1075 Stone Harbor Boulevard Stone Harbor, NJ 08247 609‐368‐1211, Fax: 609‐368‐3871  

www.wetlandsins tute.org The Wetlands Ins tute

Our MissionTopromoteappreciation,understandingandstewardshipofwetlandsandcoastalecosystemsthroughourprogramsinconservation,research,andeducation.Our Vision Aworldwherewetlandsandcoastalecosystemsthrive,andallpeopleknowhowessentialthesesystemsaretolife.

TheWetlandsInstitutewasfoundedin1969byHerbertMills,thenExecutiveDirectoroftheWorldWildlifeFund,andadedicatedgroupofcitizensandscientists.TheInstituteisanot‐for‐pro itorganizationdedicatedtounderstanding,preserving,andprotectingcoastalandwetlandecosystems.Ourgoalistobeaworld‐classconservation,educationandresearchcenterinsouthernNewJerseythateducatespeopleofallagesaboutthebeautyandwondersofcoastalenvironment,andtheimportancethewetlandshaveintheirdailylives.Weaimtoinspireeveryonetowanttoconserveandsustainthatenvironmentforever.LocatedinCapeMayCounty,theInstituteissituatedon6,000acresofpristinecoastalwetlandsthatserveasourlaboratoryandclassroom.Wepromotetheconservationandpreservationofcoastalecosystemsbyprovidingengagingexperiencesforresidents,families,students,andtourists.TheWetlandsInstitutehostsmorethan20,000visitorsannually,hasmorethan2,600members,andhostsnearly6,000studentsineducationprogramseachyear.

OurResearchprogramisworkingtounderstandcomplexproblems,whileourConservationprogramsprovideopportunitiesforourcommunitytoimplementon‐the‐groundsolutionsandmakeadifference.TheWetlandsInstitutehasbeeneducatingpeopleofallagessinceourfoundingover40yearsago,andourverylivesdependonsustaininghealthywetlandsandcoastalecosystems.Coastalcommunitiesandcoastalecosystemsarecriticalareasforahostofplanet‐alteringphenomenathatareinthenewseveryday.Globalwarming,withpredictedrisesinsealevelandimpactsontheintensityandfrequencyofviolentstorms,depletionof isheries,lossofbiodiversity,beacherosion,protectionandconservationofnaturalresources,sustainabledevelopment,andalternateenergydevelopment,areallimportanttopicsthatarebecomingmainstream.Webelievethatpeoplewillvaluewetlandsandcoastalecosystemsiftheyunderstandhowtheyworkandwhytheirhealthissotightlyintertwinedwithours.Thatbeliefisthemovingforcebehindalloureducationprograms.Fromsummernatureprogramsandlectures,toourhands‐onprogramsforschoolchildren,wehaveinspiredgenerationstocareabouttheenvironmentandtobecomeenvironmentallyliteratecitizens.

BackgroundBackground What We Do… and Why We Do itWhat We Do… and Why We Do it

Board of Trustees TheBoardofTrusteesforTheWetlandsInstituteisdedicatedtohelpingusgrowandsucceedinful illingourmission:Topromoteappreciation,understandingandstewardshipofwetlandsandcoastalecosystemsthroughourprogramsinconservation,educationandresearch.OurBoardrecognizestheimportanceofstayingtruetotheInstitute’smission,visionandgoals,andtheyarecommittedtopromotingthewetlandsandcoastalsurroundingsthatweknowandlove.

The Wetlands Ins tute

Members: 

Raymond M. Burke (Chairman)  President, Burke Motor Group; Director, Sturdy Savings Bank;     Director, NJ Economic Development Authority 

Michael Craig        Owner, The Washington Inn  

Roberta DeVries      Philadelphia Zoo Travel Planner & Program Coordinator 

John Flynn        State Trails Coordinator, NJ DEP Green Acres Program  

Anne Galli (Secretary)     Environmental Educator & Consultant  

Lois Hamilton        Community Volunteer  

C. Lee Harp         Of Council, A orney / Partner, Archer & Greiner 

Deborah A. Hays (Vice Chair)    A orney / Partner, Archer & Greiner 

Dorothy Ives‐Dewey, Ph.D.    Associate Professor Geography, West Chester University, PA 

Daniel Klem, Jr., Ph.D      Professor of Biology, Muhlenberg College, PA 

Mary M. Millar       Principal, Avalon Carpet Tile & Flooring  

Jane Rakestraw (Treasurer)    Re red, VP Human Resources, Saks Fi h Avenue NY 

G. Wayne Renneisen      Partner, Harvey, Pennington, Cabot, Griffith & Renneisen, LTD 

Henry E. Schellenger      President, Delwebb LLC. 

