Views from theTower
Quarterly Newsletter
Winter 2019-2020 | VOLUME 47 | NO. 4
Celebrating A Legacy of Research and Conservation by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director As our year of celebrations for the 50th Anniversary comes to a close, it’s fitting to reflect upon the remarkable legacy of research and conservation that underpins the impact of The Wetlands Institute. During the conceptualization of The Wetlands Institute and for all the years since, the critical need for the generation of knowledge about the bays, tidal creeks, and wetlands has been at the forefront of our mission. In the early days, the role of wetlands as a life-support system for fisheries, migratory birds, and storm protection was largely unknown. As development, dredging, and infilling accelerated, very wise people began to realize the importance of our coastal ecosystems, but glaring gaps about our understanding of them became apparent. Fortunately, so many great scientists and leaders of the conservation movement were among the founders and board of The Wetlands Institute. Herbert Mills forged a great relationship with Lehigh University, making The Wetlands Institute a hub of scientific research as a field station for faculty and the training of graduate students for 15 years. The research spanned subjects including water and sediment movements in the bays and tidal creeks, sediment infilling rates, biological inventories of the marshes and creeks including seminal work documenting the fisheries here. There were extensive studies of the chemical composition of the sediments, studies on the heron and gull colonies, comprehensive models of current dynamics, projects on shellfish and fish, and such far-reaching topics as the impact of wood-boring worms on marine infrastructure. Later, Dr. Roger Wood, as the recipient of a faculty fellowship, would launch his work on diamondback terrapins and help cement
The Wetlands Institute as a national leader in terrapin research and conservation. Joe Jacobs, Brooke Worth, Mark Pokras, Anne and Joan Galli, Dan Klem and so many others undertook important studies of birds. They included crucial work documenting Osprey numbers and
the impacts of DDT on their survival long before they were protected. The Wetlands Institute staff and affiliated scientists were instrumental in documenting the locations and numbers of several at-
risk and ultimately protected species of coastal birds including Piping Plovers and Red Knots, and for years, Wetlands Institute staff worked closely with the NJDEP to monitor colonial nesting birds at Stone Harbor Point. Tedor Whitman followed in the footsteps of Brooke Worth some 30 years later, documenting songbirds in our area using mist nets both at TWI and in the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary. These are just a very few examples of the type of research that has been foundational to the impact that The Wetlands Institute has made. As we look ahead to a strong future in research and conservation, these early works are taking on more and more importance. As scientists, our ability to document change relies on detailed records of conditions in the past. The Wetlands Institute, thanks to the tireless work of so many before us, is extremely well positioned to take on a leadership role studying, preserving, and conserving these marshes and coastal ecosystems now and well into our future.
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 Michael Craig John Cuthbert Roberta DeVries James Donohue Lois Hamilton
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
Erin Rawls, Outreach Coordinator Sue Slotterback, Environmental Educator
Administration
Terrie Campbell, Financial Admin. Assistant Kimberly Dmytro, Tidepool Shop Christina Faulk, Administrative Assistant Devin Griffiths, Marketing and Communications Specialist Stephanie Stroble, Front Desk Receptionist/ Admissions Coordinator Glenn Thompson, Maintenance Jamie Warner, Manager of Advancement Dale Watson, Gardener
It’s hard to believe but fall is here. I know it’s true because the marsh is no longer green but instead a mosaic of green, brown, tan, purple, and red. Some of the winter birds have taken up their residence in the marsh, while some of our summer friends are still here. It’s that special time of year so even though I may be incredulous that another summer has screamed on by, a quick look out the window confirms what I do know to be true. It’s been a whirlwind year with so many great accomplishments and the celebration of so many milestones. We have so much momentum right now that we are taking the opportunity to launch a couple of new initiatives. The Board of Trustees has formed a Junior Advisory Committee to invite young, talented members of our community to serve as a board committee. We are looking to have a mutually beneficial relationship whereby they can bring fresh, new perspectives to a specific project of the board, while gaining valuable board experience. The inaugural committee has five members and will serve an initial one-year term with an option to renew. We already have nominations for the next cohort as well. This new committee will be looking at our membership programs and how they are structured, and at our social media and marketing approaches to see how we can enhance our communications. They will be preparing a report for the board with recommendations for changes and options for implementation so we expect some great outcomes. We will update you all on their results as they come in. Traveling with The Wetlands Institute is
Yellow-rumped Warbler
back on the horizon. This year, in honor of our 50th Anniversary, we are hosting a trip to the Galapagos to discover the wonders of Darwin’s Enchanted Islands. Dr. Lisa Ferguson and I will be on board and will be adding scientific and conservation information to the daily events of the trip. My background in geology, oceanography, and evolution will allow me to enrich our experiences, while Lisa will be adding a wealth of knowledge regarding coastal birds endemic to the islands. Together we will also be linking conservation issues and challenges in the Galapagos to research and conservation programs at TWI and in our region. The trip sold out quickly and we are getting quite a few requests for us to host another ecologically significant trip next year. If you have ideas for that perfect trip that would be made especially significant because of the added benefits that travel with TWI would bring, please let me know. Keep your ears open for the next opportunity.
