormorants, as suitable nesting sites are increasingly in
Black-crowned Night-Heron on nest
New Jersey’s wading birds have experienced shifts in nesting abundance and distribution state-wide, and many are now considered species of concern. Habitat loss associated with coastal development and increases in flooding within nesting areas are major concerns for these species. Sturgeon and Gull Islands, located just north of The Wetlands Institute and part of the Seven Mile Island Innovation Lab, are crucial nesting areas hosting an estimated 25 percent or more of all nesting wading birds in the state – including Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Glossy Ibis, Black-crowned Night Heron, Tricolored Heron, and Little Blue Heron. Scientists at the Institute are studying the nesting habits and success of wading birds at these sites to understand nesting habitat preferences, causes and timing of nest loss, and changes in species abundance and distribution within and between seasons. What we learn should lead to better nesting area management and the development of habitat enhancement plans. Studying these birds is no easy task. We limit our time in the colonies to reduce
disturbance, and dense vegetation limits the visibility of our subjects. To help address these challenges and to better assist in understanding survival and return rates, this year we began banding Great Egret adults and chicks. Great Egrets captured on Sturgeon or Gull Island wear bright yellow bands with black codes that are readable from a distance. We have already resighted some of the banded fledgling chicks feeding in the marshes around the Institute – and you can help as well. If you see a banded Great Egret, note the color and code on the band, the date/time, and location – and grab a photo if you can. We appreciate any direct reports of our banded birds (scollins@ wetlandsinstitute.org), or you can report to reportband.gov.
Research Scientist Sam Collins banding Great Egret chicks
Research on these wading birds has been used to inform restoration projects using material dredged from navigation channels to create habitat that will benefit colonial nesting wading birds and other marsh-dependent species. You can help with these and other efforts that work toward enhancing populations of sensitive coastal bird species by participating in our adoption program. By symbolically adopting an Oystercatcher, you directly help fund critical research and conservation activities through our Coastal Birds Program at The Wetlands Institute. Stay tuned and look for more opportunities to contribute to these efforts!
wetlandsinstitute.org | 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd, Stone Harbor, NJ 08247 | 609.368.1211
A non-profit organization studying, preserving, and protecting wetlands and coastal ecosystems. Founded in 1969 by Herbert Mills, Executive Director of the World Wildlife Fund.
Marsh Musings by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director
Deborah A. Hays, Chair Jane Rakestraw, Vice-Chair Robert Rich, Treasurer John Flynn, Secretary Jeffrey Alderton Raymond Burke, III Timothy Jon Clay, D.M.D Michael Craig John Cuthbert Roberta DeVries James Donohue Lois Hamilton
Trish Luing Mary Millar Wayne Renneisen Donna Rothman Hank Schellenger Amy Welsh William Wermuth
Staff Leadership
Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director Dr. Lisa Ferguson, Director of Research and Conservation Bonnie Girard, Director of Finance and Administration Brooke Knapick, Director of Educational Program Development
Research & Conservation Samantha Collins, Research Scientist Brittany Morey, Research Associate Brian Williamson, Research Scientist
Education
Danielle Meeker, Aquarist/ Environmental Educator Erin Rawls, Outreach Coordinator Sue Slotterback, Environmental Educator
Administration
Terrie Campbell, Financial Admin. Assistant Jeff Dix, Maintenance Technician Kimberly Dmytro, Tidepool Shop Devin Griffiths, Marketing and Communications Specialist Stephanie Stroble, Front Desk Receptionist/ Admissions Coordinator Dale Watson, Gardener
Visit Us Hours: Open Saturday and Sunday 9:30 to
4:30. Check our website for Holiday Hours. General Admission: Members: Free. Non-members: $8 Adults, $6 Children 3-12.
Views From the Tower is the quarterly newsletter of The Wetlands Institute and can also be found on our website.
