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Views from theTower WINTER 2021-2022 | VOLUME 49 | NO. 4
And Now... for the Rest of the Story by Brooke Knapick, Director of Educational Program Development
So much of what makes outdoor and environmental education impactful, and real, relies on the interaction of participant, educator and outdoor experience, all working in concert to create a genuine human connection to the environment. It is the sights, the smells, the sounds, the feelings, the immersion in the environment that creates connection, and it is the pursuit of fostering this connection that guides our life’s work. Duplicating this emotional and experiential connection in a virtual milieu seemed unfathomable. Many environmental education professionals began to wonder, is it even possible? Replicating this exact emotional and experiential connection might not be possible, but innovating and creating an entirely new and equally profound virtual connection is possible. Challenging, yes, but possible; and with possibility comes opportunity for invention and growth in new and unexplored directions. – Brooke Knapick, Views From the Tower, Summer 2020
Fast forward a year from when I penned those words, and it is time for the rest of the story. Over the past 18 months, we have shared the successes and challenges of developing and implementing virtual and/or at-home alternatives for all of our program offerings from Summer Nature Program to Environmental Education Field Trip to Nature Education for Homeschool Students and Teachers (NEHST), and even Scout and Science Education at Sea (SEAS) programs. During that time, we have conducted over 35 virtual programs, and delivered over 135 at-home activity boxes, stretching the boundaries of what is possible and reaching nearly 1,865 individuals. On top of that, The Virtual Wetlands Experience continues to be a
valuable resource, welcoming more than 9,100 visits to the webpage with 67% of visitors returning to the site more than once. However, despite these successes, the resounding sentiment from program participants is always: “It was beautifully done, but it is not the same as in person.”
As the calendar turned to a new year, the weather warmed, and pandemic restrictions loosened, outdoor and environmental education began to experience a gradual return to in-person programs, a seemingly stark contrast to the abrupt transition to virtual programs just a year prior. Slowly but surely, educators and participants alike ventured out into a shared natural environment allowing for the interaction between participant, educator, and outdoor experience to begin anew. As the months continued on, the desire for immersive, tangible interactions in nature only grew stronger. Visitors returned to The Wetlands Institute doors in large numbers, Traveling Environmental Education and Group Outreach Programs conducted more programs than any summer season in recent memory, and Summer Nature Program experienced its highest enrollment in history, peaking at 96% capacity and serving over 525 children. Currently, momentum continues to build, with NEHST enrollments at 100% capacity for the Autumn Semester, Scout programs growing each day, and spring Environmental Education Field Trip and
SEAS program bookings ushering in a return to in-person school field trips.
Turns out, it is possible to create a new and profound virtual connection to the environment, but it is not a substitute for replicating the emotional and experiential connection that comes from the sights, the smells, the sounds, the feelings, and immersion in the natural environment. Intrinsically, the future holds a path forward that vacillates between the virtual and in-person environments, but through it all, The Wetlands Institute continues to reach achievement milestones and remains unwavering in its ability to teach people of all ages the value of wetlands and coastal ecosystems and encourage stewardship of these ecosystems worldwide.
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 John Cuthbert Roberta DeVries James Donohue Trish Luing Margaret McAllister John Millar
Jeannie Morris Wayne Renneisen Donna Rothman Hank Schellenger Jon Tullis Amy Welsh William Wermuth Francis J. White III
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 Brian Williamson, Research Scientist
Education
Danielle Meeker, Aquarist/ Environmental Educator Erin Rawls, Outreach Coordinator Michelle Rebilas, Environmental Educator
Development & Communications Devin Griffiths, Marketing and Communications Specialist Rae Griffiths, Office Assistant
Administration
Terrie Campbell, Financial Admin. Assistant Jeff Dix, Maintenance Technician Kimberly Dmytro, Tidepool Shop Barbara Parks, Administrative Assistant Stephanie Stroble, Front Desk Receptionist/ Admissions Coordinator
Visit Us Hours: Open Saturday and Sunday 9:30 to
4:30. Check our website for Holiday Hours.