Visit Us Hours: September 23 - May 15, open Saturday and Sunday 9:30-4:30. May 18 September 21, open daily 9:30-4:30. 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.
wetlandsinstitute.org
Galapagos Tortoise
Galapagos Marine Iguana
Stretching Into the Future by Christina Faulk
This summer, in our 50th year, The Wetlands Institute introduced our first ever endowment campaign. An organization with a great history as strong as ours surely also has a promising future. Thanks to you, the 50th Anniversary Endowment Campaign is close to reaching its goal of raising $3.5 million to secure that future. To date, The Wetlands Institute has received donations and pledges to the endowment totaling $3.26 million, which is 95% of the $3.5 million goal! We are not slowing down, though. The campaign runs through the fall of next year, and we will continue to raise funds to support the long-term future of The Wetlands Institute and the wetlands themselves. Every dollar we raise over the $3.5 million goal increases our ability to secure the future of the marshes and the wildlife that call them home. Additional support will enable The Wetlands Institute to enhance our programs in research, conservation, and education faster than planned. We will be able to accelerate the launch of new research and conservation programs designed to conserve the wetlands and the animals and plants that depend on them, to train more undergraduate and graduate students in the field, and to share the wonders of these majestic wetlands with more school children. We also will be able to set aside funds to help maintain our building and the infrastructure that makes all of our work possible well into the future. Our 50-year history and the work we have accomplished has already proven that the support for our wetlands is strong. Will you help us secure the future? For more information regarding The Wetlands Institute’s 50th Anniversary Endowment Campaign, please contact Dr. Lenore Tedesco at 609-368-1211 or Ltedesco@wetlandsinstitute.org.
The Director’s Circle: A Higher Level Of Support All donors contributing to the 50th Anniversary Endowment Campaign at $50,000 and higher will be recognized with membership in the Director’s Circle. Director’s Circle benefits include: • Invitation to Annual “Insider” Presentation with Environmental Guest Speaker • Invitation to Annual Conservation-themed Wine Pairing Dinner • Observation/Hands-on Participation in Program Supported or Program of Your Choice • Back Bay Skimmer Boat Tour Hosted by Dr. Lenore Tedesco • Recognition on the 50th Anniversary Endowment Donor Recognition Wall These benefits are in addition to donor recognition afforded to the Institute’s major donors and other annual donation recognition opportunities.
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Paperless newsletters are more sustainable and they help reduce our costs 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/newsletters.