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As I think about the final quarter of 2020, I do so with weary eyes. This has been a year of challenges for The Wetlands Institute. I know that most, if not all of you can relate because of the challenges faced by you and your families. The Wetlands Institute faced the stress of closure and remote work that has been gradually eroding the fabric of our staff family. With great effort, we have managed to adapt to the added burden of reduced staffing and changing research protocols to meet our conservation goals. The need to contend with widespread cancellations in our visitor programs, special events, and education programs has been our most daunting challenge. We are not alone. The impact of COVID-related closures on environmental education and nature centers nationally has been acute. I am proud to say that through the process of adaptation this year, I learned the strength of resiliency. We worked to transform our Summer Celebration, creating an entirely online event. We found in our new approach that we were able to tell our story to many more of you, and to build awareness of the Institute and its programs to a broader constituency. Our educators continue to work to reimagine essentially all that they do. They were able to bring the summer camp essence of our Summer Nature Program to life by creating exciting activities of exploration and discovery for families at home. They built on this approach to launch an expanded homeschooling program, which extends beyond the traditional homeschooling family to include enhancements to help all families who suddenly find their children struggling with virtual schooling. There is so much more we will have to do. We recognize that the strength of The Wetlands Institute is in the connections that we help people make with the natural world. Providing engaging
exploration of the natural world is at the heart of what we do. Connecting people with nature is a core competency of the Institute. We will remain true to our core, and develop new ways that allow us to deliver even better than before.
As this pandemic continues to impact our lives, we are all forced to ask questions that go well beyond the timeline for the return to normal. Instead, we are considering the ways that things will permanently change. We continue to face a long and difficult road, but we are a strong organization. Our commitment to our staff and core programs will not falter. Our mission and vision are sound and clear, and we will continue to focus our efforts to realize them. As we work to close out 2020, I look to all of you – our friends and supporters – to consider how you can help. Your support has made us strong. The increase we have seen in your generosity this year has made all the difference. It has given us the power to meet these challenges head on. Most importantly, it has given us hope. Your gifts and donations send a loud and resounding message to the staff family here that what they do matters, that you believe in The Wetlands Institute, our work, and its importance. That is perhaps the biggest gift of all. Your continued support through these incredible times will remain a vital pillar of strength. If you have ideas or ways you think you can help, or if you need to reconnect, my door remains open. Stand with us now and renew your commitment to the greatness we will continue to be.
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Building Strong: Achieving Our Endowment Goal by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director Last year, The Wetlands Institute celebrated its 50th Anniversary. We looked back and honored all those that came before us and acknowledged their wisdom and leadership to protect these wildlands and lay a foundation for research, conservation, and education that transcends us all. In celebration, The Wetlands Institute launched the 50th Anniversary Endowment Campaign with a goal of raising $3.5 $3,500,000
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for operations and special projects. Funds returned from investments support our core mission by allowing us to steward coastal resources, train tomorrow’s environmental professionals, and inspire a new generation to fill our shoes one day. Endowments are incredibly important tools to build strength and resiliency. The real power of endowment is in its continuity. Gifts to the Endowment are preserved in perpetuity, with the funds 3
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million. It was time to embark on executing our vision for the future – a vision that addresses current issues while remaining true to our core values. It was time to secure our future for the next fifty years.
Thus far, we have raised more than $3.35 million towards the $3.5 million goal. Gifts have been split nearly evenly between general endowment support
Our 2020 Institutional Sponsors
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help put us over the finish line. They will give an additional $50,000 to the campaign if we can match the challenge. Now is the perfect time to join us to secure our future.
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Donations Directed to Endowment
pooled for maximum benefit and invested to achieve long-term growth while returning funds to support operations. The strength of the Endowment has been incredible and the timing has been simply amazing. Over the past two years, income generated by the Endowment has returned more than $200,000 to support Institute operations, while still growing the Endowment by more than $350,000. We have felt the power and the impact of this generosity across the organization. The power of the endowment to support operations was instrumental in providing strength to navigate the challenges imposed by COVID. We are very close to reaching our Endowment Campaign goal and a generous donor has made a challenge to
As you know, we MAKE NO SMALL PLANS. We have undertaken crucial programs to address the significant stresses that rising seas are putting on our marshes and the wildlife that depend on them. We are working to build resiliency into the marsh, and also into our facilities that support our research, conservation, education, and outreach work. The importance and impact of our efforts are growing at a remarkable rate. This focus on resilience will be at the core of our research and conservation programs for the foreseeable future, and the outcomes will greatly affect all that we hold dear. Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties. It’s a measure of toughness. Endowed funds, whether directed to a core program or to the general endowment, are the surest way for The Wetlands Institute to build resilience. We do so much with limited resources. Your gift to the endowment can ensure that we remain strong. Your gift can ensure that our work to conserve wildlife continues and the wildlands that help bring all of us peace and tranquility remain protected and flourishing. Your gift can help us secure this future. We have accomplished so much, but there is more to do. If you would like to learn more, please contact me (ltedesco@ wetlandsinstitute.org; 609-368-1211). Every gift matters.
