The Wetlands Institute 2014 Annual Report

2014 Annual Report

A non-profit organization studying, preserving and protecting wetlands and coastal ecosystems

About Us The Wetlands Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting appreciation, understanding and stewardship of wetlands and coastal ecosystems through our programs in research, conservation and education. We inspire visitors of all ages to appreciate and steward wetlands and coastal ecosystems by teaching them the importance of these systems and how they relate to their own lives. Visit our website at wetlandsinstitute.org to find out more about our programs and mission.

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Lenore P. Tedesco, PhD Executive Director Lenore joined The Wetlands Institute in October, 2011 and set upon a course of renewal and diversification of projects and programs to strengthen the Institute. Since her arrival, the Institute has built a core leadership team, expanded and reorganized the research and conservation department, reimagined and repurposed the education department, and rebuilt critical research and education infrastructure. There is now a renewed and expanded emphasis on mission-centric projects and programs focused on coastal and wetlands conservation and restoration programs, international wetland education programs, and new conservation partnerships that together are helping The Wetlands Institute achieve excellence in research, conservation and education.

Dr. Tedesco has a PhD from the University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science and a bachelor’s degree in Geology from Boston University. Prior to coming to Stone Harbor, Dr. Tedesco was a Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at IndianaPurdue University (IUPUI) for 21 years. She was also the Director of the Center for Earth and Environmental Science, where she worked on wetland restoration, water resources, and environmental education projects. She is the recipient of research grants in excess of $5.5 million and education grants totaling more than $3.6 million. She has published 56 articles in scientific journals, presented more than 150 scientific papers, and given more than 160 invited lectures.

At The Wetlands Institute, Dr. Tedesco has focused her research and conservation activities on coastal and wetland ecosystem dynamics and restoration. She has been working on habitat restoration projects on the Delaware Bay, Stone Harbor Point, and at the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary. She is working on coastal resiliency issues and international wetland center education programs.

Message from Dr. Tedesco 2014 was definitely a year for the Institute record books. The great plans we have made and set into motion – with your support – have begun to bear fruit. New grants in the Education and Research and Conservation Departments have brought a new level of excellence to the Institute. The Institute’s excellence in environmental education will be showcased on an international scale with the launch of the Russia-USA Wetland Center Exchange Program funded by the US State Department. The Research and Conservation Department experienced remarkable growth and launched several new projects that would not have been possible just a few years ago. The department joined two comprehensive project teams to work on significant conservation projects aimed at improving coastal resilience and enhancing habitat for beach and marsh nesting birds.

All of these projects directly serve our mission and are working to solve complex problems that face coastal and wetland ecosystems. They are applied projects that link research and conservation to action and have public communication, outreach and education as keystone components. The Institute is doing the critical work that Herbert Mills envisioned when he set out to build this great institution.

I am certain that Herbert Mills and Marion Glaspy would be proud of our accomplishments.

In three short years, the Institute has climbed to a level of excellence that motivates us to climb even higher. Through revitalized educational programs, diversified research and conservation projects, and enhanced facilities, the Institute is generating benefit to our communities.

I am proud to be at the helm of this amazing place and leading a remarkable team of dedicated professionals. We have Made No Small Plans and with your support and unwavering commitment, we have made so much progress.

I am excited to share this summary of our activities and accomplishments in 2014 and provide a preview of things to come in 2015. We have so much more to do. I hope you will be excited by how well we have stewarded your gifts and support – and continue to join us as we forge ahead.

Lenore Tedesco, PhD 3

Elevated Marsh Walkway

Damaged Walkway

Walkway Construction

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New Possibilities The old wooden walkway damaged by Hurricane Sandy was removed, leaving in its place an unhindered marsh. Reconstruction was an opportunity to rethink the possibilities for both research and education. We set upon a course to build to be better than before! The new walkway is a 720 ft. long loop with unparalleled access to the marsh. Standing 4 feet above the marsh, the 6 ft. wide walkway features two sets of stairs to provide improved access to the marsh for biological and environmental sampling and hands-on learning opportunities. The walkway is constructed using state-of-the-art methods, is sustainably constructed and utilized local contractors and locally sourced material for the vast majority of the project. The walkway utilizes a steel helical pile construction with more than 90 pilings that are screwed into the marsh more than 30 feet. The main walkway structure is aluminum with a polycarbonate grated surface that is specially designed to allow sunlight and rainwater to reach the plants and animals below and support a healthy marsh ecosystem. This remarkable project was made possible through the generosity of the following major funders: Spike and Mary Yoh for the Yoh Family Education Station, Bert DeVries for the John B. DeVries Research Station, the Davenport Family Foundation, Wayne and Kay Renneisen, and Julian and Betsy Miraglia. Please contact Lenore if you are interested in helping to support completion of the walkway.

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2014 Highlights •

The Wetlands Institute had more than 17,000 visitors

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Our membership roster counted more than 1,300 members

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131 Volunteers donated 3,436 hours of service

Educating and Engaging Through Hands-On Experiences •

50 Monarch butterflies hatched, tagged and released

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Approximately 6,000 Horseshoe Crabs hatched and released

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Over 1,900 fish and invertebrates caught, counted, identified and released

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Over 11,000 children and young adults and150 schools and organizations participated in education programs

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Participated in 15 community outreach events and 4 invited talks and presentations attended by more than 6,000 community members

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160 pieces of artwork submitted to the Junior Duck Competition

Terrapin Research and Conservation – By The Numbers

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207 terrapins were rescued from roadways

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751 eggs were removed from road killed females

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373 orphaned terrapins hatched from our incubators

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130 headstart terrapins were released back into Cape May County salt marshes

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72 terrapin nests were protected from predation by exclosures

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3 miles of terrapin barrier fence was installed and maintained

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361 storm drains were monitored in South Jersey by 24 volunteers

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460 hatchlings were rescued from storm drains

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146 nesting terrapins captured: 99 were repeat recaptures, 6 were headstarters released at least 6 years ago, including one that is now 15 years old!

New Grants Support Research and Conservation

Our Staff

Work began on two exciting projects this year, both funded by the Department of the Interior through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Hurricane Sandy Coastal Resiliency Competitive Grants Program.

Leadership: Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director Dr. Lisa Ferguson, Director of Research & Conservation

The first project will enhance nesting and roosting habitat for coastal birds at Stone Harbor Point, as well as provide additional resiliency to the community. We anticipate the rewards of our planning and development will be evident over the coming years, and will ultimately return Stone Harbor Point to its fullest significance for coastal birds. We are pleased to partner with NJ Audubon Society, Niles and Associates, Conserve Wildlife Foundation, NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, The Borough of Stone Harbor, and others on this project.

Brooke Knapick, Director of Educational Program Development Bonnie Girard, Director of Finance and Administration Christine Mattera, Director of Marketing and Communications Heather Gee, Director of Development

Research and Conservation: Brian Williamson, Research Scientist

Education: Kaitlin Gannon, Outreach Coordinator Sue Slotterback, Environmental Educator

We will also be participating in a project right in our own backyard. Led by NJ DEP with The Nature Conservancy, Green Trust Alliance, and others, this project will test beneficial uses of dredge materials to enhance and restore multiple degraded wetland sites.

Dredge materials that were applied to Ring Island will be monitored intensively over the coming years.

The Wetlands Institute will contribute to biological monitoring of the site by assessing the response of the bird communities to these changes, and we’ll also help to engage youth in the project.