Research & Conservation Now and Into Our Future
by Dr. Lisa Ferguson
These days at The Wetlands Institute, when we set off to conduct our research, we see the ties to our history in everything around us. From the expansive, green acres of salt marsh that are protected thanks to our founders’ vision and the many individuals who supported this quest; from the 20-year-old diamondback terrapins that live there and continue to inform our broad-reaching research and conservation programs; and from the many people and partners we work with whose roots trace back to their early experiences at The Wetlands Institute - from this vital history and connectivity, we are fortunate to be able to explore questions and make strides in conservation that would be otherwise impossible. So what are we doing today? To a surprising extent, many of the topics we address in our department now are encapsulated in the 50-year legacy of our research and conservation efforts. How do we protect our marshes so they persist in the face of developing and increasing threats? Recently we established an intensive monitoring program to track the long-term changes in our marshes and better understand the frequency of flooding, variations in elevation, and overall marsh condition. Through the formation of Seven Mile Island Living Lab, we are partnering with numerous agencies, universities, and organizations to test new modes for data collection and new approaches for dredge material placement to benefit marshes and the wildlife that depend on them. How do we ensure healthy populations of our coastal wildlife? We have reinvigorated our research of coastal birds, using our work to learn more about habitat needs within our barrier island systems, movements both local and long-distance, and techniques for providing safeguards against rising sea levels and habitat loss. For the past six years we have organized the reTURN The Favor program, engaging hundreds of volunteers a year to reduce the loss of horseshoe crabs on the Delaware Bay – to the tune of half a million crabs saved to date – while also identifying hazards in need of mitigation. And using new technologies, we are advancing the tools and knowledge needed to protect diamondback terrapins and other imperiled species. How do we ensure the reach of this important work into the future? We continue to focus on scientific training that has been a common thread throughout the history of The Wetlands Institute. Our comprehensive research and conservation programs and proximity to a richness of natural resources present invaluable learning opportunities for curious minds. Each year, we host undergraduate students – tomorrow’s leaders in research, conservation, and education – for a summer of hands-on, personal experience with the scientific process – and some very muddy feet! As a complement to our undergraduate program, and thanks to generous endowed support, we will be initiating a new graduate fellowship program to promote student-led research while expanding our research capacity and fostering new collaborations. The Wetlands Institute was founded by a group of people who understood the value of these marshes to all who depend on them and had the vision and drive to protect them. As we look back on our history, we are fortunate to continue the tradition of strategic research projects and comprehensive conservation programs at The Wetlands Institute to ensure this legacy and carry it forward into the next half-century and beyond.
Our 2019 Institutional Sponsors
THE DILLER FAMILY AND FOUNDATION
Research & Conservation Tracking Terrapins in Our Marshes Using new telemetry technology through our partnership with Cellular Tracking Technology, we are beginning to reveal long-sought information about the lives of diamondback terrapins in the marsh. Using size-appropriate Ultra Long Range/ GPS tags and digital battery powered radio transmitters, we can track headstarted and wild juvenile terrapins to learn more about their movements, behavior, and habitat use. These data provide insights into how terrapins respond to flooding tides, periods of drought, and cooling temperatures, and where they like to spend their time. By continuing this work and tracking young
by Dr. Lisa Ferguson
individuals, we will be able to fill gaps in our knowledge of terrapin life history and help inform conservation efforts at The Wetlands Institute and beyond. We are also tracking adult female terrapins within the marsh, producing some firstof-its-kind data for the species. With the tracking devices we have been able to document eight terrapins on probable nest attempts and directly observe four transmitter-equipped females nesting. Up to three times a season, these data tell us how terrapins travel between nesting visits. The project is increasing our understanding of terrapin movements
and home range size, as well as basking and nesting behavior. We are excited to continue this investment in research, and for the great opportunity it presents for The Wetlands Institute to exhibit our expertise and advance the research and conservation of diamondback terrapins and other species of interest. Thanks to the supporters of this project, including Franklin Parker Conservation Grant, The Leff Family Foundation, Quest for the Best Foundation, and the Davenport Family Foundation.
Grants and Gifts Keep The Wetlands Institute Projects Afloat We are pleased to announce that The Wetlands Institute received an emergency funds grant from Quest for the Best to purchase a new 16’ Carolina skiff and trailer. We also received a generous donation from Julian and Betsy Miraglia to cover expenses for fiberglass repairs and a new engine for our workhorse 16’ skiff. We rely on these boats for so much of our work, and are grateful to have new and improved vessels that can reliably support our on-thewater research and conservation programs that include marsh monitoring programs, research on beneficial use of dredge materials, colonial bird use of elevated nesting habitats, diamondback terrapin population studies and telemetry work, and wave and current studies of the back bays. Thanks so much to these supporters.
