The Wetlands Institute's 2013 Annual Report

2013

Annual Report

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

About Us The Wetlands Institute is a not-for-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 those 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. Since her arrival, the Institute has initiated several new projects and programs focused on coastal and wetlands conservation including horseshoe crab and shorebird habitat restoration programs, a marine debris program, and wading bird and songbird habitat restoration. Under her leadership, the Institute has rebuilt and upgraded several key facilities to better serve developing programs to achieve excellence in research, conservation and education.

She 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 Indiana-Purdue 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 55 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. In 2013, she was part of a collaborative partnership working to restore critical shorebird and horseshoe crab habitat on the Delaware Bayshore following Hurricane Sandy.

Message from Dr. Tedesco It is an exciting time to be a friend and supporter of The Wetlands Institute. Every day brings new challenges, accomplishments and growth. We have achieved so many amazing milestones since my arrival two years ago. 2013 was a year of great transformation, when the fruits of the planning and analysis initiated in 2012 began to emerge.

I am excited to come to work every day and take on the next great challenge. We have built an incredible staff of engaged, energetic, professionals that are enhancing programs, discovering remarkable facts, and launching initiatives that will steward our wetland and coastal habitats and their inhabitants for years to come. We have improved efficiencies and are now looking at the entire organization through a lens of excellence that focuses on putting gifts and donations to work directly on our programs.

Every day I am reminded of the importance of our work. Whether it is a note I receive from a donor thanking us for the new energy, a former intern telling us about the new opportunity they have because of their experience here, a student on a SEAS trip letting us know he now wants to major in marine biology, or the simple delights of a child that was able to release an orphaned terrapin back to the wild – these are powerful reminders of why we are here and why what we do is so important.

Providing these engaging experiences for you to be part of positive change, to share in our accomplishments, and to be part of the great transformation of The Wetlands Institute, is the key to our success. We are Making No Small Plans and because of you, our supporters, we are well on our way!

This report summarizes our year and helps set the stage for our plans for 2014. I hope you will join us as we continue to build an amazing future.

Lenore Tedesco, PhD 3

Hurricane Recovery

Hurricane Sandy was devastating, but provided amazing opportunities to rebuild and improve our capabilities.

The response to our call for help to rebuild the dock was truly amazing. We received 317 gifts totaling $47,467 from donors and friends which included a $15,000 gift from the McLean Contributionship. Thanks to your generosity combined with a FEMA Disaster Assistance Grant, the dock is paid in full. The 130 foot long dock is higher and is constructed of all new non-polluting materials. Its railing system has two heights providing safe and great views for children. We have boat slips for our two research boats and an area for the Skimmer to dock. Gates provide access to water-monitoring research equipment that will be installed in the spring. A new submerged pump has the pumping facility back on line. Special thanks to all the consultants, engineers, attorneys, and construction crews for the extensive work to get the project designed, permitted and constructed.

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Aftermath of Sandy

Demise of the Dock

Elevated Walkway Our next big effort is underway. The elevated boardwalk, with new research and education stations is under construction. The new 720 foot long walkway will allow visitors unparalleled access to the salt marsh. The grated surface will allow light to reach the marsh surface and a healthy marsh to prosper.

The new walkway dramatically enhances our capabilities for research and education, and is a major undertaking that is part of our Capacity Building Initiative. Our FEMA Disaster grant will cover less than 1/3 of the walkway costs but we embark on this effort to build to be better than before. I hope you will join us in our efforts. If you are interested in helping fund the walkway, please contact us. Opportunities for naming rights are available.

Dawn of the New Dock Example of Walkway Design

Rebuilt Better Than Before

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2013 Highlights •

The Wetlands Institute had more than 20,000 visitors

•

Our membership roster counted more than 1,500 members

•

293 Volunteers donated 4,380 hours of service

Educating and Engaging Through Hands-On Experiences •

We interacted with 1,485 people at community outreach events

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347 children took part in our Summer Nature Program

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1,088 youth experienced our SEAS Program

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2,600 students from 22 schools visited us on Environmental Education Field Trips

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1,800 students participated in a Traveling Environmental Education Program

Terrapin Research and Conservation – By The Numbers

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•

142 terrapins were rescued from roadways

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760 eggs were removed from road killed females

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317 orphaned terrapins hatched from our incubators

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

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57 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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400 storm drains were monitored in South Jersey by 24 volunteers

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764 hatchlings were rescued from storm drains

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We raised 202 Diamondback Terrapins from salvaged eggs with the help of Stockton College.