Samantha Sorbello, Aquarist/Environmental Educator

Administration: Terrie Campbell, Financial Administrative Assistant Christina Faulk, Administrative Assistant Joyce Ferguson, Tidepool Shop Manager Stephanie Stroble, Front Desk Reception/Admissions Coordinator Charlene Smith, Gardener

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Studying the Sanctuary This fall, Joann Corn, professor of Biology at Bucks County Community College, conducted a vegetation survey of the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary with assistance and guidance from The Wetlands Institute. The goal of this survey was to develop a better understanding of vegetation communities in the sanctuary, as well as understanding the impact of invasive plant species. The information we gained during this study will be used to help make management decisions to ensure that the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary is able to support healthy populations of birds and other wildlife for years to come.

Earning Our Stripes This past summer, The Wetlands Institute began an effort to reduce bird collisions on the property by covering the windows at the front of the building with American Bird Conservancy’s Bird Tape. The reflections of trees and sky in a window can confuse birds and cause them to fly into the window.

Thousands of birds are killed or injured this way each year. ABC’s bird tape - and other products and approaches - disrupts the reflection of habitat that is visible in the window and allows birds to recognize the windows as solid objects, reducing or even eliminating bird-window collisions. Since installing the tape, we’ve definitely noticed a lower number of bird collisions. Consider earning your stripes and helping to reduce bird strikes at your home!

A Clean Sweep This year, we again led two beach clean-ups in partnership with Clean Ocean Action, the Borough of Stone Harbor, and the Stone Harbor Property Owners Association. With the help of numerous volunteers, more 3,065 pieces of trash and debris were removed from the beaches of Stone Harbor. We also partnered with Clean Ocean Action to measure the amount of microplastics found in water and sediment samples on Stone Harbor and Avalon Beaches, with the help of the Wetlands Field Ecology class from Rowan College at Gloucester County. We will continue working with Clean Ocean Action to keep local beaches clean in 2015 – and hope you do too!

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Research and Con

nservation Projects reTURN the Favor We spent many hours - day and night, in the field and in the office - to help the horseshoe crabs this year. With the support of volunteers, we conducted spawning surveys at two Delaware Bay Beaches and led horseshoe crab tagging events to mark 500 horseshoe crabs on Reeds Beach. Not only that, we restructured the reTURN the Favor Program, a collaborative effort that enables organized volunteer groups to save horseshoe crabs stranded on New Jersey’s seasonally closed and open beaches. With program upgrades and new partners for this second program year, we were able to far exceed our goals for the season. Along with other RTF Steering Committee members (NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, and Celebrate Delaware Bay), partner organizations (New Jersey Audubon, The Nature Conservancy, Bayshore Center at Bivalve, Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and its Tributaries, and Friends of Cape May National Wildlife Refuge), and our staff and volunteers, the program conducted over 200 rescue walks and rescued over 31,000 crabs!

Meet Brick the Terrapin!

Diamondback terrapin mothers are incredibly determined, crossing roads and risking injury to lay their eggs. This year, we even had a terrapin dig a nest between two paver stones near our parking lot. Surprisingly, in September at least one of the eggs hatched despite being laid in such a strange location.

This turtle, who we affectionately named “Brick” after its birthplace, was born somewhat small and with a large number of shell deformities, but is otherwise quite healthy. Brick is currently being headstarted at Stockton College by John Rokita, where it will hopefully grow quickly to be released at the Institute in 2015.

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Terrapin Conservation This year, we continued to rescue female terrapins from roadways in Cape May County. In fact, by focusing our efforts on times nesting terrapins were most active, we increased the number of terrapins rescued from roads. With continued support from project partners, we successfully rehabilitated injured terrapins. We were able to retrieve over 750 eggs from female terrapins found killed on the roadsand had good hatching success. These hatchlings currently reside at the Turtle Farm at Stockton University and with dedicated classroom teachers for their year of advanced growth. We released 130 headstarters in 2014 that we hope to see again in 7 or 8 years to have babies of their own. They are marked with a coded pit tag so we can track their survival. This year we were lucky to see 6 headstarted terrapins from years past return to our property to nest!

On our property, we protected 72 terrapin nests with predator exclosures. To help visitors find them all, we created a map of the exclosures and made it available to all visitors. In addition, to help educate visitors about terrapin conservation, we made signs to attach to exclosures protecting particularly interesting nests, such as nests laid by returning headstarters.

The signs have been a big hit with visitors this year, and we plan on continuing in years to come. Try to find them all on your next visit, and learn more about terrapins!

For the fourth consecutive year, The Wetlands Institute received a grant from the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund. This award will help us to continue our many diamondback terrapin research, conservation and education projects, which include road patrols during the nesting season, our storm drain rescue project, terrapin barrier fence installation and maintenance, as well as bycatch reduction device distribution. The grant also provides resources to continue and expand our ghost trap removal program, which will allow us to further reduce the threats derelict crab traps pose to terrapins in the salt marsh.

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Our Volunteers are Conservation Heroes!

Citizen Conservationist Award

At The Wetlands Institute, we consider all of our volunteers heroes; without their assistance, our efforts could not be successful. This year three of our volunteers, Joe Grottola, Steve Ahern, and Susan Ahern, received the Disney Conservation Heroes Award for their exemplary dedication to terrapin conservation. A heroes medal and $1,500 is given annually by Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund to only a small number of applicants from around the world. We congratulate Joe, Steve, and Susan for their achievement and thank them for their ceaseless dedication to the cause of diamondback terrapin conservation.

The 2014 Citizen Conservation Award was deservingly awarded to Steve and Susan Ahern for their tireless efforts to support diamondback terrapin conservation.

The couple has donated thousands of hours for the cause - spearheaded the Institute’s Turtle Fest event to raise funds for our Diamondback Terrapin Conservation programs, organized the Sea Isle Terrapin Rescue Project, and rescued over 1,400 terrapins from local storm drains. We deeply appreciate the work the Ahern’s do to further terrapin conservation and their partnership with The Wetlands Institute.

Looking for a Way to Share Your Talents?

The Wetlands Institute is always looking for new volunteers to help us achieve our mission of promoting the appreciation, understanding and stewardship of wetlands and coastal ecosystems through our programs in research, education and conservation. Please consider joining us for special one-day volunteer opportunities or on a more routine basis throughout the coming months! For more information on our volunteer opportunities, please visit our website at: wetlandsinstitute.org/about-us/help-us-grow/volunteer/ 11

Summer Research and Conservation Internships The Wetlands Institute helped me use the knowledge I’ve acquired over the past three years as a college student as well as the skills I’ve developed during my previous internships and volunteering.... My summer in New Jersey was a place where I learned a lot about how to go about wetlands research, but honestly, a lot more about being a person. - CCRP Summer Intern Each summer, the Coastal Conservation Research Program provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to explore and learn about coastal and wetlands ecosystems.

By boots and boat, over roads and through mud and sand, the interns collected data, led outreach programs, and conducted independent research projects, which were presented at the Annual Intern Symposium in August.

Jillena Yeager (The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey) - Jillena, who returned as lead CCRP intern in 2014, continued her research on the relationship between female terrapin body size and reproductive potential. Jill counted and measured follicles from road-killed terrapins collected and made our terrapin nest map and fact cards.

Katie Goplerud (University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point) - Katie conducted surveys to determine how terrapin numbers varied with time of day and location. She kayaked through the salt marsh to count terrapin heads as an indicator of the population abundance.

Mary Jo Monk (University of North Florida) - Using game cameras to take motion triggered and time lapse photos, Mary Jo set out to determine if there was a significant difference between the amount of terrapin nesting activity during the day and at night.

Mollie Nugent (State University of New York College of Environmental Science and

Forestry) - Mollie mapped the locations and elevations of bird nests located at The Wetlands Institute, with a focus on Willet, Laughing Gull and Clapper Rail nests. The goal of her project was to better understand the risk flooding tides pose to the survival of bird nests on our property.