Gregory Willis        Re red, Gregory J. Willis Builder 

 Leadership: Lenore P. Tedesco, Ph.D.    Execu ve Director 

 

2013

Program Highlights

Environmental Educa on

Future Scien sts & Educators 5undergraduateresearchinternsconducted ieldandlaboratoryresearchinourCoastalConservationResearchProgram.

Weco‐taught11undergraduatestudentsina ield‐basedwetlandecologycoursewithGloucesterCountyCollege.

Hosted6NOAAandNationalGeographicWatershedWorkshopswithRowanUniversityattheInstitute.

4EnvironmentalEducationInternsreceived hands-on education experience, delivering programming this summer – 2wentontopursuecareersinenvironmentaleducation.

Impact Conserva on in Ac on

Hands‐On & Feet‐Wet Programs: Morethan1,800studentsfrom22schoolsvisitedtheInstituteforgrade‐speci icprogramsemphasizinghands‐onandfeet‐wetactivities,includingwaterqualitytesting,seiningtosamplelifeinthemarsh,taxonomytoidentifytheirbeachcombing indings,andsearchingforterrapinhatchlings.

Science Education at Sea (S.E.A.S.): Nearly1,100studentsparticipatedinthisthree‐hourboatingtriptolearnaboutbayandcoastalecosystems.Teachingsessionsincludeestuaryhabitat,horseshoecrabs,crabbing,dolphinwatchingandmore.

Studentsuseatrawlnetandplanktonsamplingnettocollectorganismstoidentifyanddiscover.

Morethan20,000visitorsexperiencedtheWetlandsInstitute

Morethan2,600memberscelebratedourcoastalandmarshecosystems

347children,ages4‐12,participatedinSummerNaturePrograms

Morethan2,600kidswentoutsidetheclassroomfor ieldtripsandoutreachprograms

Morethan1,800studentsat22schoolshadthewondersofmarinelifebroughttothemthroughourtravelingenvironmentaleducationprograms

1,088youthwenton28SEAS(ScienceEducationatSea)tripsandexploredtheocean

293volunteersprovidedmorethan4,380hoursofservicevaluedat$110,408

Weeducated1,485peopleaboutTheWetlandsInstituteat15communityoutreachevents

AllchildreningradesK‐2fromMiddleTWPElementaryandallchildreningradesK‐8fromOceanCitySchoolsexperiencedmultipleeducationprogramsagainthisyear.

Terrapin Conserva on: 142terrapinswererescuedfromroadways 760eggsremovedfromroadkilledfemales 317orphanedterrapinshatchedfromourincubators 202headstartterrapinsreleasedbackintoCapeMaysaltmarshes 57terrapinnestsprotectedfrompredationbyexclosures 3milesofterrapinbarrierfenceinstalledandmaintained 400stormdrainsmonitoredinSouthJerseyby24volunteers 764hatchlingsrescuedfromstormdrainsFisheries Conserva on: Raisedandreleasedmorethan3,000HorseshoeCrabsthroughinnovativeaquaculturetechniques.

Conducted24horseshoecrabbreedingcensuson2DelawareBaybeacheswiththehelpof72volunteers.

Rescued1,928adultHorseshoeCrabsfromdesiccationandpredationwiththehelpof14volunteersduring25Return‐the‐Favorwalks.

Assistedwithrestorationof4criticalhorseshoecrabspawningbeachesalongDelawareBayandmonitoredprojectsuccess.

Set‐up14mono ilament ishinglinerecyclingstationsatvariousishinglocationsthroughoutSouthernNewJersey.

Collected100’sofpiecesofdebrisduring2beachsweeps. Avian Conserva on: Conductedover20birdsurveysoflocalwetlandshabitat. AssistedtheDelawareBayShorebirdProjectwithshorebirdcapture.Resightedover250bandedshorebirdstotrackpopulationmovementsandtrends.

The Wetlands Ins tute         (609).368.1211      www.wetlandsins tute.org 

Capacity Building Re‐openedournewlydesignedandre‐builtdockandsaltwaterpumpingfacility.

Renovatedourdormitorytobettermeetnewstaf ingneedsandserveundergraduatesummerinterns.