They were later released with the assistance of the public via classroom programs, adoption programs, and community events. Strathmere Fishing and Environmental Club, Stone Harbor Kindergarten Class, and Adoption Programs helped raise funds to support this program.

Our Staff Leadership: Dr. Lenore Tedesco Executive Director

Dr. Lisa Ferguson

New Faces

2013 was a year of transition and growth. New staff were added in the Research and Conservation Department to diversify programs. The Education Department was revitalized and enhanced with new leadership and educators. We created a marketing and communication department to better engage with the community.

Great new things are happening every day.

Deputy Director of Research & Conservation

Brooke Knapick

Director of Educational Program Development

Bonnie Girard

Director of Finance and Administration

Christine Mattera

Director of Marketing and Communications

Research: Katie Sellers

Conservation Scientist

Brian Williamson

Research Scientist

Education: Kaitlin Gannon

Lisa Ferguson, PhD

Katherine Sellers

Brian Williamson

Deputy Director of Research and Conservation

Conservation Scientist

Research Scientist

Outreach Coordinator

Sue Slotterback

Environmental Educator

Kirby Hoffman

Aquarist/Educator

Administration: Terrie Campbell

Financial Administrative Assistant

Joyce Ferguson Tidepool Shop

Stephanie Stroble

Brooke Knapick

Sue Slotterback

Christine Mattera

Stephanie Stroble

Bob Oberholtzer

Director of Educational Program Development

Environmental Educator

Director of Marketing and Communications

Front Desk Receptionist/ Admissions Coordinator

Front Desk Reception/Admissions Coordinator Maintenance Technician

Charlene Smith Gardener

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Research and Con Farewell Fortunata Last winter, a terrapin we came to know as Fortunata (the ‘lucky’ one) was rescued from an abandoned crab trap by Visiting Scientist Ben Atkinson and The Wetlands Institute staff. Though terrapin remains are sadly a common sight when removing these now-lethal abandonned traps, it was a shock to discover a weak but living terrapin in one recovered trap. With lots of TLC from our staff over the winter, she was ready for her much celebrated return home this summer.

Better Because of You Who knew that when Hurricane Sandy decimated our dock in October 2012, a group of 4th graders from Quinton Township would pitch in to help us rebuild! Mrs. Jane Krajewski’s students sold magnets and posters of Diamondback Terrapins at their school and raised over $600 for The Wetlands Institute dock! After presenting us with their check, the class got to release terrapins they raised over the winter in their classroom, back to the marsh. It was a win for The Wetlands Institute, a win for Mrs. Krajewski’s class, and a win for the terrapins!

Disney Supports Terrapin Conservation For the third consecutive year, The Wetlands Institute was awarded a grant from the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund to support our Diamondback Terrapin conservation work. One such project – Our Terrapin Storm Drain Rescue Project – relies on help of community members to check storm drains in their neighborhoods. Baby terrapins become trapped in the drains when they walk along the roads on their way from their nest to the marsh and are lucky to have a group of dedicated volunteers to help them out. In 2013, volunteers rescued 764 hatchlings from storm drains.

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nservation Projects It’s for the Birds!