Kelly Pittenger (Colgate University) - Kelly studied the impacts of tail injuries and impingement hazards (such as jetties) on the Delaware Bay population of horseshoe crabs. She identified stranding hotspots and worked to determine if crabs with tail injuries are more likely to be stranded.

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Summer Environmental Education Internships What an amazing experience - words cannot describe how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to spend my summer at The Wetlands Institute‌ I have learned so much and am happy to know that I can confidently say Environmental Studies is certainly the right major for me! - Environmental Education Summer Intern

Rachel Landman, Salt Marsh Ambassadors - Rachel created an activity guidebook

Internships with the Future in Mind

focused on visitors aged 10-13. The book contains several activities including: a crossword puzzle, an aquarium feeding survey, and a template to write a persuasive letter about the importance of the salt marsh. The packet includes a conservation pledge that kids can sign and take home, empowering them to be ambassadors.

The Environmental Education Interns

Gabrielle Hubbard, Putting the Pieces Together - Gabrielle created jigsaw puzzles

were responsible for leading all general

of their choosing that were personally

that represent the natural habitat of the Diamondback Terrapin, and the anatomy of the Horseshoe Crab. These family-friendly activities are in Terrapin Station. Each activity is also converted into a comprehensive lesson plan for use in 4th – 6th grade classrooms, with optional extension activities to tailor the activity to lower and/or higher grade levels.

and/or institutionally beneficial. These

Alison Swan, Focusing on Community Connections - Alison created an interactive salt

admission programs, while developing and implementing education projects

projects assisted them in honing skill

the field of environmental education.

marsh food web display on predatory-prey relationships to add to the interactive activities in the aquarium. Her project also focused on revamping three exhibits at Ocean City’s Bayside Center including the interactive salt marsh food web display, a Terrapin Learning Station, and an exhibit on marine debris in our oceans.

This was a great summer and their

Celina Daddario, Salt Marsh Explorers - Celina created a learning tool to focus the

sets that are essential to creating fundamentally successful programs in

commitment and dedication to leading quality education programs has been a wonderful asset! The interns presented their completed projects at the Annual Intern Symposium in August.

various learning styles of children aged 6-9 during guided programs and self-exploration activities. The packet provides children with specific information and facts to listen for during presentations, topics to study in the exhibits, fun salt marsh inspired games, restoration of the Bev Henry rubbing post activity and suggestions for take home activities that give parents/guardians a resource guide to further educate their child on the salt marsh.

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Education Reaping the Rewards of Generosity This spring, more than 240 students from Lawnside Public School, Middle Township High School and Dr. William Mennies Elementary School received all expenses paid scholarships to participate in environmental education programs. These three worthy schools were the first recipients of scholarship money donated by generous supporters at our Wings ‘N Water Benefit Auction. These environmental education scholarships are very competitive and schools must complete detailed applications, demonstrate high financial and/or student need and have full administrative support for program participation. It was wonderful to see these students experience the wonders of our coastal and wetland ecosystems first-hand and we are looking forward to many more scholarships to come!

It is an honor and with great pleasure that I am accepting this scholarship. - Jon Jenkins, Lawnside Public School Just wanted to thank you for a great trip yesterday. Our students had a blast! - Ashley Thomas, Dr. William Mennies Elementary School

Home, Sweet Home - Fostering Community Partnerships For many years, The Wetlands Institute has maintained long-standing partnerships with local schools in both Middle Township and Ocean City. Each year, approximately 450 children in grades K-2 from Middle Township Elementary and nearly 1,300 children in grades K-9 from Ocean City Schools experience multi-day engagement environmental education programs ranging from aquariums in the classroom to sustainable seafood to beach and wetland explorations. All programs emphasize place-based education and allow students to explore and understand the surrounding South Jersey ecosystems they call home. From turtles to salt marshes, water testing to sustainable seafood, we seek to leave a lasting impression on the students. As we reflect on the longevity of these partnerships, we look forward to giving future students a deeper appreciation for their local environment!

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Programs

A Fresh Face in the Aquarium

Diving Deeper into Scientific Inquiry

This spring, we welcomed a fresh new face to the aquarium, Samantha Sorbello, Aquarist and Environmental Educator.

Growing up, Sam spent her summers vacationing on the New Jersey Shore. Like so many before her, it was here that her fascination with the ocean and its associated marine life blossomed. While attending Roger Williams University in Rhode Island, Sam worked as an Assistant Aquarist and Environmental Educator at Save the Bay.

This spring we elevated the scientific content of

After graduating in 2009, with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology, and a double minor in Aquarium Science and Psychology, Sam spent the next year at The College of Marine Mammal Professions at Dolphin Research Center getting an Associate’s Degree in Marine Mammal Behavior, Care, and Training. In the aquarium, Sam has been working on getting some new and exciting animals on display including our juvenile smooth dogfish shark and several mantis shrimp.

Sam is very excited to be back at the shore and working with the amazing people and animals at The Wetlands Institute!

organisms that are caught in the trawl net.

our Science Education at Sea (SEAS) program by adding biodiversity assessments to the program’s onboard trawl net activity. During these assessment activities, using the same methodology and procedures conducted aboard actual marine research sampling vessels, the students work to identify, count and record all

Efforts this spring assisted us in crafting baseline data, allowing us to see and identify trends in species populations over time.

For schools

that return annually, they will have a unique opportunity to compare their student collected data from year to year, seeking out and identifying changes in species populations. This spring, students identified nearly 50 different species of marine and estuarine organisms including some

Having the opportunity to apply my academic knowledge and passion for marine science is so rewarding. - Samantha Sorbello

memorable moonfish, mantis shrimp, tonguefish, and a 15 inch striped sea robin!

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New Jersey Teen Wins National Junior Duck Stamp Competition

Self-Exploration of the Seasons In

addition

programs,

to

engaging

exciting

live

public animal

This was a very exciting year for the Junior

exhibits, and wonderful views along

Duck Stamp Program in New Jersey. For

the Salt Marsh Trail and elevated walkway, visitors can now participate in

self-guided

activities

at

The

Wetlands Institute.

The new Osprey Learning Station highlights our favorite summer resident ospreys. The remote camera on the Institute’s closest osprey nesting platform feeds real time action to a large wall-mounted flat screen monitor allowing visitors a close up view of these magnificent birds and their behaviors. A nearby map locates the other five nesting platforms and hands-on games and activities engage families in learning more about the osprey’s habits and habitat.

the first time our State Best of Show won First Place in the National Junior Duck Stamp Competition, becoming The Junior Duck Stamp for the USA. The winning work was an acrylic painting of a King Eider by Si Youn Kim of Tenafly, NJ. There were over 160 pieces of art submitted to this year’s New Jersey competition. The works are judged in four groups according to the age of the artists (K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12). There are three 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each group. The state’s Best of Show is chosen from the twelve first

Weekly Seasonal Science Activities including Sensational Seeds, Watery

place winners and is sent to the national competition to be judged among the

Ways, Being a Naturalist, Geocaching and Letterboxing, Backyard Birds, and

Best of Show winners of the other states and U.S. territories.

Nature Masks and Costumes give visitors a new way to explore their natural environment. The popular Colors of the Season activity encourages visitors to look at how color is used in nature. Visitors use a variety of media such as crayons, markers, chalk, and pastels, and are given drawing prompts, how-to-draw animals instructions, and nature journaling resources. They are challenged to make their own “paint chips” and find those colors while taking

Throughout the year there are many opportunities to see the winning artwork.

While Si Youn Kim’s winning piece is on tour around the United States, a copy can be seen on tour along with the rest of New Jersey’s Top 36 original works in different venues around New Jersey. A smaller exhibit is on permanent display at The Wetlands Institute.

a walk on the trail. Easels and watercolors are provided along the deck rail for visitors to mix colors and match them to what they are seeing outside, or they can paint the view or a close, natural object.