Arein inaldesignofabrandnewelevatedmarshboardwalktoexpandresearchandvisitoropportunities.

New Fes vals Support Conserva on Weintroducedtwoneweventsthatcelebrateandhighlightourresearch,conservationandeducationprogramsthisyear:

The Wetlands Institute held the first Annual Spring Shorebird and Horseshoe Crab Festival. The event was created to celebrate an amazing spectacle of nature – the shorebird migration and horseshoe crab spawning season. Children and guests of all ages enjoy guided

shorebird walks along our local beaches and salt marshes, guided viewings of shorebird and horseshoe crab interactions along the Delaware Bay, naturalist-led horseshoe crab night walks, opportunities to view and participate in shorebird tagging with the International Shorebird Research Team, live horseshoe crab demonstrations, face painting, and hands-on education and conservation-based activities and games.

The Wetlands Ins tute         (609).368.1211      www.wetlandsins tute.org 

Wealsointroducedanotherevent illedwithfunandeducation;theFallMigrationFestival.Visitorscametoenjoytheabundanceanddiversityofspeciesmigratingthroughthe

CapeMayPeninsulaandtobetterunderstandwhatmakesitamongthetopbirdingdestinationsintheworldandatopbirdingdestinationinNorthAmerica.Visitorsofallagescametoexploreandlearnaboutthemagni icentphenomenonoffallmigration!WehadguidedviewingofmigratorybirdsfromtheInstituteandonSevenMileIsland,beachanddunehikes,migratoryraptorsupcloseandpersonal,retrieverdogdemonstrations,andmuchmore!

The Wetlands Ins tute

Execu ve Leadership Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Execu ve Directorltedesco@wetlandsinstitute.orgAstheExecutiveDirector,LenoreisresponsibleforleadershipofTheWetlandsInstitute.SheisdevelopinganexpandedvisionoftheInstituteandimplementingitsmissionwiththestaffandboard.Lenoreisresponsibleforthedevelopmentofresearch,conservationandeducationprograms,publicrelationsandfundraising.Sheworkswiththeboard,staff,andcommunitypartnerstodevelopnewconservationinitiativesandsustainagroupofyear‐roundvolunteers.Shehasfocusedher5‐yearplanontransformingTheWetlandsInstituteintoacenterofexcellenceinresearch,conservationandeducation.2013wasatransformationalyearatTheWetlandsInstitute.HurricaneSandycausedsigni icantdamagetoInstituteinfrastructurecompletelydestroyingthedock,saltwaterpumpingfacilityandmarshwalkway.Inmid‐September,2013,afterHerculeaneffortstoexpeditepermittingandconstruction,weopenedabrandnewdockandsaltwaterpumpingfacilitythatreplacesthedockthatHurricaneSandycompletelydestroyed.ThemarshwalkwayisslatedtobecompletedbyApril,2014.Underherleadership,TheInstituteundertookamajorstaffrestructuringeffortandaddedseveralkeyteammembers.Thedormitorieshavebeenrenovatedtobetteraccommodatenewstaffandbetterservesummerresearchandeducationinterns.PartofthetransformationfocusedonrestructuringtheResearchandConservationDepartmenttoincludeAvianResearchandConservation,Fisheries,TerrapinConservation,andWetlandandEstuarineResearchandConservation.TheEducationDepartmenthasaddedseveralnewfaces,launchednewprograms,andupdatedandenhancedmanyexistingprograms.InJune,2013,TheWetlandsInstitutelaunchedaCapacityBuildingInitiative.TheCapacityBuildingInitiativeisa$500,000campaignfocusedonbuildingthenecessarycorestaffandupgradinginfrastructuretosupportimpactfulinitiativesthatbene ittheplantsandanimalsofcoastalecosystemsandthepeoplethatrelyonthemfortheirlivelihoodandwell‐being.Keyleadershipstaffarelargelyinplace.Laboratoryrenovationandstart‐upfundingforresearchequipmentwillempowerstafftobringwetlandconservationandeducationdirectlytoourconstituents.Sandyprovidedanamazingopportunitytobuildanelevatedmarshboardwalkinanewlocationtoenhancewetlandresearch,immersevisitorsinwetlandeducationprograms,andprovideunparalleledmarshviewsandenjoymentforourcommunity.PriortojoiningtheWetlandsInstitute,Dr.TedescowasaProfessorintheDepartmentofEarthSciencesatIndianaUniversity(IU)for20years.ShewasalsotheDirectoroftheCenterforEarthandEnvironmentalScience(CEES)there.Herresearchinterestsareinwaterresources,wetland,estuarineandstreamrestoration,andenvironmentaleducation.Sheistherecipientofresearchgrantsfromfederal,state,local,corporateandphilanthropicfundingsourcesinexcessof$5.4millionandeducationgrantstotalingmorethan$3.6million.Topicsinclude:WaterResourcesResearch,WatershedPlanningandManagement,FloodErosionHazardMitigation,WetlandandStreamRestorationandDynamics,ClimateChange,CoastalEcosystemDevelopmentandStability,andK‐12ScienceandEnvironmentalScienceEducation.Whileaprofessor,shefocusedherscholarshiponahostofenvironmentalissues.Sheistherecipientofseveralenvironmentalleadershipandteachingawards,wasnominatedforaNationalWetlandsAwardandreceivedanIndianaGovernor’sAwardforEnvironmentalExcellenceforherworkineducationandoutreach.Shehaspublished45articlesinscienti icjournals,presentedmorethan140scienti icpapers,andgivenmorethan150invitedlectures.SincejoiningTheWetlandsInstitute,herresearchinterestshavefocusedonbeachrestoration,sealevelrise