Hours of sweat and determination are making

Before

a difference – we are clearing out the invasive vegetation and making room for the birds. In

After

cooperation with the Borough of Stone Harbor and the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary Committee, Institute staff, volunteers, and local landscaping companies joined forces this fall to continue efforts to restore the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary. Stop by for a walk on the trails and enjoy the results!

reTURN the Favor Horseshoe Crabs may be hearty creatures of the sea but they are not equipped for spending a day at the beach on their backs. Many volunteers and partners helped to turn over nearly 2000 crabs left stranded on our beaches this spring. This was done as part of a new horseshoe crab rescue program, “reTURN the Favor”. For more information about this program and how you can help, visit reTURNtheFavorNJ.org

Cleaning Up! Monofilament fishing line and other forms of litter can sometimes make its way into our local marine environment either through neglect or by accident. With the help of dedicated volunteers, The Wetlands Institute has installed 14 monofilament recycling stations at popular fishing locations in south Jersey and led 2 beach clean-ups in partnership with Clean Ocean Action and the Borough of Stone Harbor.

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We Beat the Clock Hours after Hurricane Sandy impacted our area, a group of partner organizations mobilized to address the storms devastation. More than 23,000 cubic yards of sand was deposited and 48 tons of rubble removed to restore four Delaware Bay beaches that are critically important for Horseshoe Crab spawning and shorebird foraging. Through the incredible cooperation of federal, state, county, township, and institutional organizations the beaches were restored in time for the horseshoe crab spawning season.

Close Encounters Our 1st Annual Spring Shorebird and Horseshoe Crab Festival was full of memorable events – horseshoe crab tagging, guest lectures, and guided shorebird viewing to name a few. A special highlight for many who attended was the opportunity to get a close view of the Delaware Bay Shorebird Project’s research team in action as they trapped and banded migratory shorebirds. Shorebird experts from around the globe led our festival attendees through the details of their work, and some guests even had the chance to hold, measure, and release a shorebird, including the state endangered Red Knot. Our 2nd annual festival will be May 17 and 18, 2014.

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Photo by Geoff Coe, Wildimagesfla.com

Junior Volunteer Story:

Dr. Mark Logan: Citizen Conservationist

James McGivern James’s history with The Wetlands Institute started when he was only 5 years old attending our week-long summer nature programs. He would attend year after year catching fiddler crabs, picking pickle grass, exploring and learning about our beautiful wetlands and coastal beaches. As a result of his continued exposure to the wetlands, James became interested in volunteering at The Wetlands Institute once he reached high

Mark Logan D.V.M. was presented with the Institute’s

school. Since then, James has been one of our most loyal,

2013 Citizen Conservationist Award for his nearly 30

experienced, and well-rounded volunteers. He has supported

years of contributions to the Diamondback Terrapin

projects and programs within all departments including working

Conservation Project. Dr. Logan has repaired

with children in our Summer Nature Programs, aquarium care and

fractured shells of over 1000 turtles, a process

maintenance, and assisting with our research and conservation initiatives.

that can take more than an hour for each patient,

This past summer, James took a more advanced volunteering role at The Wetlands

so they can be released to resume life as a wild

Institute. He volunteered over 80 hours working with our education, research

terrapin. Dr. Logan has been an important partner

and conservation teams. James assisted education by working in the aquarium.

to the Institute, and we were pleased to recognize

Alongside our aquarist, James was responsible for feeding the animals, cleaning

his contributions to terrapin conservation.

display tanks and testing tank water quality, collecting food and troubleshooting equipment failures.

While working with our research and conservation team,

James contributed to our Diamondback Terrapin conservation project by assisting research scientists with data entry and the tagging of terrapins for a mark, release,

Looking for a Way to Share Your Talents?

and recapture study. He also assisted with our monofilament recycling project by

The Wetlands Institute is always looking for new volunteers to help us achieve

independently constructing five receptacles for installation at public and private fishing locations throughout Cape May County.

We can see James has a passion for learning, especially in the field of biology and conservation. He is currently applying to colleges and universities all around the country looking to continue to pursue his passion for conservation biology.

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 Undergraduate interns in the Coastal Conservation Research Program conducted impressive projects ranging from the saltmarsh to the beach.

Brianna Lowey (Haverford College) Brianna measured tidal influx of surface water on the Institute’s property in relation to tide gauge data to establish patterns of biologically significant flooding events.

Jennifer Teson (Millersville University of Pennsylvania) Jennifer explored escape behavior of Diamondback Terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) in crab traps to address the issue of biodegradable panel placement.

