Views From The Tower - Autumn 2023

Views from theTower

AUTUMN 2023 | VOLUME 51 | NO. 3

Our Eyes (and Ears) are on the Marshes

by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director Wetlands and coastal

ecosystems are incredibly dynamic and change is constant. Superimposed on their rhythmic changes are increased pressures related to climate change, sea level rise, and intensifying human use of these resources. The Wetlands Institute is exceptionally wellpositioned to expand its work to study the changes that are occurring and what they mean to the wildlife in the systems, and is acting to restore and conserve them.

Our work over the past several years has also been increasingly focused on studying the responses of marshes and wildlife to marsh restoration and habitat creation projects. As a part of this work, we recently launched the Coastal Sustainability and Wetland Health Research Program. Thanks to generous grants from The Wiseman Family Foundation, The Davenport Family Foundation, The Leff Family Foundation, The Ward Family Foundation, Disney Conservation Fund, the NJ Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership, State of NJ DEP, and US Army Corps of Engineers, our scientists have been incredibly busy being the eyes and ears of these marshes. We maintain a comprehensive network of monitoring programs that, along with our partners, are tracking theses ecosystems.

dredged materials. We have established an array of water chemistry monitoring stations at The Wetlands Institute, in surrounding marshes, and at beneficial use restoration sites for comparison. They are paired with eight stations that continuously measure water elevation. Wetland plants are very sensitive to water depth and maintain maximum growth potential over a very narrow range. These stations enable researchers to understand how the marsh is responding to increased flooding under accelerating sea level rise. We are able to understand how marsh grasses are reestablishing at restoration sites and how rising seas are changing the delicate balance, using the data we gather to inform restoration projects.

subject of various monitoring programs. How is repetitive marsh flooding affecting diamondback terrapins? They seek nesting areas above the high tide line, yet their nests are being more frequently flooded. Is the flooding affecting hatchling terrapins that spend their early years in the marshes?

In 2016, we installed wetland elevation monitoring stations that allow for precision measurement of the marsh surface, and we are monitoring both elevation and marsh vegetation at TWI and at project sites where habitat has been created using clean

Information about how wildlife is using these marshes and how increased flooding is affecting them is another crucial aspect of the research. We have enhanced our monitoring with surveys of saltmarshdependent animals to document how sea-level rise and coastal flooding are impacting local populations, and how they are responding to habitat restoration and creation. The health of coastal bird and diamondback terrapin populations is intricately linked to the condition of coastal marsh systems. Changes in the number of animals in the marsh, how they are using the marsh, and their breeding success can indicate changes within the saltmarsh itself. Several species of birds nest just above the marsh surface and nest loss due to flooding has become a new reality. Are these birds moving to new areas, changing their nesting practices, or utilizing newly created habitats? American Oystercatchers, which nest on area beaches as well as in the marsh, are of special interest. Our trained staff band Oystercatchers to better monitor the local population and habitat use. Clapper Rails, Willets, Laughing Gulls, and Saltmarsh Sparrows are also species of interest and the

The Wetlands Institute has collected volumes of information over the years and new work continues to build these important data sets. Partnerships borne out of the Seven Mile Island Innovation Laboratory continue to expand the work being done in these marshes. Scientists from University of Pennsylvania, Louisiana State University, Villanova, Boston College, Stockton University, Widener University, and the US Army Corps of Engineers are collaborating and conducting additional research here.

Our research scientists are using newly acquired information to better understand marsh usage by sensitive species, and everyone at the Institute is working to preserve and protect our treasured marsh resources. We are providing decisionmakers with information about marsh conditions and how to restore them so they can play their critical role in coastal sustainability and storm protection for our community. Our efforts are helping guide management and coastal restoration decisions. These are complex systems and we are working to make sure these marshes are here for generations to come.