The Wetlands Ins tute

Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Execu ve Directorltedesco@wetlandsinstitute.orgAstheExecutiveDirector,LenoreisresponsibleforleadershipoftheWetlandsInstitute.SheisdevelopinganexpandedvisionoftheInstituteandimplementingitsmissionwiththestaffandboard.Lenoreisresponsibleforthedevelopmentofresearch,conservationandeducationprograms,publicrelationsandfundraising.Sheworkswiththeboard,staff,andcommunitytosustainagroupofyear‐roundvolunteers.Shehasfocusedher5‐yearplanontransformingTheWetlandsInstituteintoacenterofexcellenceinresearch,conservationandeducation.

Dr. Lisa Ferguson, Deputy Director of Research and Conserva onlferguson@wetlandsinstitute.orgAs the Deputy Director of Research and Conservation, Lisa oversees a diverse coastal and wetlands research program that supports the vision of the Wetlands Institute. Lisa collaborates with visiting scientists, university students, and numerous partners in the development of conservation-focused research, and works closely with the Institute’s Education Program. Her research explores the habitat use, health, and behavior of coastal birds to address management and conservation issues.

Brooke Knapick, Director of Educa onal Program Developmentbknapick@wetlandsinstitute.orgBrookeisresponsibleforexpansionofenvironmentaleducationprogramsforchildren,youthandthegeneralpublic.Herprimaryresponsibilitiesincludedevelopinguniqueplace‐basedenvironmentaleducationcurriculumandcontentacrossallages,assessingprogramimpactandseekingnewopportunitiestoconsistentlystriveforexcellenceastheInstitutedevelopsnationallycompetitiveeducationalprograms.

Chris ne Ma era, Director of Marke ng and Communica ons cmattera@wetlandsinstitute.orgChristineoverseestheInstitute’smarketing,advertising,publicrelationsandcommunications.Sheisresponsibleforthedesignanddistributionofpromotionalmaterials.ShealsomaintainstheInstitute’swebsiteandcoordinatessocialnetworkingfortheInstitute.Ka e Sellers, Conserva on Scien stconservation@wetlandsinstitute.orgKatieSellersisaconservationscientistintheDepartmentofResearchandConservation.KatieisworkingtoimplementseveralconservationprogramsincludingimplementingaSustainableFisheriesandSeafoodprogram,aMarineDebrisprogram,thehorseshoecrabconservationprogram,andisinstallingmono ilamentrecyclingstationsthroughoutthearea.KatiemanagestheInstitute'sGISandmappinglabandisdevelopingconservationprotocolsforourterrapinstormdrainrescueprogram.

Brian Williamson, Associate Research Scien st research@wetlandsinstitute.orgBrian was hired as a part-time Associate Research Scientist to assist with terrapin projects at The Wetlands Institute this fall. Brian graduated with a Master’s degree in Biology from Marshall University and has studied Diamondback Terrapins and EasternBox Turtles.