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The Wetlands Institute is looking for a sponsor of the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation Program. Contact us if you are interested in learning more.

Russia-USA Wetland Center Exchange Program: Linking People and Wetlands Having been awarded a grant through the US State Department’s US-Russia Peer-to-Peer Dialogue Program, the Education Department at The Wetlands Institute, Wetland Link International based in the UK, and Wetlands International Russia based in Moscow, have teamed up to generate a beneficial international dialogue between wetland centers in the US and Russia. The Russia-USA Wetland Center Exchange Program: Linking People and Wetlands program will bring staff from wetland centers in the US and Russia together to share best practices in environmental education and support the development of effective outreach and education activities. In the coming months, The Wetlands Institute is excited to coordinate and participate in this international exchange program and share our long history of expertise in wetland education with our collaborative partners in Russia and across the US. Look for program updates and an international conference at the Institute in fall 2015.

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Time for a Bigger NEHST

Having Fun in the Jersey Sun

Our popular Nature Education for Homeschool Students and Teachers (NEHST) program is already reaping the benefits of sowing new seeds this season as evidenced by an exponential growth in program participation. New this year, we are offering a second day of programming each month so we can reach more homeschooling families. Each programming day is comprised of a morning session for younger children ages 5-8, and an afternoon session for children ages 9-16. Having sessions divided by age allows for both younger and older children to participate more fully in authentic activities geared specifically for them.

Summer Nature Program has never been so much fun! With new iconic themes or new twists on our classic programs, this popular summer program has a rich and remarkable history. This year, program participants enjoyed Forces of Nature, Eco-Trails and Treasures, Fins, Scales, and Tails, Thar She Blows, See Life at the Seashore, Bugs, Bats, and Butterflies, Oh My!, and All Hands on Deck! Each program explored our south Jersey environment in enriching ways.

New topics and activities have been a source of enrichment. Each year, there are three overarching themes, each theme is explored for three months and each month focuses on a more specific topic. For each theme, interdisciplinary take-home Branching Activities and Family Field Trips are offered, providing opportunities for families to continue exploring the themes on their own.

Throughout the year, when participating in programs, children are encouraged to create a Nature Discovery Journal. These journals give children the opportunity to reflect on their experiences and express themselves through language arts and/or art.

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One of the most incredible legacies of the Summer Nature Program has been its impact on families over the generations. We are constantly told of wonderful memories from our adult members about their experiences in summer programs. The joy on parents faces as they bring their kids in for the summer is inspirational. Grandparents commonly come in with their grandkids and tell us of the family traditions they have from when their children came to the Institute.

I participated in the Summer Nature Program during my elementary school years – spending my summer days wandering through the muddy trail, catching fiddler crabs, eating pickle grass, and learning about all of the wonderful things the wetlands has in its bright green grasses and salt waters abundant with life. The amazing experiences I have had at The Wetlands Institute as both a camper and a volunteer have influenced me to consider a career as a marine biologist. - Celina Cebellos

Leaving a Legacy Long-time supporter of the The Wetlands Institute, Barbara Eckhardt recalls, “Driving into Stone Harbor for the first time in 1977, Dick and I spotted that wonderful building nestled so comfortably into the wetland landscape and promised ourselves that we would investigate what goes on there.

We were not disappointed. With my husband’s enthusiasm for nature and my degree in zoology, we quickly embraced a love for the natural wonders of this South Jersey area. Along with many fascinating hours watching and learning about all the birds that frequented our small piece of paradise, regular trips to The Wetlands Institute encouraged us to learn as much as we could”.

When asked why she decided to leave a legacy to the Institute, she replied, “The mission of the Institute is such an important one: to preserve this crucially important saltwater marshland area with all its flora and fauna, to care for the local ecological habitats, and through education, to help the human occupants of this land understand its role in our lives as well as to engender an appreciation of that which is mercifully still here, alive and well. I support this mission and from the beginning I felt that I had found a home here. I hope there continues to be a bright future for The Wetlands Institute both scientifically and as a place where the wonder of this local natural habitat can be shared and enjoyed with all.”

Barbara and Dick are founding members of The Wetlands Institute Legacy Society because she simply notified the Institute of her intention to include The Wetlands Institute in her estate plans.

Before Dick died, they sold a piece of land, now a part of New Jersey’s State Park system, and with the proceeds created a Charitable Remainder Trust to benefit The Wetlands Institute. Barbara has also named The Wetlands Institute as a beneficiary of her will. Barbara’s love of and appreciation for the Institute’s research, conservation and education work is undeniable and, while the Institute will not benefit from these planned gifts until well into the future, Barbara continues to generously support the Institute year after year. She is a shining example of what it means to leave a legacy!

For more information about how to leave a legacy to The Wetlands Institute, please contact the Development Department at 609-368-1211 or email Heather Gee at hgee@wetlandsinstitute.org.

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Board of Trustees • • • •

Raymond M. Burke, Chairman – President, Burke Motor Group – Director, Sturdy Savings Bank Deborah A. Hays, Vice Chair – Attorney/Partner, Archer & Greiner Jane Rakestraw, Treasurer – Retired, VP Human Resources, Saks Fifth Avenue NY Anne Galli, Secretary – Retired, Environmental Educator – Vice Chair,

New Jersey Commission on Environmental Education • Michael Craig – Owner, The Washington Inn • John Cuthbert – Physicist, Technical Manager, Bell Laboratories, Retired • Roberta DeVries – Philadelphia Zoo Travel Planner & Program Coordinator • James Donohue – Retired Partner, White and Williams, LLP, Litigation Attorney • John Flynn – NJ DEP/Green Acres Program, State Trails Coordinator • Lois Hamilton, Chair, Education Committee – Community Volunteer • C. Lee Harp, Chair, Governance Committee – Of Counsel, Attorney/Partner, Archer & Greiner • Dorothy Ives-Dewey, Ph.D., Chair, Research and Conservation Committee – Professor of

Geography and Planning, West Chester University • Daniel Klem, Jr. Ph.D. – Professor of Biology & Sarkis Acopian Professor of Ornithology

and Conservation Biology, Muhlenberg College, PA • Mary M. Millar – Principal, Avalon Flooring • G. Wayne Renneisen, Chair, Finance Committee – Retired Attorney, Harvey, Pennington, LTD • Henry E. Schellenger, Chair, Development Committee - President/CEO, DelWebb LLC

A Word from Ray Burke, Board Chairman 2014 has been an extraordinary year. The core positions of Dr. Tedesco’s Leadership Team have been filled and the Institute now possesses the critical management elements to implement Lenore’s operational objectives. She has assembled a highly capable team of professionals who are focused on moving the organization to great new heights.

The Institute is viewed by local and regional organizations as a dependable resource for analysis and advice in the formulation of environmental public policy. Dr Tedesco and her team are regularly sought by key policy makers in need of practical well balanced assessments of complicated coastal environmental issues. The reputation of the Institute has rapidly expanded beyond local and regional dimensions and the Board now regularly evaluates opportunities to participate in projects of national and international scope.

I am pleased to work with one of the hardest working and focused Boards that any Chairman has ever worked with. This year, we added two outstanding members that are already immersed in the very demanding task of supporting Dr. Tedesco’s aggressive agenda.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to thank all of our members who have stepped up to support our efforts to make this organization worthy of the vision of its founders. These are historic times at The Wetlands Institute and yet the possibilities are almost endless. Thank you for your support of this wonderful adventure.