Fall is in full swing as I write this and the marshes are a vibrant golden color this morning. Later stage migrants are moving through and the wintering waterfowl and raptors are returning to the marsh. It’s a beautiful time, and while the shortening days are harbingers of the winter to come, it’s also a time to take stock of the past year and look forward to the quieter days ahead and think about our winter work. One of the things I love about my work here is that the rhythm of the seasons also dictates the schedule of our projects and programs. There really is not a slow time here anymore, but there is a quieter period that brings opportunities for planning and assessment. As I look back at 2021 so far, it has been a good year for the Institute. We have gradually seen the resumption of more normal operations. Visitors returned in healthy numbers all summer to reconnect with nature. Our Summer Nature Programs for kids were incredibly busy, with record enrollments. It was wonderful to have the undergraduate interns here again this summer. Summer Celebration was a smashing success. This fall, school and outreach programs are gradually picking up again, though the uncertainty of the unsettled times for schools will continue for a while. Many of our University partnerships for
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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research and course-work have resumed, and we are excited to welcome visiting scientists and students back to the Institute this fall. With fieldwork winding down for the season, our scientists are busy analyzing data and writing reports. For the next several months, the board and leadership team will be undertaking quite a bit of planning. Several long-serving board members will be finishing their service in January, creating opportunities for more junior board members to move into leadership roles, and for new board members to join in guiding our journey. At the same time, we will be planning for how best to deliver our mission as the scale and complexity of Institute operations continues to increase. There is much to do and it’s refreshing to finally be able to move past the all-consuming work of managing operations around COVID and getting back to the business of serving our mission. Overall, this has been a remarkable year. Thanks to the steadfast commitment of the trustees, staff, and all of you – our supporters – The Wetlands Institute is strong. I am honored to lead this organization as we move boldly forward, and will be reporting on our plans in the next several issues.
The Lasting Legacy of Lemonade by Rae Griffiths, Office Assistant feel very lucky that they chose to honor us again this year. For her mitzvah project, Ava Dorfner from Moorestown, NJ sold lemonade, Rice Crispy treats and dog biscuits to help raise funds for TWI and our diamondback terrapin conservation program. Her mom told us Ava “is a science lover and was immediately drawn to the Institute as its objectives are Charlotte, Evelyn, and Trey Dougherty
What do Carly Baniewicz, Ava Dorfner and the Dougherty siblings have in common? They are all young nature-lovers who chose The Wetlands Institute (TWI) to benefit from their entrepreneurial spirit this past summer. And what better way to celebrate summer than with a lemonade stand! Carly Baniewicz from Malvern, PA first donated the proceeds from her lemonade stand to The Wetlands Institute in 2017 at age six, while Trey (10), Charlotte (8) and Evelyn (6) Dougherty from Westfield, NJ made their first lemonade stand gift in 2019. We
to preserve the island that she so treasures. She hopes to study meteorology someday and is intrigued by environmental science.” Every contributor to TWI is special to us, but we feel particularly endeared to young people who look for ways to make a difference for the marshes we cherish and the creatures that rely on them for survival. We are indebted to the kindness of these selfless kids who give us all great hope for the future of our fragile planet. Thank you and keep up the good work!
Ava Dorfner
Live From the Field: Expanding our Virtual Programs by Erin Rawls, Outreach Coordinator
This past spring, The Wetlands Institute booked over 30 virtual field trip programs, reaching nearly 1,500 students in classrooms across the mid-Atlantic. Along with the exciting possibilities of virtual field trips came the need to upgrade and modify our previous virtual programming setup. Through generous funding by PSEG, we were able to purchase high quality video equipment including lighting, portable audio/visual equipment, editing software, and a professional camera. The use of the professional camera allowed us to produce dynamic videos and live interactive programs that showcase animals up close and in high definition. Participants were able to clearly see the tube feet of an Atlantic Purple Sea Urchin move, or the tiny eyes of a just-hatched Horseshoe Crab, things that are difficult to spot even in person! Perhaps the greatest expansion in virtual programming came with the ability to
point out plants and animals along the Salt Marsh Trail, or use a seine net to catch live animals from the tidal channel, adding an element of surprise and “teachable moments” to every trip.
Setting up a Wetlands livestream.
Photo Credit: Steve Scheff, Seasonal Naturalist
livestream from the field. The Wetlands Institute has always focused on being a “hands on, feet wet” place, with students getting into the mud of the marsh or the sand of the ocean. In order to replicate that experience virtually, we needed to take kids out of our indoor virtual “command station”, and out into the marsh. As we livestreamed from the field, students watched Seasonal Naturalists, in real-time, chase down fiddler crabs in the marsh,
As we enter into a new school year, we are excited to announce an additional round of funding from PSEG that allows us to continue to increase the quality of these live-from-the-field segments, allowing students to truly experience a trip to The Wetlands Institute no matter where they are located.