Deborah A. Hays, Chair

James Donohue, Vice-Chair

Hank Schellenger, Treasurer

John Flynn, Secretary

Jeffrey Alderton

Timothy Jon Clay, D.M.D

John Cuthbert

William Hankowsky

Margaret McAllister

John Millar

Jeannie Morris

Staff

Leadership

Marsh Musings

by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director

Jeffrey Alderton

Donna Rothman

Raymond Burke, III

Jon Tullis

Annie Ulichney

Amy Welsh

Timothy Jon Clay, D.M.D

Yep, it happened again. Summer flew by and once again, I’m not sure how it went so fast. As we settle into the rhythm of fall, it’s a time when I take a minute to reflect on all the wonderful things that we accomplished together this busy season. I am pleased to say that we had many outstanding moments here and your support was a contributing factor.

instructors with the Summer Nature Program, helped us with mailings, were in the Tidepool Shop, and gave time and ideas to make this Summer Celebration the best ever. Our volunteers are making a difference, and to all of them – a heartfelt THANK YOU!

John Cuthbert

William Wermuth

Roberta DeVries

Francis J. White III

William Hankowsky

Margaret McAllister

John Millar

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

Carol Wyland, Director of Finance

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

Kelianne O'Shea, Environmental Educator

Erin Rawls, Outreach Coordinator

Development & Communications

Devin Griffiths, Marketing and Communications Specialist

Rae Griffiths, Office Assistant

Devon Patchel, Administrative Coordinator

Finance

Terrie Campbell, Finance Administrator

Administration

Kirsten Chervenak, Visitor Services Coordinator

Jeff Dix, Maintenance Technician

Kimberly Dmytro, Tidepool Shop Manager

Visit Us

Hours: Starting September 18, open Saturday and Sunday 9:30 to 4:30. Check our website for Holiday Hours.

General Admission: Members: Free.

Summer Nature Program enrollments were near record levels again this summer. The energy and excitement of children connecting to nature, learning about the incredible animals of the marshes and the wonder of the marshes themselves is a gift. It’s a gift for all of us here to see the spark of connection in a child’s face, and also a gift we’re so proud to provide to each and every child in these programs. Following a several year hiatus, Turtle Fest was back this summer and was very well attended. This is an event that is planned and produced by our Environmental Education Interns and a cornerstone of their experience here.

As September rolls in, we take the time to acknowledge the incredible talents and contributions of all of our volunteers who give back in so many different ways throughout the year. They provide a supporting structure that enables us to do so much more than we could without them. Our volunteers were on beaches helping to resight birds we study and rescuing stranded horseshoe crabs; they were on our roadways and trails helping diamondback terrapins; they were out paddling to document marsh conditions. They were in the aquarium at the teaching tank, on beach and dune trails teaching ecology. They assisted

I am incredibly excited to share that this Summer Celebration, our largest fundraising event of the year, was recordbreaking. We had a great night with friends and supporters of the Institute and our mission. More than 200 people joined us, having fun from the moment they walked in the door. Brian Taff was our celebrity emcee and shared his authentic connection to our mission, and the evening included the auctioning of VIP tickets to the annual Eagles-Dallas showdown by none other than Jaws! We greatly exceeded our fundraising goals for the evening. Thank you to all of the people who donated items, supported us through sponsorships, joined us through auction item bidding, and brought your excitement in support of our mission.

I am excited for the next season in the rhythm of a Wetlands Institute year where we take time to regroup. There is much to plan for and to do. Stay tuned as great things are ahead!

Views From the Tower is the quarterly newsletter of The Wetlands Institute and can also be found on our website.

Non-members: $8 Adults, $6 Children 3-12.

wetlandsinstitute.org

wetlandsinstitute.org

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.

Making Our Mission Happen

by Elizabeth Hefner, Development Team

For most of us, exploring the marsh and visiting The Wetlands Institute is part of the fabric of summer. Every year, you join us in celebrating the joy of diamondback terrapin hatchings, the spectacle of shorebird migration, and the simple pleasure of beautiful days outside in the marsh or overlooking the bay.

overcome obstacles, and participate in new experiences. Summer is a time for them to step away from their screens and out of virtual reality to explore the world beyond their doors.

communities and help find common ground among different perspectives.