Jillena Yeager (The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey) Jillena examined salvaged eggs and developing follicles from road-killed terrapins to better understand the reproductive potential of females of varying body size.

There were two interesting studies of infauna along beaches in Avalon, Stone Harbor, and North Cape May:

Alexandra Kontra (Hamilton College) Alexandra studied how mole crab (Emerita talpoida) populations vary with beach characteristics including location and moisture content of beach sand.

Sarah Zollner (Boston University) Sarah examined the relationship between burrow density of ghost crabs (Ocypode quadrata) and beach raking and refilling, among other factors.

The Coastal Conservation Research Program Interns presented the results of their individual research projects at this year’s Intern Symposium on August 5, 2013 and some plan to present their findings at professional scientific meetings in 2014.

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Summer Environmental Education Internships This past summer, as Environmental Education Interns, Elizabeth Rizzo, Jill Burgy, Kimberly Bullock, and Zachary Schober were responsible for leading all public programs including Salt Marsh Safaris, Creature Features, Catch ‘o the Day, Aquarium Feedings, Kayak Tours, and Hooked on Fishing programs, just to name a few! In efforts to enhance their internship experience, they were asked to develop and implement an education project of their choosing that was personally and/or institutionally beneficial. The development of these individual projects assisted them in honing skill sets that are essential to creating fundamentally successful programs or initiatives within the field of environmental education.

The Environmental Education Interns presented their projects at this year’s Intern Symposium on August 5, 2013.

Elizabeth Rizzo: Revamping

Jill Burgy: Wetlands: Creating,

Kimberly Bullock: Child

Zachary Schober:

Public Programs: Creating a Resource for a Naturalist Intern

Educating and Evaluating Environmental Sustainability

Exploration: A Simple Look at Complex Science

Interactive Trail Mapping at The Wetlands Institute

One of the most popular programs

Sustainability is a word that we hear

How do you get a 4-year-old child

Education about wetlands is vital to the

offered at The Wetlands Institute

frequently in our communities these

attending Summer Nature Programs

ecosystem’s survival. Many people are

are Creature Features.

Each day,

days. Setting out to re-evaluate, improve

to understand the term Echinoderm?

not able to physically visit The Wetlands

a new creature is highlighted and

and expand on the sustainable efforts

As an Environmental Studies and

Institute and witness its beauty first hand.

families often return daily to learn

of The Wetlands Institute were a few

Education major, Kimberly is always

For his project, Zach utilized Google

exciting facts about each species.

of the main objectives that Jill wanted

excited about translating complex

Maps to create a virtual tour of The

Elizabeth’s project had three different

to complete with her project.

environmental concepts to children.

Wetlands Institute’s Salt Marsh Trail.

components: rewriting and editing

wanted to find a common understanding

For

she

This interactive tour is readily accessible

the Creature Feature Compendium,

between factors that intrigue and excite

created themed lesson plans with

to anyone with internet access via

organizing

and

the public and develop these in a way to

hands-on activities and crafts and

computer, phone or hand-held device

education tools, and creating a new

create a better portrayal of sustainability

compiled a master binder of best

and includes on-site photos, interpretive

Creature Feature presentation based

and the role that the individual public

practices for future Summer Nature

videos, learning questions and even an

on the popular movie Finding Nemo.

plays in supporting our overall efforts.

Program Instructors to utilize when

appearance from Scute, The Wetland

educating this age group.

Institute’s Diamondback Terrapin mascot.

the

prop

bins

She

three

different

weeks,

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Education SEAS the Day! One of the highlights during the Science Education at Sea (SEAS) Program is using the trawl net to collect live marine specimens which will later be released. This year, the SEAS program had some record breaking and first time catches including a 3 foot, 30-40 pound black drum, a 24.5 inch fluke, a 4 foot dogfish and a juvenile glass eel! Listed among the other notable catches are moon snails, mantis shrimp, baby squid and lizard fish. All of these catches provide numerous opportunities for our SEAS instructors to teach and inspire the students on board the vessel. This year, a local high school senior from Middletown High School had such an unforgettable experience that he now plans to pursue a minor in Marine Science along with his intended Environmental Science degree. He even went so far as to inquire about interning at The Wetlands Institute just days after the SEAS trip. We hope to see his application for our Environmental Education or Coastal Research and Conservation Program internship in the near future!