Come check out our Virtual Wetlands Experience for yourself at: wetlandsinstitute.org/virtual-wetlandsexperience.
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Showcasing Our Finest by Danielle Meeker, Aquarist & Environmental Educator A few months ago, The Wetlands Institute (TWI) had the pleasure of hosting Sean McVey, a photographer from North Jersey who specializes in taking detailed pictures of animals against a white or blackback drop. The result are images that capture many animal characteristics often overlooked and underappreciated when only given a quick glance.
insects to fish. Since then Sean has traveled throughout the eastern part of the US, capturing images of over 125 species of fish, crayfish, turtles, snakes, and frogs. This summer, Sean reached out to TWI in hopes of photographing some of New Jersey’s native species. Over the course of a day, Sean photographed 11 species of fish and three species of invertebrates. To capture these images, Sean brought his own photo tanks, which are small and extremely narrow – the largest measuring only five inches long.
One of the newly hatched horseshoe crabs. Seen here in its trilobite stage, this horseshoe crab is only a few millimeters in size.
This is a juvenile black sea bass. Sean’s photography highlights varied coloration on the sea bass’ face, which is only visible under bright light.
Sean began his journey at the age of 13, photographing insects at New Jersey Audubon’s Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary. While in college, his photography interests expanded from
glass to hold the animals in place. For the more irregular shaped animals, like crabs and diamondback terrapin hatchlings, Sean shot them in motion against a black backdrop.
The photography setup in The Wetlands Institute’s Diller Building. Ready to be photographed is a hogchoker, a member of the flatfish family, plus the final result.
We carefully moved the animals into these small tanks, using a small pane of
Sean will be featuring his photography in an upcoming article in the North American Native Fish Association magazine. Can’t wait that long? Come see these animals in person on your next visit to our Secrets of the Salt Marsh Aquarium!
Adventure Awaits by Michelle Rebilas, Environmental Educator erupt as the mud squishes beneath their shoes. Before long, disgust turns to excitement when droves of fiddler crabs dive into their burrows on our approach. Pushing fears aside, Scouts plunge their hands into the mud for a chance to catch a crab! We study the crabs up close and discuss their adaptations to this dynamic salt marsh habitat. By the end, we are wet and dirty, but have a better appreciation for the creatures that call this mud home. Getting a "hands-on, feet wet" experience, Wetlands style. Photo Credit: ECO Woods Girl Scout Troop #61468
“The marsh mud will wash off, but the memories will last a lifetime!” I shout as I lead a group of curious, yet hesitant, Scouts and chaperones onto The Wetlands Institute’s “Muddy Trail” in search of our famous fiddler crabs. Immediate squeals
Adventures like this await your Girl Scout or Boy Scout troop during a Scout Program with The Wetlands Institute. These immersive programs engage the senses, encourage exploration, and offer handson investigations of the natural world. Our goal is for these direct experiences in nature to inspire Scouts of all ages to want
to make environmentally responsible choices and protect ecosystems for future generations. Aligning with our mission, and in direct support of the Girl Scouts’ mission to make the world a better place, The Wetlands Institute is partnering with the Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey to offer a unique set of ten field trips for Girl Scouts in the region to explore everything from science careers to habitats and trees to outdoor art and horseshoe crabs. This opportunity is open to all local Girl Scouts and programs run Nov 2021 – June 2022. To learn more about all of our Scout Program offerings, please visit our website: wetlandsinstitute.org/education/scoutgroups/
Our 2021 Institutional Sponsors
From the Marsh to the Forest
Monitoring and Management in Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary by Brian Williamson, Research Scientist When you think of The Wetlands Institute’s research and conservation efforts, you probably think of our work to study and protect our local salt marshes and the animals that inhabit them. However, staff at The Wetlands Institute also work on projects that take them out of our local tidal creeks and into other habitats, such as the maritime forests and freshwater wetlands of the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary. Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary represents some of the last remaining maritime forest habitat on Seven Mile Island, and is home to a variety of wildlife that TWI staff work to study and protect.