Each summer at the Institute, children embrace the joy of discovery and the wonder of scientific experimentation, and take the first steps to becoming stewards of the wetlands we all love. They gain a greater awareness of the natural world, expand their knowledge of environmental challenges, build new skills to help

More importantly, as they slow down, they have the opportunity to discover the peace that nature brings – a peace they can rely on throughout their lives. Being in nature is an antidote for stress: It can lower blood pressure, increase self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and improve mood. Introducing children to the diversity of nature – from unique animals to differing landscapes and climates – can also encourage them to build an appreciation for the larger world and help them understand their place within it.

Beyond the children and youth who have summer experiences at The Wetlands Institute are the parents, grandparents, friends, and extended family who join them in exploring the marsh. These intergenerational connections create stronger

Your support of our core mission is an investment in all our futures. It helps us inspire people of all ages to care for the health of the local wetlands, and keep the many visitors from around the country connected to the beauty and vitality of Seven Mile Island long after they return home.

We cannot do this without you. You are essential to our work, and your support is vital to our mission. Thank you.

Reflections From a Seasonal Naturalist

by Eunice Hudzik, Seasonal Naturalist

As a Seasonal Naturalist, it is almost a certainty that each day, while either out in the marsh or on the beach, I will experience some kind of wildlife sighting. These likely encounters have fueled my enthusiasm for a job that keeps me coming back.

My most memorable sighting happened during my second year serving as a Seasonal Naturalist. Barrier Beach Ecology was the program that I was assigned to lead that day, and the students were high school aged, with a special interest in Biology. After explaining the program’s details to the students, we were ready to go.

The first activity was aquatic sampling. While I waited for them up on the beach, the students walked down to the shoreline to fill their buckets with ocean water. As they were coming back towards me, I was stunned to see, off in the distance, a whale

propelling itself out of the water and slamming back down, creating a splash that looked like an explosion. The teacher standing next to me also witnessed this jaw dropping occurrence, and we both yelled to the students to turn around and face the water so they could see it too. Moments later, a second whale, a bit further out, also breached. WOW!

After a while, when we were sure that the whale action had ceased, we began testing the ocean water collected. In each bucket, we noticed there were numerous little amphipods swimming around in the water, not a usual sight. We surmised that this could be the reason why the whales were here.

Seeing an animal out in the wild always wows me, and being able to share that experience with others makes it just a little bit more special.

Bycatch in Traps: A Pervasive but Solvable Problem

by Brian Williamson, Research Scientist

Diamondback terrapin populations face many threats, but none as widespread or detrimental as bycatch in crab traps. Terrapins breathe air, and can only hold their breath for about 45 minutes during warmer months. As carnivores, terrapins are attracted to bait and crabs within the traps and, once caught, often drown. Adults, juveniles, males, females - all are susceptible to bycatch, which may cause population declines that take many years to restore.

One area particularly impacted by bycatch in New Jersey is the Delaware Bay, where crabbing activity is high and many terrapins are captured in traps as bycatch each year. Traps containing terrapins wash up to shore from time to time, but more frequently found are the hundreds of drowned terrapins brought in with the tides after being emptied from traps. It’s likely even more go undocumented. Sometimes, terrapins are found in traps still alive.

On a Delaware Bay beach this summer, our partners at Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey found two crab traps, recently lost, with bait and eleven terrapins inside. Sadly, one had already drowned. Seven were still alive and able to be released. The remaining three, an adult male and two young but likely mature females, were just barely alive in the traps. With the fortune of timing, these terrapins were able to be resuscitated and released after they recovered strength.

Studying a Creature of the Night

by Sam Collins, Research Scientist

Some of the most iconic species of our coastal wetlands are herons and egrets, which are often observed wading in the open water areas of the marsh trying to catch a quick meal. Unlike conspicuous and easily observed wading birds like Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons, Black-crowned Night-Herons can be very difficult to locate and see. As their name suggests, these herons are most active at dusk, dawn, and at night to avoid competition with other bird species.

statewide nesting concentrations for the species located on two islands just north of The Wetlands Institute, scientists in our Research and Conservation department have been closely monitoring these nesting areas to better understand population trends, reproductive success, and changes to nesting habitat suitability. These nesting areas are increasingly at risk with more flooding and storm events that smother desirable habitat with wrack and other debris.