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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 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; 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!
What better way to enjoy your Jalma Farms jam then spread on a piping-hot popover! Here’s staffer Kimberly Dmytro’s favorite recipe for these delectable treats:
These adorable little mice are ready to celebrate the season with you, and they’ve got some ideas for holiday festivity. Add a little shore to your decor with these beautiful handmade ornaments from Jersey Cape Seaglass, crafted right here in Cape May from beach glass and resin-molded sea stars (no actual sea stars were harmed in the making of these ornaments). Or join the mice in their favorite sweet treat, native Black Aronia and Beach Plum jams from Jalma Farms—local, homemade, and delicious!
wetlandsinstitute.org
1 Cup Flour 1 Cup Milk 2 Tbl butter, melted 2 Eggs Pinch salt Cold butter for greasing muffin pan Fill well-greased tins 1/3 full, bake at 450° for 15 minutes then turn down oven (without opening!) to 350° and bake about 15 minutes more. Watch for tops to turn brown, then remove and serve hot. Makes 6 in popover pan.
Winter Happenings 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 Wetlands Institute. For more information, visit wetlandsinstitute.org/events.
Seasonal Science Activities 10AM to 4PM
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 11AM
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.
Creature Feature & Craft 2PM
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 whelk, sea urchins, sea stars, mud snails, and more!
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.
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.
2020 Special Events Lineup Turtle Fest Spring Shorebird & Horseshoe Crab Festival Crabulous Crab Day Summer Celebration Fall Migration Festival
April 11 May 16-17 July 10 July 25 Sept. 19
Visit wetlandsinstitute.org/events for details
Fridays, January-March – Save the Dates!
Lunch and Learn Join us for a weekly exploration of topics important to our coastal and wetland ecosystems. Bring your lunch and The Wetlands Institute will provide coffee and dessert. Each week we will feature a different speaker and topic of discussion! Please check our website for complete details.
The Wetlands Institute’s Annual
Program Fee: $3 for members and $5 for non-members Friday, 11:45am. January 10 - March 20 except on dates of Covered Dish Dinners (January 31 and February 28)
Covered Dish Dinners Nothing could be better than an evening filled with meeting new people, eating great food, and engaging in scientific discussion! Join us the last Friday of each month, January - March, as we bring in guest speakers from around the region to share their knowledge of important issues in the fields of environmental science and biology. In the spirit of covered dish dinners, please bring an appetizer, entrée, salad, or dessert to share with at least eight people. Please check our website for complete details. Program Fee: $7 for members and $12 for non-members, plus a covered dish to share. RSVP requested. Friday, 6:00pm. January 31, February 28, and March 27
Call 609.368.1211 or stop in to buy tickets. Drawing: December 19, 2019, 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 toll-free 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800426-2537). Net proceeds will be used to further environmental education and conservation programs at The Wetlands Institute. RA# 08-19 481-5-25895 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 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.
Views from theTower Beginning and Beyond
Yes! I want to support The Wetlands Institute!
What a fantastic 50th Anniversary year for The Wetlands Institute! We’ve reconnected with former staff and supporters, partners, and even pupils – and we’ve delved deep into Herbert Mills’s vision and the actions that formed the bedrock of the Institute’s mission. Do you know what we’ve found?
$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
It all begins with you. Fifty years ago, people like you heard the call to act and answered it. And every year since, supporters like you have seen the value in research, conservation, and education in environmental stewardship, and have helped us lead the charge.
The Wetlands Institute is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization.
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 2019-4QDMA
Your annual gift ensures that we can continue the work begun by Mills and those early visionaries, giving meaning to the beautiful marsh and advocating for the creatures that live there. Being able to count on a community who cares as much as we do and who will take action to protect this special place is our greatest asset. Please, make a gift today so that we can continue to make history for the next 50 years—and beyond.
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!)