How We Built This: Virtual Field Trips by Erin Rawls, Outreach Coordinator For the Education Department, like so many others, this year is all about adaptation. Shifting our field trips into a virtual space has been no exception. Though this process has been demanding, the virtual programs so far have received great feedback. Virtual field trip programming is an exciting new way to be able to reach students, both near and far, that might be unable to visit The Wetlands Institute in person. So, how are we doing it? What happens behind the scenes of a virtual field trip? Field trips are designed to be as interactive as possible, full of hands-on activities and exploration that bring science to life. Changing field trips in a way that meaningfully translates through a screen was a big hurdle, and one that took a great deal of creative thought to overcome. For example, after much consideration, a full field obstacle course style horseshoe crab game was turned into a virtual “choose
your own adventure” activity. Instead of students encountering tangible obstacles as they physically maneuver the course, students would instead virtually choose a numbered horseshoe crab and follow along to see if it survived the many obstacles horseshoe crabs face during its life. During this activity, the pedagogy shifts in an impactful way that keeps students invested and interested, while still illustrating the core science concepts intended.
run the field trips. It is not as simple as sitting down with a laptop and logging in! Running a virtual program involves a lighting set up, external cameras, wireless microphones, sound buffers, technology troubleshoots, hosting platforms, and securing lots of visual materials to bring the concepts to life, including live animals, pictures of what a salt marsh looks like, and other audio and visual learning aids. While the setup and delivery methods are different, the principles of science remain the same. Come check it out at: wetlandsinstitute.org/education.
Adapting field trip activities to the screen was the first challenge, but then there was the task of actually setting up to
A Letter From the NEHST by Sue Slotterback, Environmental Educator Dear Parents, Grandparents, Teachers, Aunts and Uncles of the very best kind, and to you who are facing the uncertainties and concerns of our children’s education: Much of the conversation about education these days has been equated to “building the plane while flying it”, which is obviously disconcerting. Through the turbulence some have landed in The Wetlands Institute’s NEHST – Nature Education for Homeschooling Students and Teachers. The NEHST has been a staple program of The Wetlands Institute since 2007, with nine monthly
wetlandsinstitute.org
classes within three overarching semester themes from September through May. These in-person classes embody the benefits, both mentally and physically, of learning outdoors. To supplement the inperson learning, every month’s Branching Activities offer more ideas, activities, and places to go, effectively taking the topic across the curriculum. This autumn, we hatched the new NEHST Box Activity Pack. This Activity Pack is filled with interdisciplinary activities that can be done at home, both inside and outside, along with supplies and background information needed to complete the activities. Some activities are versions of what we do in the in-person program, but many are other branches of each semester’s theme. Additionally, this year’s Branching Activities are available through a virtual Bitmoji space on the Institute’s homeschool webpage. By clicking on the Bitmoji icons in the space, learners can be shown a video, a book, a simple at-home activity, or some fun facts about the topic at hand.
Branching Activities for the NEHST From Winding Rivers to the Estuary
Where Water Flows A u t u m n S e me s t e r 2 0 2 0
Now (more than ever!) when most children are schooling remotely, the NEHST has become more than just a program for traditional homeschooled children. It can bolster virtual classroom instruction in a safe and meaningful way, in a manner that promotes equity, as well as health and safety for all children currently learning from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. So come, “Fly into the NEHST”, either virtually or in-person, and join us for this Winter Semester “Adaptations for Survival” and Spring Semester “Habits of Habitat”. More information at: wetlandsinstitute.org/education/ homeschool-programs.