Kaitlin Gannon, Outreach Coordinatorkgannon@wetlandsinstitute.orgKaitlinisanenvironmentaleducatorthatworksonoutreachprogramsandtrips,aswellasprogramsattheInstitute.ShebringsliveanimalsandinteractiveEnvironmentalEducationprogramstoschools,libraries,campgroundsandotherorganizationsthroughoutNewJerseyandpartsofPennsylvaniaandDelaware.KaitlinalsocoordinatestheScienceEducationatSea(SEAS)programinWildwood,CapeMayandSandyHookBay.Sue Slo erback, Environmental Educator sslotterback@wetlandsinstitute.org As Environmental Educator at The Wetlands Institute, Sue is responsible for the development and facilitation of environmental education programs to school and homeschool groups, as well as Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops. She also coordinates the summer Nature and Kayak Camps, which involve creating week-long themed activities, planning field trips, coordinating instructors, and supervising the Institute’s junior volunteers.

Kirby Hoffman, Aquarist, Environmental Educator  aquarium@wetlandsinstitute.orgAstheAquaristandanEnvironmentalEducatorattheInstitute,Kirbyisresponsiblefortakingcareoftheaquariumandmarineanimals.Allanimalsarewellfed,safe,happy,healthyandfuntowatchthankstoKirby’smaintenanceandsupervision.Additionally,KirbyassistsineducationalprogramsbothattheInstituteandonOutreachtrips.

Meet the Staff

Threats to Diamondback Terrapins  Duringtheirnestingseason(lateMay–July),femaleDiamondbackTerrapins(Malaclemys terrapin) emergefromthesaltmarshinsearchofanuplandsitetolaytheireggs.Duringthissearch,femalesmustoftencrossbusyroadsandareatriskofdeathorinjuryfromvehicles.Staff,CCRPinterns,andvolunteersatTheWetlandsInstitutemonitorlocalroadsfornestingfemaleterrapinsanddocumentlocationsofroad‐killed,injured,andliveanimalsinordertomap‘hot‐spots’forimprovedpopulationconservation.Wealsorescueallpossiblefemalesandeggs.Injuredterrapinsaretreated.Viableeggsareretrievedfromroad‐killedterrapinsandincubatedatatemperaturethatensurestheywilldevelopintofemales.Aftermanyweeks,tinynewbornhatchlingsemergefromthese‘orphan’eggs.Hatchlingsareover‐winteredattheTheRichardStocktonCollegeofNewJersey’s‘turtlefarm’fortenmonthssotheycangrowtothesizeofa3‐4yearoldterrapin.These‘head‐start’terrapinshavebeengivenagreaterchanceofsurvivalwhenwereleasethembacktothesaltmarsh.Inordertobetterunderstandthedemographyandhabitatuseofour

localterrapinpopulation,wecaptureandmicrochipadult,juvenile,and’head‐start’terrapins.Researchprojectsstemmingfromthis20‐yearprogramincludeassessingthedistribution,movements,andabundanceofterrapins,establishingsite idelityofreleasedhatchlingsandnestingfemales,anddeterminingthelocationandcausesofterrapinmortalityhotspots.ResultsofourterrapinresearchinformterrapinconservationeffortsconductedbyTheWetlandsInstituteandbyotherconservationorganizations.Forexample,roadsurveysand’hot‐spot’detectionguidethelocationsofbarrierfenceinstallationalongourroadways,whichultimatelyreducesthenumberoffemaleterrapinskilledduringthenestingseason.Wealsorunprojectstoassessthethreatofstormdrainsandderelict ishinggearonterrapinpopulations.Horseshoe Crab Habitat HorseshoeCrabs(Limuluspolyphemus)areoftendescribedas"livingfossils"and illimportantnichesbothintheirnativeenvironmentsandinhumanpharmacology.DelawareBayprovidesprimespawninggroundsforHorseshoeCrabsandisapopulation

center.Annualspawningsurveyswereinitiatedseveraldecadesagoasaresultoflocalizedpopulationdeclinesandincreased ishingpressureoncrabsforbait.StandardizedsurveystakeplaceonthesamenightsinMayandJuneat25sitesalongthebayinbothDelawareandNewJersey.Staff,CCRPinterns,andvolunteersfromTheWetlandsInstitutemonitortwoDelawareBaybeachesalongtheCapeMayPeninsula.ThedatacollectedbyTheWetlandsInstitutecontributestoalarge‐scaleprojecttomonitorpopulationtrendsandspawningdensities.TheWetlandsInstitutealsocontributedtoamulti‐partnerprojectaimedatrestoringcriticalspawningbeachesalongtheDelawareBayafterHurricaneSandy.