The SEAS program was an amazing experience and one of the best, most influential field trips I’ve ever gone on. Thank you for that experience!

- Middletown HS Senior

Scholarship Program We know how important it is for children to interact with nature and learn about the environment around them, but we also recognize the challenge school districts face when allocating funds for field trips. With that in mind, The Wetlands Institute launched our new scholarship program which provides schools with an all-expense-paid Environmental Education Field Trip Program or Science Education at Sea (SEAS) Program! This scholarship program has been made possible through generous donations received during the Wings ‘N Water Benefit Auction. To all those who Raised Your Book in support, we thank you!

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Programs

In the Aquarium Babies, Babies Much to everyone’s surprise this past winter, our resident octopus Ocho laid between 300,000 and 500,000 eggs in a small rock cavity in her tank! Over the next few weeks, without eating, sleeping or leaving the nest, she went on to nurture and care for her eggs until all of them successfully hatched. After the last eggs hatched, she had truly reached the culmination of her life. While we were sad to see Ocho pass, this experience was a wonderful teachable moment that few have the opportunity to witness first-hand.

A much more planned arrival occurred this past summer when thousands of tiny horseshoe crabs hatched in Terrapin Station.

Hatched on-site from eggs locally collected as part of our permitted reasearch, our summer visitors were able to watch these eggs develop, grow and eventually hatch into tiny horseshoe crabs no bigger than a pencil eraser. After their fourth molt, these horseshoe crabs were ready for release and an increased chance at survival in the wild.

During two public releases, dozens of adults and children were present to wish them a safe journey!

These events inspired many families to visit The Wetlands Institute, but inspiration comes in all forms – from seeing a picture of a moon snail on Facebook to throwing a cast net into the water with our Aquarist or to finding a strange object on the beach that sparks a question of wonder. We at The Wetlands Institute hope to continue to inspire many future visits to the aquarium and Terrapin Station in the coming years!

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Home of the New Jersey Junior Duck Stamp Program There were 208 wonderful works of art submitted

Discover Buried Treasures with Captain Cacheguy and Scute Rebuilding the NEHST!

for judging in this year’s contest in June. For New

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Geocaching, Earthcaching, Educaching, and Letterboxing are all exciting treasure hunt games with game boards as

Jersey’s Best of Show, the judges chose a beautiful

The Nature Education for Homeschool Students

big as the Earth itself. This summer, there was a five

watercolor and acrylic rendering of a Red-Breasted

and Teachers (NEHST) program has ‘branched out’

stage multi-cache called Discover the Wetlands Institute

Merganser painted by June Lee, a young lady from

towards a new line up of topics for the 2013-2014

hidden on The Wetlands Institute property. The cache is

Tenafly. Her poignant conservation message was

school year including special themes, family field

very well planned and very tricky to find - only two cachers

“The most important goal is to uphold the greatness

trips and student workshops. While participating

have been successful so far! The person responsible for

of life and once again preserve nature’s jewel.” While

in lessons on local habitats, birds, observation

this cache is a young man named “Captain Cacheguy”.

Miss Lee’s work went on to be judged in the Federal

techniques and watersheds, homeschool students

Having only been Geocaching for two years, he has quite

Junior Duck Stamp contest along with other works

are totally immersed in hands-on exploration. In fact,

an impressive Geocaching career, with 59 caches found

from around the country, the works of New Jersey’s

fortune was smiling on 15 homeschoolers during

and three Trackables logged. Inspired by this young

thirty-six finalists went on exhibit traveling around

their “Salt Marsh in Winter” lesson. While exploring

geocacher’s success, Scute began his own Geocaching

the state to such venues as the Noyes Museum in

the marsh looking for the changes of the season

career this year! In the coming months, Scute will be

Oceanville, Atlantic County; Woodford’s Cedar Run

and signs of wildlife getting ready for winter, our

hiding a few caches on the property and around the

in Medford, Burlington County; Kateri Environmental

homeschoolers were lucky enough to come across

island for all to find. There will be simple ‘cache and

Education Center in Monmouth County; and the

a Northern Diamondback Terrapin burrowing in the

dash’, an Earthcache and Letterbox, and perhaps even

Bayshore Center at Bivalve in Cumberland County.

mud and preparing for the winter hibernation!

a Travel Bug or two.