With best wishes,

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Raymond M. Burke, III Chairman

Donations $100,000 and up The Laura Hare Charitable Trust

$25,000 to $99,999 Davenport Family Foundation Dr. Constance P. Dent Mr. and Mrs. G. Wayne Renneisen Hank and Julie Schellenger

$10,000 to $24,999 Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Burke, III Mr. Michael Craig Roberta G. DeVries Mr. and Mrs. Barry Hamilton Mr. and Mrs. C. Lee Harp, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. J. Robert Herd Mr. and Mrs. James McEntee Mary Millar Mr. and Mrs. Julian Miraglia Mr. and Mrs. James Summers

$5,000 to $9,999 Anne Galli Dr. Ann T. Gundry Rev. and Mrs. Jan Koczera Mr. and Mrs. James D. Miller PA Lumbermens Mutual Ins. Co Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Roach, Jr. The Thomas Family Gift Fund Mr. and Mrs. Harold Yoh, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth B. Zeigler

$2,500 to $4,999 James J. Donohue and Carol Mager Lang Rogers Family Foundation Ms. Jane Rakestraw

$1,000 to $2,499 AGP Holdings, L.L.C. Anonymous

Bayview, Galloway, Ocean Heights Animal Hospitals Mr. James J. Cahill Ms. Beverly Cassidy Mr. and Mrs. Richard Clark Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Colalillo Covidien, Ltd. Mr. and Mrs. Benton Crisman Mr. and Dr. John Dewey Mr. Dennis T. Dutton EarthShare of New Jersey Mrs. Barbara R. Eckhardt Eden Charitable Foundation Therese Esperdy and Robert Neborak Mr. and Mrs. Cameron Fowler Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Georganna Ms. Joanne Greenspun The Hall Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. Hill Mr. Joseph Jehl Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Jones, Jr. Drs. George and Lisa Kenis The John Lazarich, III Foundation Margate Bridge Co./Downbeach Express Mr. and Mrs. John Mazzo Mr. and Mrs. William McMahon, III Mrs. Marge Moretzsohn Jeannie Morris Moselem Springs Golf Club North American Sea Glass Association Mr. and Mrs. James Quinn Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rich Tim and Cindy Roach Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Sandmeyer Mr. and Mrs. John Shamlian Silverstein Properties Steen Outdoor Advertising Dr. Lenore Tedesco and Ms. Nancy Fribley Mr. and Mrs. Roy Tedesco Union League of Philadelphia Ms. Patricia Weiser

Ms. Karen E. Welke Mr. and Mrs. Philip Welsh Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Williams Mr. and Mrs. Carter Worth

$500 to $999 Avalon Home and Landowners Association Mr. and Mrs. John Baer Barrier Island Quilters Maury and Laurie Blumberg Brown & Brown of New Jersey Mrs. Audrey Buckingham Don and Libby Steckler Charitable Lead Trust Cleveland Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Perry Conte Mrs. Margaret Corson and Family Dr. and Mrs. Marc Daniel Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Denny Ms. Heather Evans Mr. and Mrs. Ritson Ferguson Dr. and Mrs. J. Alan Ferner Andree Finkle Dr. Loretta Finnegan Mr. John Flynn Ms. Joan Galli Glass Roots Gallery Mr. and Mrs. George Gowen, Jr. Harbor Outfitters The Charles and Mary Louise Hartman Fund Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hays Mr. and Mrs. Coleman Henry Mr. and Mrs. Harry J. Hoplamazian, Jr. IBM International Foundation Matching Grants Program Mr. and Mrs. E. Richard Irrgang Johnson & Johnson Matching Gifts Program Ms. Barbara Keefer Mr. and Mrs. Fredrick J. Killmeyer Mrs. Ellen Kravet Burke The Honorable William H. and Mrs. Lamb Ms. Jennifer Lavin

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Majka Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mallon Margate PBA No. 65 Mr. and Mrs. Joseph G. Mattos Mr. and Mrs. William E. McCracken Mr. Stephen W. Miller Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Moceri Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Parker Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts Mr. and Mrs. Richard Redeker Ms. Victoria D. Rosskam Herman and Dot Saatkamp Seashore Ace Barry and Sandra Slabik Mrs. Glenna G. Stewart Dr. and Mrs. Ronald B. Stump The Robin and Susan Tafel Charitable Fund Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Toolen Mr. and Mrs. Vincent J. Trosino, Sr. William Ris Galleries Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Willis Laura J. Wilson and Mark Menting Dr. and Mrs A.F. Wood Mr. and Mrs. Ronald L. Workman Ms. Janice Zimmerman

$250 to $499 Ms. Gwendoline E. Alexander Lee and Jim Amigh Jennifer Armstrong Coccodrilli Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Asher Mr. Paul R. Barbin Mr. and Mrs. Peter Beyda Wally and Patricia Bishop Ms. Lisa Black Ralph Boerner and Betsy Wrobel-Boerner Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Branda, Jr. Mr. Tarry Bratton Mr. and Mrs. Chris Brown Dr. and Mrs. Christopher Brown Ms. Margot Brubaker

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Donations Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Bugden Joanne Carrocino Dr. and Mrs. Gregory Carolan Mr. and Mrs. Steven Cheryba Clarke’s Sunset Market Mr. and Mrs. Dennis J. Colgan, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. John Connor The Craig Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Philip Dahlen Mr. and Mrs. William Dahms Dr. and Mrs. Robert M. Davis Days Inn & Suites Wildwood Mr. and Mrs. Paul Disdier Mr. and Mrs. Louis Eni John H. Fahnestock and Martha Heller Mr. and Mrs. James Faulk Mr. and Mrs. Lewis E. Ferguson Mr. and Mrs. William R. Flippin Mrs. Alfred M. Frank Fred’s Tavern Liquor Store Mr. and Mrs. Clayton French Mr. and Mrs. Harry French Mr. and Mrs. Ned Galbally Ms. Wendy Lee Garthwaite Ms. Heather Gee Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Glenn, III Mr. and Mrs. Gary Glynn Chris and Kathleen Gubanich Ms. Rebecca Gustafson Greg and Debbie Hamilton Mr. and Mrs. Edward H. Hanway Ms. Graysha K. Harris Ms. Kathe Hocevar Mr. and Mrs. Edward K. Hueber Ms. Mary Lou Ireton Ms. Bonnie Bell Jack Jackson Family Wine Mr. and Mrs. Peter Jespersen Mr. and Mrs. Quincy T. Jones Ms. Linda Keil Mr. and Mrs. William J. Koehl, Jr.

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Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kosteva Mr. and Mrs. Larry Kravet Ms. Helen Kushla Ms. Carol D. Lane Mr. and Mrs. William Lauth Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lee, III Mr. and Mrs. Milton Levy Mr. and Mrs. Charles Q. Livingston Ms. Kristin Long Mad Batter Restaurant Ms. Gloria McNutt Julie Mealo Mr. and Mrs. David Merlin Mimi’s and Suncatcher Mr. and Mrs. Hugo Monformoso Mr. Hector Negroni and Ms. Kimberly Weil Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Nicholson Osborne’s Furniture Mr. Steven B. Pfeiffer Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Phillips, III Mr. Richard O. Pike Mr. and Mrs. Seymour S. Preston, III Ms. Diana Prokapus Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Pruitt Ms. Elizabeth Rita Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Robinowitz Ms. Sharon Rothwell Mr. and Mrs. William Ruhling, Jr. Mr. Grant Salstrom Rodney and Tracey Sandmeyer Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Schneid Mr. Robert Schroeder Heidi Setz-Kelly and Peter Kelly Mr. and Mrs. John J. Sideravage Mr. and Mrs. Charles O. Slugg Ms. Eileen A. Smalfus Mr. Stan Sperlak Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Stiles Stone Harbor Elementary School Maj. Gen. John K. Stoner, Jr. Strathmere Fishing & Environmental Club

Summer House Design Group Mr. and Mrs. Phil Tedesco The Diving Horse The Koenig Family Charitable Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation The Reeds at Shelter Haven Mr. James Thomas Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Thomas Ms. Michele Thompson Mr. Ellsworth B. Thorndike Turtle Crossing Café Lise Twiford Mr. and Mrs. Mark Van Kooy Mr. and Mrs. Dan Very Herman C. Voellm Mr. and Mrs. Robert Vogel Mr. and Mrs. Bud Waisbren, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Walck Mr. and Mrs. Charles Walsh Mr. Larry A. Wehr Mr. Geoff Coe Mr. and Mrs. Louis J. Zucca, Jr.