These traps were not equipped with Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs), which restrict the size of trap openings to keep larger terrapins out and allow crabs in. BRDs would have prevented the two female terrapins from entering the trap in the first place, but are currently not required in the Delaware Bay or other large bodies of water in New Jersey. Requiring BRDs on all crab traps set in New Jersey would reduce the impacts of bycatch to terrapin populations.

Here in coastal New Jersey, the Blackcrowned Night-Heron has experienced significant population declines in recent decades and is listed as a threatened species in the state. With the largest

One major challenge to fully understand the species’ response to changing conditions is our ability to observe these individuals when they are most active, at night. Fortunately, with funding from New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, our experienced and permitted staff have started monitoring the species through direct and indirect observations of individuals, and use a variety of methods, such as GPS transmitters, to collect data with minimal disturbance. While we are able to measure and mark chicks with unique color-coded bands to help track

movements and survival, adults are both secretive and cryptic which makes efforts to capture and mark individuals extremely difficult. If you know of reliable foraging locations for adult Black-crowned Night-Herons in our area, please reach out to research scientist Sam Collins (scollins@wetlandsinstitute. org).

Luing Family Internship Program

Coastal Conservation Research Interns

Amanda Lyons, Research & Conservation Coordinator

This summer, six Luing Family Internship Coastal Conservation Research Program interns brought incredible energy and insights to The Wetlands Institute. Interns contributed to long-term monitoring of diamondback terrapins and coastal birds, designed independent projects that deepened our understanding of coastal wildlife, developed essential skills in fieldwork and data analysis, and built connections and memories that will last a lifetime.

Lead intern Rachel Helt examined the effectiveness of wildlife fencing installed along Sea Isle Boulevard to keep nesting terrapins off the road. Rachel found that terrapin crossings were associated with breaks in the fence, highlighting the need for fence maintenance. Carly Shaw investigated terrapin use of an elevated nesting habitat constructed with dredged material. Carly showed that the habitat, created for beach-nesting birds, is used by nesting terrapins, including one turtle marked in 1997. Darby Brant assessed the response of Cope’s gray tree frogs to invasive vegetation management in a maritime forest. Her work identified that tree frog populations are still present but may be impacted by current practices and could be improved with future vegetation planting. Kaycee Doherty compared avian species richness, behavior, and nesting on natural marshes and marshes surrounding new and historic dredged material placement. She found that areas near older enhanced marshes

Environmental Education Interns

This year’s Luing Family Internship Program Environmental Education Interns spent 12 weeks leading public education programs, while immersing themselves in the unique environment of the surrounding salt marsh and barrier islands. They worked hard and through it all developed the skills they need to continue their careers in environmental education. Each year, interns are asked to develop and implement an education project of their choosing that is personally and/or institutionally beneficial. The deliverables from their projects leave a lasting impact on The Wetlands Institute and we hope you’ll stop by to see their education initiatives in action.

Fiona Buck (Stockton University) used Final Cut Pro software to add subtitles to three of The Wetlands Institute’s educational videos, including the iconic Secrets of the Salt Marsh film, the Terrapins in the News video segment shown in Terrapin Station and on the Virtual Wetlands Experience, and the upcoming A Day in the Aquarium video, in efforts to make them more inclusive to the Deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing communities. Julia Dahms (Eckerd College) worked with Prezi to revamp the Marine Debris Science Feature to include a greater emphasis on microplastics and other emerging threats to ocean health, as well as creating a new tri-panel poster about marine debris and its effects that will be displayed in the Secrets of the Salt Marsh Aquarium. Hannah Delahaye

may host more bird species and be used more commonly for foraging and nesting. Rebecca Miller investigated avian use of recent dredge placement sites intended to produce wading bird habitat. Rebecca was surprised to see more gulls than waders; she found that enhanced sites provide resting habitat above the high tide line for a variety of species. Oliver Puckett studied interactions between Black-crowned Night-Herons and other birds at mixed-species nesting colonies. Oliver observed night-herons interacting with other night-herons, myriad wading birds, and potential nest predators such as Fish Crows and Herring Gulls.