Featured Environmental Education Field Trip Program This past autumn, The Wetlands Institute began offering Featured Environmental Education Field Trip Programs for students in grades K-12. Similar to our traditional field trip programs, these featured programs emphasize hands-on learning and the scientific method, but change seasonally and are thematically related to the current phenological changes occurring in our area. This autumn’s programs focused on the seasonal phenomena of migration. While many types of migrating species were mentioned throughout the programs, raptors and monarch butterflies were the main focus. Students engaged in games and role-playing activities learning about the trials and tribulations along the migration path, the adaptations needed for migrating, the importance of healthy habitats along the migration routes, and what happens to those animals who stay in New Jersey throughout the cold winter months.

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Monarch Rearing and Tagging

Summer Nature Program

From mid-August through mid-September over 115 monarch eggs

This year’s Summer Nature Program was a resounding success with close

and caterpillars were collected from several backyard habitat

to 350 children ages 4 through 12 attending seven weeks of completely

gardens including The Wetlands Institute’s gardens. These eggs and

redesigned fun in the sun. During these weeks the children participated in

caterpillars were brought in and raised in our labs where they were free

a variety of hands-on activities that challenged what they knew, stretched

from predators and provided with ample amounts of fresh milkweed

their imaginations, and immersed them in new experiences.

every day. As the Institute’s monarchs eclosed from their chrysalis they were tagged with small disc tags from Monarch Watch as part

Explore the Shore, Titanoboa to Terrapins, and Creation Nation were

of the Cape May Monarch Monitoring Project (MMP). For the past

the three most popular themes. Children compared the substrates and

twenty-two years the MMP has been tagging monarchs, conducting

inhabitants of the ‘shores’ at the Delaware Bay, the ocean beach at Stone

a daily census of monarchs, and presenting tagging demonstrations.

Harbor Point, the tidal creek edges at the Institute, as well as Lake Nummy in Belleplain State Forest, where the children also got to tryout underwater

Of the 115 monarchs collected by The Wetlands Institute, 69 were

Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). They visited the reptile house at

released as part of our new Featured Environmental Education Field

the Cape May Park and Zoo, toured The Wetland Institute’s research lab,

Trip Program, during The Wetlands Institute’s public programming,

talked with research interns about terrapin research, and made a life-size

and some as impromptu tag-and-release for visitors who happened

model of Titanoboa, a forty-nine foot snake which once slithered its way

to be in the right place at the right time. The remaining monarchs

through the Colombian swamps of South America. They even ‘rescued’ a

were raised in the classroom and released by local teachers from the

‘dolphin’ found ‘stranded’ on the Institute’s front lawn! The summer ended

Monarch Teacher Network.

with a flurry of creativity while the children made seed paper, learned about fish anatomy through Gyotaku (the ancient art of printing) with real fish, and created Andy Goldsworthy-style land art in The Wetlands Institute’s marsh.

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Board of Trustees

A Word From Board Chairman, Ray Burke

• Raymond M. Burke, Chairman – President, Burke Motor Group

– Director, Sturdy Savings Bank – Director, NJ Economic Development Authority • 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 & Adjunct Professor

– Vice Chair, New Jersey Commission on Environmental Education • Michael Craig – Owner, The Washington Inn • Roberta DeVries – Philadelphia Zoo Travel Planner & Program Coordinator • John Flynn – NJ DEP/Green Acres Program, State Trails Coordinator • Lois Hamilton – Community Volunteer - Chair, Education Committee • C. Lee Harp – Of Counsel, Attorney/Partner, Archer & Greiner • Dorothy Ives-Dewey, Ph.D. – Professor of Geography and Planning, West Chester University

- Chair, Research and Conservation Committee • Daniel Kelm, 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

– Retired Attorney, formerly Managing Owner of Harvey, Pennington, LTD • Henry E. Schellenger – Chair, Finance Committee

- President/CEO, DelWeb LLC – Project Director, CR&D

On behalf of every member of our organization’s Board of Trustees I want to thank and congratulate Dr. Tedesco and her team on the exceptional effort they have put forth. The organization is well established but it has been re-invented in the most fundamental sense and it is truly new.”