$100 to $249 Ms. April Adams Mr. and Mrs. Richard P. Adams Ms. Nedra Adelizzi Mr. and Mrs. James Agger, Jr Mr. and Mrs. James Agger, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Steve Ahern Mr. and Mrs. David E. Albrecht, Jr. Kathleen Allen Mr. and Mrs. Tom Anderson Anonymous Mr. Robert Arnold Mr. and Mrs. David Atkinson Mr. and Mrs. John Avallone Avalon Free Public Library Avalon Golf Club Avenues to Independent Living Ms. Margaret Bacigal

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bain Ms. Virginia H. Banks Mr. Bill Barber Mr. David Barry Anna and Rick Baumgartner Mrs. Pat Begley Ms. Carrie Bell Bellevue Tavern Peter Benedict Ms. Ann E. Benjey Mrs. Susan A. Benner Alfred Bergbauer Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bernhardt Mr. Alexander Berol Mr. and Mrs. John Berrigan Dr. Sue Binkley Tatem Mr. Andrew R. Blair Mr. and Mrs. David Blom Blooms Flowers Robert Blumberg and Jessica Cuevas Dr. and Mrs. William R.A. Boben Mr. Brian Borak Mr. and Mrs. William Bowen Ms. Lynn Bowlby Ms. Jenny Bowman Mr. and Mrs. Craig Boyd Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Brace Ms. Roseanne Braiotta Mr. and Mrs. Edward Breen The Arielle and Jerald Brodkey Philantropic Fund Mr. and Mrs. Jon Brooks Mr. Kernan Brooks Mr. Arthur Brown Ms. Ashley Brown Daniel Brown Mrs. John Brown, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Buechele Mrs. Harriet Burg Mr. and Mrs. John Burke Ms. Kitt Burlington

Donations Mrs. Barbara Burton-Sharp Mrs. Susan Byer Café Loren Stewart and Terrie Campbell Cape May Day Spa Cape May National Golf Club Cape May Winery Mr. and Mrs. Jim Carll Mr. William J. Carney Everett Cassel and Lucina Johnson Mrs. Cindy Catanoso Mr. and Mrs. Ed Caterson Ms. Joan Cavalier Dr. Young Chung and Ms. Kristen Beyer Mr. and Mrs. John Clapham Mr. and Mrs. Robert Clark Ms. Lisa Clayton Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Cloetingh Mr. and Mrs. Frederick L. Cole, Jr. Concord Café Concord Suites Congress Hall - Blue Pig Tavern Mr. and Mrs. George Connors Mrs. Joann Corn Mr. and Mrs. John Corrado Mr. and Mrs. Osman M. Corson, Jr. Crab Trap Restaurant Mrs. Geraldine Crudele Mr. and Mrs. James G. Cullen Ms. Judy Cunningham Michael Daddario and Nancy Demkosky Mr. and Mrs. Paul Daggett Mr. and Mrs. Douglass Davidson, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. James W. Davis Kenneth and Nancy Davis Mr. Robert T. DeGavre Mr. and Mrs. Robert DeMento Vivian Dent and Don Hazen Mr. and Mrs. Jack Devery Ms. Lisa DiLullo Dennis DiMarco

Ms. Lisa Doherty Ms. Tracy Doherty Jenn Dolan Donna’s Place Mr. and Mrs. William Dougherty Mr. and Mrs. William Doughty Ms. Barbara Driscoll Mr. and Mrs. Paul Driscoll Judee and Brian Dunn Ebbitt Room/Virginia Hotel Ms. Ingrid Eberly and Ms. Liz Wallace Mr. Lee F. Eberly Ms. Judith A. Ehlerman Mr. Bill Ehrenstrom Mr. William J. Eisenbrey Ms. Wendy Eisenhofer Mrs. Azalea Ellis Mrs. Mary Anne Ellmer Mrs. Joanne English Mr. and Mrs. Paul Fahey Mr. Mark Falcone Ms. Christina Faulk Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Fay Mr. Ronnie Fay Ferguson-Dechert Real Estate Donna and Jack Ferraioli Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ferrier Mr. James C. Finkle, Jr. Ms. Susan Fiori Ms. Kay Fitzgerald Mr. and Mrs. Michael Flemming Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Flinchbaugh, Jr. Mr. Bruce Folsom Mr. Alan M. Ford and Elaine M. Braccio Patricia Ford-Roegner Ms. Julia Forrest Mr. and Mrs. Terry Fortino Mrs. Jane Foster Terry and Lawrence Frangiosa Michael Franklin Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Fulton

Mr. and Mrs. William Furge Mr. and Mrs. Donald R Furmanski, Jr. Fuze Italian Fuze Restaurant & Mirage Lounge Andrea Gaglio and Benjamin Lammers Mr. and Mrs. W. Roderick Gagne Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Galatola Carla Gallelli Mr. and Mrs. Phil Galperin Mr. Robert Gannon Chris Garvey Mr. John Gaydos and Ms. Dawn Pistilli Ms. Norma Jean Geesey Dr. and Mrs. Gary S. Gehman Ms. Valerie Gehr Ms. Katherine Gifford Bob and Bonnie Girard Ms. Joyce Gitin Global Pursuit Mr.and Mrs. John Glomb Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Goldstein Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gorelick Mr. and Mrs. Barry Grass Mr. Edward Grassi Mrs. Patricia B. Greenwood Ms. Amy Gustafson Ms. Bobbi Hainey Mr. and Mrs. John Hallinan, Jr. Mr. Robert B. Hamilton Mr. and Mrs. Jim Hampton Mr. and Mrs. Warren Harlan Harpoon Henry’s Ms. Mary Ann L. Hart Mr. and Mrs. George E. Hassel Ms. Alexa Hays Ms. Stephanie Hays Ms. Linda Kay Heckert Ms. Stacey Helmers Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. Henahan Mr. and Mrs. John F. Hentz Mr. John J. Herd, II

Mr. and Mrs. George Hermann Ms. Bonnie Higgins Mr. John Hinkle, Jr. Jonathan and Becki Hirsh Mr. and Mrs. Steven Hirsh Ms. Sue Hobbs and Mr. Phil Dietz Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Hober Ms. Augusta Hogan Ms. Janice Holden Mr. Peter A. Holter Mr. and Mrs. Tim Horn Michele Horvath Ms. Helen Hovdesven Hoys 5 & 10 Mr. Timothy Hughes Ms. Elizabeth Hulitt Ms. Holly Hummel Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hurley, III Mr. Thomas F. Hynd Mrs. Lynne Ives Ivy Hill Cemetery Jack’s Shack Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Jacovini Jay’s On Third Mr. and Mrs. George P. Jennings Mr. and Mrs. Michael Jobes Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Johnston Mr. and Mrs. David M. Junkin Mr. and Mrs. Tac Justi Mr. and Mrs. Bob Karasik Ms. Hazel S. Kavle Dr. and Mrs. Francis X. Keeley Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Keightley Ms. Valerie Keller Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Kelly Mr. and Mrs. Paul Kelly Mr. Robert Kelly Ms. Mary Kay Kennedy Dr. Richard B. Kent Mr. Stephen Kepchar, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. James R. Kern