It isn’t all about turtles though! TWI staff also work with amphibians at the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary, documenting the species of frogs that occur there by listening for calls during the breeding season, and monitoring tree frog populations at the site. These frogs are monitored by providing artificial refugia that attract the frogs, who naturally seek shelter in dark, humid tree cavities. TWI biologists can easily look into the refugia and detect their presence or absence in a location.
The Wetlands Institute has been conducting a long-term mark recapture study on Eastern Box Turtles since 2015. This study is conducted in partnership with Northeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation’s Turtle Working Group as part of a regional effort to understand the status of Eastern Box Turtle populations. Turtles captured at the Sanctuary are marked using a technique called notching, where a triangular file is used to gently file a unique series of notches into the side of the turtle’s shell that will allow us to identify the turtle on subsequent encounters.
Our results so far suggest the population is skewed toward males. Like Diamondback Terrapins, box turtles have temperature dependent sex determination, with males developing from eggs incubated at cooler temperatures. Much of the nesting habitat for box turtles at the sanctuary is shaded, which may result in cooler nest temperatures leading to more males developing. Our results also suggest that juveniles appear to be particularly abundant, which may bode well for the health of the population. Through this project we continue to learn more about the turtle population at this site, the importance of the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary as some of the last remaining natural box turtle habitat on the island, and how patches of habitat can best be managed to ensure a healthy population.
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Currently, TWI biologists are tracking the response of the frog population to management of invasive vegetation at Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary. Paul’s Pond, a freshwater pond surrounded by wetlands at the sanctuary, represents some of the only naturally occurring fresh water on Seven Mile Island, and is an important breeding location for amphibians on the island and an important breeding area for wading birds in years past. Unfortunately, the pond and the wetlands around it have become overgrown with Common Reed (Phragmites australis) and other invasive plant species, reducing its value to breeding birds. TWI and the Borough of Stone Harbor are working with Princeton Hydro to manage this invasive vegetation and return the pond to a more natural state in order to benefit wildlife at the sanctuary. Biologists from TWI have been monitoring the presence and absence of frogs at various locations in the sanctuary, including the area to be managed, and will continue monitoring these areas after management concludes so we can detect any changes in tree frog use of managed areas. Through our continued management and monitoring efforts, The Wetlands Institute is committed to ensuring Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary remains a valuable habitat for native wildlife.
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
Our Wetland Laboratory Serving University Students and Faculty by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director When Herbert Mills founded The Wetlands Institute (TWI), he immediately established it as a biological field station for faculty and students at Leigh University. That productive relationship continued until 1986. In the ensuing years, the Institute and the laboratory outside our doors continued to serve as a resource to faculty and students from near and far. We have been fortunate to establish several ongoing relationships where TWI provides expertise and resources for field-based classes. Rowan College of South Jersey faculty teach their Wetlands Field Ecology course here each year (with the exception of the COVID-gap year) and we are delighted they will resume their onsite lectures and TWIstaff led field laboratories on marsh and beach dynamics and fauna. This fall, we were pleased to host the third year of UPenn’s Landscape Architecture course. Their course, Sensing and Sensibility, explores the role of remote sensing and environmental modeling as fundamental components of landscape design practice. Faculty members Keith Vandersys and Sean Burkholder employ drones to capture visual imagery of the marsh, and hyperspectral remotely sensed data to map vegetation patterns and fine-scale elevation. Since 2019, they have been flying the Institute and documenting some of the changes that are resulting from accelerated sea level rise. Students have been able to gain first-hand knowledge of marsh dynamics by both using these tools and creating visualizations to present the data they have gathered.
In addition to our existing partnerships, we are excited to welcome a new partnership with Boston College. Several faculty and their graduate students will be undertaking research projects focused in the Seven Mile Island Innovation Lab. Faculty are working collaboratively with TWI and the US Army Corps Engineer Research Development Center research lab and have established long-term water quality monitoring stations to study coastal and estuary dynamics. This fall, faculty will be bringing students to TWI for their environmental geoscience senior research seminar. They will be studying coastal processes, biogeochemistry, and the effects of sea level rise on area ecosystems, and bring new tools and expertise to the laboratory. These are just a few of the universities that utilize the natural laboratory that surrounds The Wetlands Institute and we are thrilled to work with them all.