Science at the Shore: Scien st Training Opportuni es

Providing Answers that Guide Ac on  

Research

Sinceitsfoundationin1969,TheWetlandsInstitutehasactivelyengagedcollegestudentsinawidevarietyofresearchprojectspertainingtothehabitats,processes,andwildlifeofthelocalbarrierbeachandwetlandecosystems.Eachsummer,TheWetlandsInstituterunstheCoastal

ConservationResearchProgram(CCRP),whichprovides5‐10studentinternsmentoringandsupervisedresearchopportunitieswithexperiencedresearchscientists.Overthepast20years,studentsfromnearly200academicinstitutionsthroughouttheUnitedStatesand

abroadhaveparticipatedintheCCRP.Additionally,visitingresearchers,graduatestudents,andcourseinstructorsfromacademicinstitutionsandagenciesaroundtheUnitedStatestakeadvantageofourfacilitiesandsurroundingecosystemsforresearchandeducationalopportunities.

For further informa on on the Ins tute’s research programs, please visit us at  www.wetlandsins tute.org 

A not‐for‐profit educa on and conserva on organiza on studying, preserving and protec ng wetlands  

and coastal ecosystems. 

Objec ve  

TheWetlandsInstituteaimstotakeanactiveroleindevelopingaccessibleandimpactfulconservationinitiativesthatpromoteawarenessandbehaviorchangeamongthecommunityandwithinourownInstitution.Weworktodevelopcollaborativeprogramsandwelcomesustainableandscienti icallybasedpartnerships.

Conserva on

Monofilament Recycling Sta ons:  Eitherbyaccidentorthroughneglect,mono ilament ishinglinecanmakeitswayintothemarineenvironment.Oncethere,mono ilamentlinecantakemorethan600yearstodecompose,duringwhichtimeitisahazardtomarineandbirdlife,scubadiversandevenboatpropellers.Inanefforttoreducetheamountofishinglinethatendsupinourlocalwaterways,The

WetlandsInstituteispartneringwithlocalmarinasandmunicipalitiestoinstallmono ilamentrecyclingstationsat ishinglocationsthroughoutSouthernNewJersey.Mono ilamentlineiscollectedfromtheserecyclingstationsbyTheWetlandsInstituteandsenttotheBerkeleyConservationInstitutetoberecycledintoplasticproductssuchasparkbenchesandtackleboxes.

Derelict Fishing Gear Removal:  Crabtrapsandother ishinggearthatmaybeforgottenorwhiskedawayduringastormcanhavenegativeimpactsoncoastalandestuarinespecies.Whenleftunchecked,thesecrabtraps‐or“GhostTraps”‐can ishinanendlesscycleasanimalsarecontinuallyattractedtothetrap.Inanefforttoaddressthiscommonproblem,TheWetlandsInstituteisworkingwithstate,local,anduniversitypartnerstolocateandremoveghosttrapsfromourlocalwaters.Ghosttrapsare irstlocatedandmappedwiththeuseofasidescansonar.OncethebluecrabharvestseasonendsinDecember,TheWetlandsInstituteremovestheseghosttrapstoreducemortalityofestuarinespecies,includingDiamondbackTerrapins.

Bycatch Reduc on Devices Crabtrapsarequitegoodatcatchingcrabsforourdinnertables,butunfortunatelytheyef icientlycatchothernon‐targetanimalssuchas ishorDiamondbackTerrapins.Thesenon‐targetspeciesarecommonlyreferredtoasbycatch.Becauseofthisuniversalcatchef iciency,TheStateofNewJerseyrequirestheentrancesofcommercial‐stylecrabtrapsusedincreeksofacertainsizetobeequippedwithBycatchReductionDevices(BRDs)inordertoreducethemortalityofnon‐targetspecies.TheWetlandsInstitutepromotestheuseofBRDs(andproducedtheoriginalprototypeofthedevice!)throughourprograms,andraisesfundstodistributeBRDsfreeofchargetorecreationalcrabbersinthelocalarea.