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Donations Ms. Kathleen Keyser Julie and Kara Kircher Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kirchhoff Mr. and Mrs. Todd Klein Brooke and Ryan Knapick Mr. and Mrs. Bill Knous Karen Knudsen and Charles Hetzel Mr. and Mrs. James J. Koegel Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Kosloski Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell B. Kowal Mr. John Kowchak Mr. and Mrs. Charles Krafczek Mrs. Joan Kramar Mr. and Mrs. David S. Kratz Mr. and Mrs. Larry Kratzer Mr. and Mrs. Cary Kravet Mr. Scott Kravet Jane G. Kurtz Lace Silhouettes Lingerie Mr. and Mrs. Bill Laffey Ms. Jean M. Laning Ms. Anita M. LaPlaca Mr. and Mrs. Christopher P. Laux Law Office of Donald M. Doherty, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Louis Leaff Ms. Polly Lessig Jonathan LeVeen and Mary McPherson Ms. Janet Levine Mr. and Mrs. James Lim Dr. and Mrs. Gary Linton Mr. and Mrs. Don Liskay Ms. Marie Litman Ms. Carolann Littzi Mr. Anthony Lombardo Mrs. Phyllis A. Lowe Mr. and Mrs. Martin Lukacs Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. MacFarland Mr. and Mrs. Larry Magid Mr. and Mrs. Bucky Mansuy Ms. Elizabeth Martin Mr. and Mrs. Keith Martin

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Dr. and Mrs. Terry L. Master Mr. Ajit Mathur Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Matthews Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mattise Mrs. Marjorie Mattos The Matus Family Mr. Edward S. May, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Jay Mayes Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Mazur Dr. and Mrs. Joseph McCadden Mr. Robert McClennen Mr. and Mrs. Dave McClung Dr. and Mrs. Hugh McFadden Signian McGeary Mr. James McGivern and Family Ms. Suzanne M. McGowan Mr. and Mrs. Bernard McGrann Ms. Marylou K. McHugh Dr. Mari Margaret McLean and Ms. Ann W. James Mr. Wallace McMichael Dr. and Mrs. John McNichol Dr. Kathleen W. McNicholas Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Melzer Ms. Judith Merlin Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Metz Mr. and Mrs. Allen Meyer Mr. and Mrs. William H. Michael Mr. and Mrs. John Michalski Mr. Hal Miller Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Milnes Mrs. Carol M. Miner Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Monk Mr. Christopher Mooney Morey’s Piers Ms. Mildred Morgan Mr. and Mrs. Albert Morrison Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Moss Mr. Daniel Mowday Ms. Joan L. Murray Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nash

Mr. Tom Naughton Mrs. Cassandra S. Naylor Mr. and Mrs. Joel Neigh Mr. Rich Noon Mrs. Cindy O’Connor Mr. Henry Ohls Mr. Emil Oscar Mr. and Mrs. Timothy O’Shaughnessy Dr. and Mrs. Robert Owen Ms. Fay Oxenreider Adolf Paier Paisley Christmas Shop Mr. and Mrs. Richard T. Palmerchuck Ms. Elizabeth Papastavros Mr. John J. Paris Ms. Jan Pask Mr. and Mrs. Richard Payne Mr. and Mrs. Davis Pearson Mr. and Mrs. James P. Penders Pete Smith’s Surf Shop Peter Shields Restaurant Mrs. Gail Pfeifer Mr. and Mrs. Jim Picanza Alice and Ned Powell Ms. Jane Prinski Ms. Janice M. Pruch Mr. and Mrs. Paul Purcell Mr. and Mrs. R. Brian Radcliffe Mr. and Mrs. Michael P. Ramage Ramsey Teachers Association Ms. Phyllis Reger Mr. Harry Reichert, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. William A. Remo, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Brian Reynolds Ms. Patty Reynolds Ms. Evelyn A. Rider Dr. William H. Roberts, Jr. Rob and Carolyn Robertson Mr. Atlee Robinson Ron Jaworski Golf Clubs Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Rosenberg

John and Ruth Rosser, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Mark Rothenberger Dr. and Mrs. Craig Rothman Mr. and Mrs. Dale R. Rothrock Mr. and Mrs. David G. Rowland Mr. Philip H. Rowland Patrick Sahukar Sand Barrens Golf Club Mr. and Mrs. James V. Sandor Mr. Larry Sarner Mr. and Mrs. Ferd Sauereisen Mr. Gerald Savitz Mr. Hank Schellenger Ms. Susan Schmidt Robert and Diana Scott Dr. and Mrs. W. Eric Scott Ms. Kathleen Scullion Seashore Wealth Management Ms. Patricia Seliga Karen and Aaron Serfass Shades of Stone Harbor Eileen Sheehan Shore Gate Golf Club The Architecture Teams at Siemens Skimmer Tours, LLC Skirt of Stone Harbor Mr. and Mrs. John B. Smiley Mr. Michael L. Smith Mr. and Mrs. Scott Smith Mr. and Mrs. William Smith, Jr. Mr. Craig S. Socie Mr. and Mrs. Peter Sollimo Ms. Leslie Sours Judith Stagg and William Zumach Mr. and Mrs. John Staley Ms. Allison Stattner Ms. Elizabeth M Stattner Mr. and Mrs. George Steele Mr. Anthony Stefano Mr. and Mrs. Bud Stein Mr. and Mrs. Ray Stercula

Donations Ms. Helen J. Wallace Rabbi Ariel Walsh Mrs. Suzanne Walters Mr. Robert Ward Mr. and Mrs. Joe Waterman Wawa Ms. Evelyn Blake Weaver Ms. Sandra Weidner Dr. and Mrs. Timothy Welby Mr. and Mrs. Will Wermuth Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Werner Mr. and Mrs. Tedor Whitman William Whitmore Ms. Rosemarie Widmer Mr. and Mrs. Brian Wilcox Wildwood Golf & Country Club Mr. and Mrs. H. Drake Williams, Jr. Windrift Resort Hotel Mr. Ken Witterholt Dr. and Mrs. Charles Wolfe Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Wood Ms. Mary Wood Dr. Roger C. Wood Mr. George Woodward Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wurzbach Mr. and Mrs. Tom Yoder Dr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Zaladonis, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. James Zdancewicz Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Zimmerman Ms. Martha Andes Ziskind Mr. and Mrs. Greg Zollner

Mrs. Jones Mr. Robert Oberholtzer Ms. Doris Raker Ms. Barbara Rooney Dr. and Mrs. Craig Rothman Dr. and Mrs. S. Kenneth Schonberg Mrs. Patricia Schroeder Mrs. Sarah Zimmerman Mr. Brian Zogas

Legacy Society Recognizing all of our friends who have included us in their estate plans, past and present.