reTURN the Favor: One crab, two crabs… half a million horseshoe crabs and more by Dr. Lisa Ferguson, Director of Research and Conservation
Each spring, the Delaware Bay plays host to one of nature’s great spectacles as hundreds of thousands of horseshoe crabs – the largest concentration in the world – come ashore to spawn. They are followed by countless migrating shorebirds that descend on the Bay beaches to feed on the excess of horseshoe crab eggs lining the shore. These crabs face threats from a variety of sources, and during spawning are vulnerable to exposure and predators after being flipped over by waves or becoming trapped by obstacles on the beach. The reTURN the Favor (RTF) program continues to do significant good for the Delaware Bay horseshoe crab population, demonstrating just how much can be
accomplished for conservation through collective action. After receiving training each year, RTF volunteers sign up to rescue crabs that become stranded on New Jersey beaches during spawning, and submit data from their walks. It has been estimated that 10 percent of stranded crabs eventually die. To reduce these preventable losses to this recovering population, nine groups work together through the RTF program to sponsor Delaware Bay beaches in Cape May and Cumberland counties, and around 100 volunteers lead walks for the program each year from May – July. Since the program started in 2013, over 685,000 horseshoe crabs have been rescued, on nearly 4,000 walks. This good is accomplished by RTF volunteers willing to bear the late nights, gnat-attacks, and back-bending work to rescue crabs, one by one by one. Their dedication to helping horseshoe crabs and the health of the Delaware Bay ecosystem is inspiring, and each year we take note of program milestones. Last year, the program surpassed over half a million crabs rescued, and the accomplishments of the program were recognized with a Governor’s Excellence Award. In 2020, despite a shortened season, fewer volunteers, and safety restrictions compelled by Covid-19, the program turned out its highest total yet, with each RTF volunteer pitching in like never before to rescue stranded crabs.
hazardous areas on the beaches where crabs become stuck, understanding conditions that heighten strandings, and taking action to reduce these risks. A grant through the US Fish & Wildlife Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program allowed us to remove impingement hazards on spawning beaches to benefit the crabs and the migratory shorebirds that depend on their eggs for food. In an effort to further reduce stress on the crabs, we recently developed a sign-on letter to petition the FDA to recognize a synthetic alternative to Limulus ambeocyte lystate, a component of horseshoe crab blood, for biomedical uses. In addition to our dedicated volunteers and program partners, we have been lucky to have programmatic support from Ørsted Wind Energy in 2019 and 2020. You can help too, through our horseshoe crab adoption program. Your symbolic adoption directly helps fund critical research and conservation activities. Learn more at wetlandsinstitute.org/adopt/.
We are learning and doing much more through the program, by identifying
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Paperless newsletters are more sustainable and they help reduce our cost so a larger portion of your gifts directly support our research, conservation, and education programs. Sign up for our e-newsletter at wetlandsinstitute.org/about-us/newsletter.
Around the Marsh Give the Gift of Membership! Our members are the backbone of The Wetlands Institute. When you give the gift of membership to The Wetlands Institute, you not only support our mission but you also allow us to advance our impactful research, conservation, and education work. Annual memberships start at $25 and provide free admission to the Institute, a 10% discount at our Tidepool Shop, and discounted rates on most special events and programs. You can purchase memberships on our website, by phone at 609-368-1211, or by visiting The Wetlands Institute.
ADOPTIONS make GREAT GIFTS
ADOPT
ADOPT
ADOPT
a Terrapin
a Horseshoe Crab
an Oystercatcher
Our symbolic Adoption programs allow YOU to contribute directly to the conservation of Diamondback Terrapins, Horseshoe Crabs, and beach nesting birds like American Oystercatchers. Adoption benefits and levels are listed on our website at wetlandsinstitute.org/conservation.
Tidepool Shop
Our book and gift shop is open every weekend from 9:30am to 4:30pm. Can’t visit us? Call and purchase by phone or shop online at tidepool-shop.myshopify.com; we will ship your purchase anywhere in the United States*. Looking for a meaningful gift that also supports our mission? Find it at the Tidepool Shop. Not sure what to get? We also have gift cards!
Add a little shore decor to your holiday decorating with a variety of unique nature and beach-themed ornaments – some whimsical, some beautiful, but all guaranteed to stir memories of warm days on the beach during the cold winter months.
If you know someone who loves nature and appreciates the ability to capture its essence in stunning works of art, Lance Lichtensteiger's sculptures are the perfect gift. Carved from reclaimed American Wormy Chestnut and stained to preserve the wood's grain and texture, each sculpture is imbued with extraordinary realism. * Sculptures available for pickup only.
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Winter Happenings As conditions allow, join us all winter long for activities on the marsh every Saturday and Sunday. Unless otherwise stated, all activities are free with admission and occur onsite at the Institute. For up-to-date information, visit wetlandsinstitute.org/events.
Seasonal Science Activities
Creature Feature & Craft
10AM to 4PM
2PM
Saturday and Sunday
Each month we will offer a new self-guided science activity related to seasonal changes in nature. We provide the supplies and you create the learning!