GivenrecentdeclinesinHorseshoeCrabpopulations,TheWetlandsInstitutehasengagedinstrengtheningconservationeffortsalongtheDelawareBay–hometotheworld’slargestbreedingpopulationofHorseshoeCrabs.Duringthespring,TheWetlandsInstitutestaffandvolunteersconductHorseshoeCrabspawningsurveysinordertocontributetoevaluationsoftheDelawareBay’sHorseshoeCrabpopulation.Re‐TurnTheFavorwalksareledbyTheWetlandsInstitutestaffandvolunteersduringthespawningseasontorescueHorseshoeCrabsthatbecomestrandedorimpingedonDelawareBaybeaches.Additionally,TheWetlandsInstituteistakingproactivestepsinaquaculturetechniqueswithlocalpartnerstoimprovemethodsforhatchingandrearingHorseshoeCrabsincaptivity.

Horseshoe Crabs 

Fisheries

Fascinating and Fun Learning Experiences AvisittoTheWetlandsInstituteisa“handson”educationalexperiencethatisfascinatingandfun!TheWetlandsInstitutehostsmorethan20,000visitorseachyear,and6,000ofthemareschoolchildren.Participantsofallagesareabletochosefromanumberofhands‐onactivitiesandexperiencesincludingguidedtours,aquariumfeedings,lectures,touchtankdemonstrationsandfeaturedprograms.

Wetlands Institute Educational Programs

Traveling Environmental Educa on and Group Outreach Programs

OurSEASprogramstakeplaceonaboat!Educationalactivitiesarehands‐onandallparticipantsincludingstudents,chaperonesandteachersgetinvolvedwiththesamplingandlearningprocess.Studentsare

amazedbywhattheyseeinjustonedropofwaterthroughourPlanktonStudiesprogram.Thereisnobetterwaytolearnaboutseacreaturesthantoholdthem,andstudentsareintroducedtoavarietyoforganismsthroughourLiveAnimalTouchTanks. Whatswimsbeneaththesurface?StudentslearnbypullingaTrawlNetthroughthewaterandexaminingthevarietyofcrustaceans, ishandalgaetheycatch.Dolphinsloveagoodgameandstudentsaretreatedtoarangeof3‐300dolphinsinoneDolphinWatching trip.SEAStripsfeature ivedifferentlearningstationsandleavefromtwolocationsinNewJersey(CapeMayandSandyHook).

OurTravelingEnvironmentalEducationandGroupOutreachProgramsallowusto“BringtheWetlandstoYou.”TheInstitutebringstheliveanimalsandexcitingpresentationstoschools,

libraries,campgrounds,ferries,festivalsandalmostanywhereelseinthetri‐statearea.Theseunforgettableeducationalexperiencesareadaptedforallagegroupsandincludesomefascinatingtopicssuchas: SeaCreatureswithAmazingFeatures AquaticAdaptations TravelingTurtles Plankton:BugsoftheSea SaltwaterGenePools LifeinaSaltMarsh TravelingTouchTank

Throughdiscovery,scienceexperimentation,games,tripsandmore,TheWetlandsInstituteexploressevenweeksoffunthemesandtopics,eachworkingtopromoteadesiretopreservetheearth’sabundantdiversity

oflife.Weeklyactivitiesareofferedfromages5through12withspecialbi‐weeklyprogramofferingsforchildrenage4.Withanewthemeeachweek,participantsaretreatedtohands‐onfascinatingfuneachday.

Allofourenvironmentaleducationprogramsemphasizehands‐onlearningandthescienti icmethod.Webelievechildrenlearnmorefromgettingalittlewetormuddythanfrom

listeningtoalecture.Nearly100schoolgroupsvisittheInstitutethroughouttheyearinagesrangingfromKindergartentoHighSchool.Visitorscanexperienceavarietyofhandsoneducationalactivitiesincluding: Exploringtheuniqueecosystemofthesaltmarsh Learningofthefoodwebconnectionsamong

plantsandanimals Examiningthelifeandconservationeffortsofthe

diamondbackterrapin Visitingthebeachtoobserveandexaminethe

plantsandanimalsthatcallithome Discoveringthecharacteristicsofawetlandby

performingdifferentexperimentsincludingbackbayseining.

Anumberofeducationalprogramsarenotdetailedhere,includingEducationalInternshipOpportunitiesandourpopularSummerDocentProgram.FormoreinformationonEducationatTheWetlandsInstitute,pleasevisitourwebsiteat:www.wetlandsinstitute.org

Educa on

Environmental Educa on Field Trip Program Science Educa on at Sea (SEAS) Program

Summer Nature Program

A not-for-profit education and conservation organization studying, preserving and protecting wetlands and coastal ecosystems.