Jim and Lee Amigh Anonymous Ruth H. Berry John and Roberta DeVries Richard and Barbara Eckhardt Marion Glaspey Maxine G. Haneman Lee and Nicky Harp Bob and Sally Herd Joseph E. LaVance, Jr. Mary Millar Jane Rakestraw Wayne and Kay Renneisen Sam and Nancy Roberts, Sr. Donna and Craig Rothman Jim and Barbara Summers Albert E. Wood, PhD Ken and Jennifer Zeigler

Donations in Memory of Edith Bray Robinson Shirley Cummings Moyer John DeVries Elizabeth Hewitt Barber Joseph Lasprogata Joyce Leonard Finnegan Maybury Rachel H McBride Geoffrey Moskowitz John D. Ohls Julia Peifer Robert J. Piefer Marion Reilly Agnes Robinson Patricia Schroeder Virginia Schwartzlow Thomas Swank

D

US

I NG SUS

TA ABL ER

HO

E MAT

IA

LS

AND M E

T

Mr. and Mrs. Steve Ahern Mr. Raymond Burke Mrs. Margaret Corson Mrs. Roberta Dean Mr. Jay Drasher Mrs. Barbara R. Eckhardt Mr. Robert Haines Mr. C. Lee Harp

D S P R I NT E

Donations in Honor of

IN

Mr. and Mrs. Rich Stingle Stone Harbor Golf Club Mr. Philip K. Stonier Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Storer Mr. and Mrs. Timothy M. Stout George Strassner Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Stroble Mr. and Mrs. William Struble Dr. and Mrs. William Studt Mr. Christopher Sullivan Mr. and Mrs. James Sullivan Mr. Mike Surak Kent and Patricia Swan Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Switick Sylvester’s Seafood Restaurant Andrew Talone, Jr. and Christine Talone Mr. and Mrs. John Taube Ms. Carolyn Taylor Philip and Nancy Tedesco The Law Offices of Carol N. Goloff Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Thru Our Eyes Ms. Kelly Tjoumakaris Ms. Christine M. Tomlinson Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Torpey, Jr. Gerard Toscani Mr. and Mrs. John C. Trinkl Mr. and Mrs. Miles Truesdell, Jr. Mr. Chris Tsiouris, Jr. Ms. Delina A. Tumolo Mr. and Mrs. John E. Tunnell Ms. Patricia Turbett Mr. Bob Turkelson Mr. Gary Turner Dr. and Mrs. Charles Valentine Mr. and Mrs. Richard Vance Mr. and Mrs. Michael Veneziano Verlasso Salmon Mr. Samuel C. Vrooman Ms. Catherine Ann Wagner Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Waldner

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 http://wetlandsinstitute.org/about-us/sustainability/ for more on our sustainability initiatives.

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PLAN FOR THE FUTURE Programatic Underwriting The Wetlands Institute is grateful to the many passionate donors who financially support our mission each year.

Unrestricted gifts allow us to do our vital work. Gifts to our annual appeals, general contributions and membership dues are critical for the operation of the Institute and allow us the flexibility to respond to ongoing needs and provide meaningful and impactful research and conservation efforts and excellent educational programming for free or a nominal fee.

SEAS School Program

Other donors believe that their support would be best used for a specific program or project. We are especially grateful to the following donors who invested in specific programs and projects.

The Delaware Bay is home to the world’s largest spawning population of horseshoe crabs and their eggs supply fuel for migrating shorebirds. With numbers drastically reduced, conservation of this remarkable species is critical. Your support will go to our impactful outreach and volunteer conservation programs.

Connie Dent, Anne Gundry, Jane Dent and Evelyn Rider have all helped to sponsor the Coastal Conservation Research Intern Program providing much needed support for the 2015 undergraduate research summer interns. We are still in need of support to fully fund this program, as well as the environmental education intern program.

Bob and Sally Herd know how difficult and important it is to fund maintenance of the physical facilities of the Institute.

We thank them for their annual support!

Jennifer and Ken Ziegler and Anne Galli support the Joe Jacobs Fund established in honor of Jennifer’s father, a renowned ornithologist that pioneered work on osprey platforms and whose work is credited with helping bring the majestic bird back to our marshes. Their generosity supports the avian research and conservation program and has been critical to the growth and development of this key area for the Institute.

Programmatic funding opportunities are many and varied and allow donors to see the immediate impact of their gift.

If you are interested in directing your giving to a high impact project, please consider the following:

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The SEAS (Science Education at Sea) Program is conducted entirely on a boat with hands-on activities for all students. Unfortunately, boat charter fees raise the cost of the program and prohibit some schools from participating. Sponsor a class or help us purchase underwater equipment to expand and diversify this important program.

Horseshoe Crab Conservation

Diamondback Terrapin Conservation Each year, The Wetlands Institute staff and volunteers work to conserve diamondback terrapins by protecting them on our roadways and in the marshes. This work is a major undertaking of the Institute that requires substantial internal funding. Help us continue this critical conservation work that has been at the core of the Institute’s conservation programs for so long.

Your support will be used to purchase materials and supplies and to support the many projects we do to protect terrapins.

Capital Improvements Capital repairs and equipment upgrades are mandatory every year, especially for our wooden building situated in the harsh marsh environment. In 2015, the Institute needs to repair our iconic tower, replace the awning that covers the Wetlandia Deck for school and summer nature programs, and make repairs to the salt water pumping station that supports the aquarium.

Corporate Sponsors The Wetlands Institute would like to thank our Corporate sponsors for their support in 2014.

Archer & Greiner, PC Atlantic Capes Fisheries, Inc. Atlantic City Electric Atlanticare Regional Medical Center Avalon Flooring Burke Motor Group Cape Bank Charitable Foundation Fitzpatrick, Bongiovanni & Kelly, PC Hays Sheet Metal, Inc. Holman Automotive Group Inc. Kindle Ford Mercury Lincoln, Inc. The Lomax Consulting Group Lucky Bones Backwater Grille PSEG Services Corporation Rental City South Jersey Industries Sturdy Savings Bank Subaru of America, Inc Washington Inn Corporate giving helps us to continue our impactful programs that are making a measurable difference in the coastal ecosystems that we all cherish.

For more information about Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities, contact Heather Gee at 609-368-1211.

Fiscal Year 2014 Financial Report

(1/1/2014 – 12/31/2014)

The Wetlands Institute grows and flourishes through the generous support of our members and donors. We take great care in stewarding your gifts wisely and directing gifts to impactful projects and programs.

1%

2%

2014 was another exceptional year. Operational expenditures totaled $1,332,298, an 8% increase from 2013. This increase is from a combination of expenses to meet new compliance regulations and unreimbursed construction costs related to Hurricane Sandy. Hurricane Sandy rebuilding expenditures for 2014 totaled nearly $415,000.

To date, we have only been partially reimbursed by FEMA and have struggled to manage this budget stress.

Our staff are dedicated to providing beneficial and engaging research, conservation and education programs and are working to solve complex issues facing our coastal and wetland environments. New externally funded grants in both Education and Research and Conservation are diversifying revenues and will be important assets to the future health and sustainability of The Wetlands Institute.

As we close yet another transformational year, thank you for being a part of the bright future and for enabling us to Make No Small Plans!

10%

6%

36%

84%

Over the past 2 years, the Institute has undertaken a major growth, development, and revitalization plan. The progress we have made has been remarkable and is largely due to the amazing and unwavering support of our donors. The Trustees embraced an aggressive plan to professionalize staff, diversify programs, and rebuild Hurricane damaged facilities. This Plan for the Future increased expenses as an investment in tomorrow.

With the close of 2014, we are happy to report that revenues continue to increase and since 2009, we have seen an increase of more than 28% in revenues. We have continued to enhance administrative efficiencies and reduce fund-raising costs. We have completed the rebuilding of Hurricane damaged infrastructure and the dock and walkway are key catalysts supporting research and education programs.

FY2014 Expenditures

FY2014 Revenues

61%

Contract/Grants Gifts / Memberships Program Income Invested Funds

$24,838 $730,432 $427,412 $13,332

Total Revenues

$1,196,014

Programs Development Administrative

Total Expenditures

$1,124,140 $75,854 $132,303

$1,332,298

Annual Operating Revenues and Expenditures, 2009-2014 $1,400,000 Revenues

Expenditures

$1,200,000 $1,000,000 $800,000 $600,000 $400,000 $200,000 $-

FY2009

FY2010

FY2011

FY2012

FY2013

FY2014

*FY2014 reported financials are pending final audit.

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The Wetlands Institute

wetlandsinstitute.org • 609.368.1211 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd Stone Harbor, NJ 08247

A non-profit organization studying, preserving and protecting wetlands and coastal ecosystems