Tidepool Shop
In 2007, Oxford University Press published a new edition of the Oxford Junior Dictionary, which became notable for its omission of no less than 40 common words describing facets of the natural world – acorn, dandelion, fern, kingfisher, otter, and willow among them. In their places were blog, broadband, cut-and-paste, voicemail, and other words related to technology and the built environment. This shift from the natural to the human-made happened at a time when there was already deep concern about the growing disconnect between people – particularly children – and nature. Into this landscape came The Lost Words. Written by Robert Macfarlane and illustrated by Jackie Morris, this stunning book brings many of those “lost words” back to life – summoning them from the ether and returning them to the realm of everyday experience. We at The Wetlands Institute are dedicated to helping people make lifelong connections to nature and to inspiring an ethic of stewardship of the natural world. The Lost Words is a gorgeous celebration of the wonders of nature, and the circumstances that gave rise to it are a poignant reminder of the importance of our work.
wetlandsinstitute.org
The Lost Words measures 15"x11", and is available at our book and gift shop, 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.
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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
Aquarium Feeding
10AM to 4PM
11AM
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!
Creature Feature & Craft 2PM
Saturday
During this live animal presentation, get up close with turtles, fish, crabs, sea stars and urchins, mollusks, horseshoe crabs, or the popular animals of Finding Nemo. After the presentation, create your very own take-home craft!
Aquarium Teaching & Touch Tank Sunday 11AM Learn about local creatures found in the salty waters of the ocean or back-bay! Join an Institute educator for a unique, interactive learning experience as they teach about all the animals live including whelk, sea urchins, sea stars, mud snails, and more!
Saturday
Help us feed the local marine life! We will open up feeding time so you can see the burrfish eating crabs and the horseshoe crab gobbling shrimp.
Science Feature Sunday 2PM Each Sunday we will focus on a different conservation issue including Bat Conservation, Marine Debris, Osprey Conservation, Dredging, Sustainable Energy, Horseshoe Crab Conservation, Terrapin Conservation, Climate Change and the world of Plankton.
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Saturday and Sunday
id You Kn o w ?
Enjoy a virtual visit to The Wetlands Institute, anytime and anywhere, by visiting the Aquarium Bytes section of our Virtual Wetlands Experience portal on our website. wetlandsinstitute.org/aquariumbytes.
The Wetlands Institute is closely monitoring COVID-19 developments and the guidance issued by state and local agencies. As needed, we are planning for and adjusting our programs and operations 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!
Give the Gift of Membership! Our members are the backbone of The Wetlands Institute. When you give the gift of membership, you not only support our mission but you allow us to advance our impactful research, conservation, and education work. Annual memberships start at $25 and provide free admission, a 10% discount on most items 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.
The Wetlands Institute’s
Learn, Support, Experience! Adoption Programs help you learn more about the coastal animals you love while supporting the work we do to research and protect them. Each program has several options to symbolically adopt an animal and receive an adoption certificate, educational newsletter, and other fun items. Adoptions make great gifts, too! Check them out on our website, www.wetlandsinstitute.org/adopt.
Call 609.368.1211 or stop in to buy tickets. Drawing: December 16, 2021 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 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# 07-21 481-5-25895 Middle Township.
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
Renewal and Return
Yes! I want to support The Wetlands Institute!
2021 was a year marked by a renewal of hope, and a welcome return to the beginnings of normalcy. Re-opening our doors to old and new friends and linking so many to nature once again was a powerful reminder of the value of our mission to study and protect our precious wetlands, and help people make lifelong connections to the world around them.
$500 $250 $100 $50 Other ______ 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 have weathered many storms over the years, but our commitment to our mission has never faltered – and the constant and generous support of people like you helps us carry it through. Thanks to you, we’re able to continue our lifesaving work with sensitive marsh species, create experiences that inspire children to fall in love with nature, launch innovative efforts to restore and preserve these marshes, and support the staff needed to accomplish the vital work done at the Institute.
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
2021-4QDMA
For more than half a century, we've been studying and protecting our coastal wetlands, educating people about their critical importance, and inspiring an ethic of stewardship in future generations. As you think about your year-end charitable giving, we hope we can count on you again to be a part of the community of support that makes this all possible. You truly make a difference. Please, make a gift today.
Exp. Date (mm/yy)
CVC#
__________________________________________________________________ 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.)