(Towson University) spent her summer reimagining the Bev Henry Salt Marsh Rubbing Trail into an interactive scavenger hunt that allows children to learn more about the salt marsh and the animals that call this ecosystem home, while solving puzzles and clues along the way. Hannah Drahusz (Millersville University) capitalized on her artistic abilities to create and illustrate a Salt Marsh Exploration through Art Activity Packet that allows children of all ages to engage with the nature found along The Wetlands Institute’s Salt Marsh Trail, and use their artistic minds to explore patterns and colors naturally found in the marsh.

2023 CCRP Interns, L to R: Rachel Helt, Carly Shaw, Darby Brant, Kaycee Doherty, Oliver Puckett, Rebecca Miller.

2023 EE Interns, L to R: Julia Dahms, Hannah Delahaye, Hannah Drahusz, Fiona Buck

Brooke Knapick, Director of Educational Program Development

Archer & Greiner P.C.

Avalon Flooring

Burke Subaru

Hafetz & Associates

Hays Sheet Metal PSEG

Wayne & Kay Renneisen

RJ Soens Group / Compass RE

Seven Mile Times

John & Amy Swanson

Jon Tullis

Annie & Drew Ulichney

Laura Wilson & Mark Menting

Atlantic Capes Fisheries, Inc.

Avalon Home and Land Owners Assn.

Brandywine Developers, Inc.

Brown & Brown Insurance

Lisa & Phil Buckingham

Ray & Ellen Burke

Cold Spring Fish and Supply Co.

Concentus Wealth Advisors

CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC

James J. Donohue & Carol A. Mager

Eldon Builders

Halliday Financial

Lois & Barry Hamilton

Harbor Outfitters

Deborah & Michael Hays

Lund’s Fisheries

OceanFirst

PMI Saltwater

Jane Rakestraw

RBC Wealth Management / The Boland Investment Group

Chip & Nancy Roach

Scarborough Marine Group

Hank & Julie Schellenger

Schultz & Williams

ShopRite of Hunterdon County

Washington Inn

Amy & Philip Welsh

Westside Meats

WSFS Bank

Autumn Happenings

As the sun sets on another successful summer season and we transition into shorter days and cooler nights, The Wetlands Institute is open daily from September 5-17, 2023. Unless otherwise stated, all activities are free with admission and occur onsite at The Wetlands Institute. For more information, visit wetlandsinstitute.org/events.

Salt Marsh Safari

11 AM & 2 PM Daily

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!

Creature Feature

12:30 PM Monday & Friday

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

Aquarium Feeding

12:30 PM Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday

Help us feed the local marine life! We will open up feeding three times each week so you can see the octopus eating crabs and the horseshoe crab gobbling shrimp.

Tidepool Shop

Catch o’ the Day

Wednesday 12:30 PM

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.

Seashell Sunday

12:30 PM Sunday

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.

Winter hours and activities start September 18, 2023. Starting then, The Wetlands Institute will be open on Saturday and Sunday only. Please check our website calendar for programming updates as we transition from autumn to winter hours.

From marvelous mugs to adorable stuffies, informative reference guides to engaging reads, our Tidepool Shop has a plethora of unique gift items full of function, wonder, and whimsy! Come on in and check them out - our book and gift shop is open every day from 9:30am to 4:30pm through September 17, 2023. Starting September 18, 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.

Bugs...

If you are planning to plant a garden for honeybees, looking to learn about the amazing butterflies around us, or beguiled by bugs that have changed history, the Tidepool Shop has your curiosity covered with books to amaze and inspire!

Mugs...

Whether you're relaxing at home or heading out and about, you'll be sipping your favorite beverage in style! Our ceramic mugs are the perfect vessels to hold a cup of cocoa, and our travel mugs ensure that cold lemonade refreshes on a summer's day and hot coffee chases away the chill of an autumn morning.

... and Slugs (oh my!)

Our lovable plush slugs are anything but slimy! These super-soft critters are perfect for cuddling, and are sure to put a smile on your young one's face. And for anyone who appreciates a good nature pun, we've got a slug for you, too!

(note: no actual slugs were harmed in the making of this newsletter)