Aquarium Feeding
Watch our Virtual Creature Feature online and then pop in for a visit to get up close and personal with a host of live animals including turtles, crabs, mollusks, horseshoe crabs, or the popular animals of Finding Nemo. After the presentation, grab your very own take-and-make craft for home!
Saturday
Aquarium Teaching & Touch Tank Sunday 11AM Before you come, learn all you can from our Aquarist at our Virtual Aquarium Teaching and Watch Tank, and then view all the animals live – including whelk, sea urchins, sea stars, mud snails, and more! You’ll even get to hold some from our portable touch tanks.
id You Kn o w
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Watch our Virtual Aquarium Feeding and then head on over to see the animals eat live in person. We will open up feeding time so you can see the box turtles munching tomato, the terrapins chasing fiddler crabs, and the horseshoe crab gobbling shrimp.
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All virtual presentations are available for viewing on the Aquarium Bytes section of our Virtual Wetlands Experience portal at wetlandsinstitute.org/ aquarium-bytes.
The Wetlands Institute is closely monitoring COVID-19 developments and the guidance issued by state and local agencies, specifically as they relate to our Winter Happenings. We are planning and adjusting our programs and operations as needed to promote community and staff safety, both on our grounds and during our programs. When visiting, please join us in creating a safe, enriching, and fun experience for all of our visitors by understanding that our programs may be modified in accordance with this guidance. We will see you soon!
A Fresh Perspective
George Clarke Lecture Series
The Wetlands Institute’s Annual
Many years ago a donor made an endowed gift to create a lecture series at The Wetlands Institute, honoring a family friend named George Clarke. For years, The Wetlands Institute held summer season lectures, and most recently offered weekly Lunch ‘n Learn lectures and monthly Covered Dish Dinner presentations throughout the winter. To maintain the legacy and intention of this generous donation, we are officially naming our winter lecture series the George Clarke Lecture Series, and redesigning it with an eye toward fitting the needs of the time – both now and in the future. For now, that means offering a virtual winter season lecture series, and for the future, the sky’s the limit as we reimagine. We invite you to stay tuned for more details on our upcoming virtual winter lecture series, and if you have thoughts or suggestions we would love to hear from you.
Call 609.368.1211 to buy tickets. Drawing: December 16, 2020, 1:00pm at The Wetlands Institute
Only 240 tickets being sold... Get yours today! *$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 tollfree 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537). Net proceeds will be used to further environmental education and conservation programs at The Wetlands Institute. RA# 09-20 481-5-25895 Middle Township.
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Presort Non-Profit US Postage PAID Permit 1940 Bellmawr, NJ
1075 Stone Harbor Blvd. Stone Harbor, NJ 08247-1424
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A non-profit organization studying, preserving, and protecting wetlands and coastal ecosystems
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.
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Views from theTower
Reflecting Forward
Yes! I want to support The Wetlands Institute! $500 $250 $100 $50 Other ______
The year 2020 was one of unprecedented challenges, requiring all of us to rethink the way we connect with each other and with the world beyond our doors. Here at the Institute, we had to reimagine what it means to be an organization dedicated to helping people make meaningful connections to nature.
3 Simple Ways to Give: • Call 609.368.1211 to donate by phone, • Complete and mail to: The Wetlands Institute, 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd, Stone Harbor, NJ 08247, or
• Donate online at wetlandsinstitute.org/donate
We were faced with tough choices, but we adapted to the new reality. We discovered the power of resilience. And we were reminded that we are not alone. The support of all of you, our extended Wetlands family, lifted us up and carried us through. Your generosity showed us that you love the wetlands and value the work we do on their behalf.
My check payable to The Wetlands Institute is enclosed. Place a one-time gift on my credit card for $_________. Bill my credit card $________ Monthly Quarterly Annually. My/my spouse’s employer or company will match my gift. CREDIT CARD:
___________________________________________________________ Card Number 2020-4QDMA
For more than half a century, we've been studying and protecting our coastal wetlands, and educating people about their critical importance – and your support makes it possible. Please, make a gift today so that we can continue our lifesaving work to safeguard the future of the wetlands you love, for all who depend on them.
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__________________________________________________________________ Name as it appears on card
I have already included The Wetlands Institute in my will or other estate plan. (If you have already included The Wetlands Institute in your will or other estate plan, please let us know so that we can welcome you into the Herbert Mills Legacy Society.)