There is so much excitement and such a prevailing sense of possibility.

The work that is being done is important and it is universally recognized as such. Under the exceptional leadership of Dr. Lenore Tedesco, The Wetlands Institute has achieved global recognition and the superb staff she has assembled is moving the organization forward at a stunning pace.

I wish to extend my deepest appreciation to all of the donors and supporters who have joined us in this adventure. You are the fuel driving the engine of progress at the Institute and every inch of that progress should be viewed as your own.

Best Regards, Ray Burke Chairman of the Board

Donors $100,000 and up Laura Hare Charitable Trust

$25,000 to $99,999 Mr. and Mrs. James Summers Mr. and Mrs. Harold Yoh, Jr.

$10,000 to $24,999 Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Burke, III The McLean Contributionship Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Roach Hank and Julie Schellenger Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth B. Zeigler

$5,000 to $9,999 James Donohue and Carol Mager Anne Galli Glenmede Trust Company Mr. and Mrs. Barry Hamilton Mr. and Mrs. C. Lee Harp Mr. and Mrs. J. Robert Herd Mrs. Mary Millar Mr. and Mrs. James D. Miller PA Lumbermens Mutual Ins. Co Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Roach

$2,500 to $4,999 Mr. Bill Craft Dr. Constance P. Dent EarthShare New Jersey Mr. and Mrs. Julian Miraglia Ms. Jane Rakestraw Mr. and Mrs. G. Wayne Renneisen Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Williams Betsy and Tom Wriggins

$1,000 to $2,499 AM Resorts Ms. Lisa Bice

Ms. Beverly Cassidy Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Colalillo The Diving Horse Restaurant Mr. Dennis T. Dutton Mrs. Barbara R. Eckhardt Eden Charitable Foundation Mr. Jay W. Eisenhofer Family Foundation Therese Esperdy and Robert Neborak Sherry Flippen Foster-Karney Foundation Fund Mr. and Mrs. Cameron Fowler Friends of Cape May Ntl. Wildlife Refuge Ms. Joan Galli Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Georganna Dr. Ann T. Gundry Mr. and Mrs. Greg Hamilton Harbor Outfitters Mr. Anthony Hillman Howard County Bird Club Mr. and Mrs. Terrence Ives Mr. Joseph Jehl Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Jones, Jr. Drs. George and Lisa Kenis Mr. and Mrs. William Kronenberg Ms. Kathleen Larkin Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mallon Mr. and Mrs. John Mazzo Mr. and Mrs. William McMahon Merck Partnership for Giving Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Moceri Mrs. L. H. Moretzsohn New Jersey Aquarium, LLC Leonard Pfeiffer, IV and Ms. Anna Gunnarsson Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts Prog.

The Phillies Mr. and Mrs. James J. Poliero Mr. and Mrs. James Quinn Mr. and Mrs. Gregg B. Reich

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Rice The Thomas Rosato Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Sandmeyer Seashore Ace Ms. Catherine Shamlian Steen Outdoor Advertising Stone Harbor Golf Club Strathmere Fishing & Environment Club Ms.Karen E. Welke Mr. and Mrs. Philip Welsh Yacht Club Of Stone Harbor

$500 to $999 Mr. Paul R. Barbin Barrier Island Quilters Ms. Debbie Berrett Blooms Flowers Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Branda, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. William C. Buck Mrs. Audrey Buckingham CA, Inc. Matching Gifts Program Captain Planet Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Richard Clark Mrs. Paula Cooper Mr. and Mrs. Benton Crisman Mr. and Mrs. Carl and Carol Cutler Mr. and Mrs. John Dewey and Family Mr. John DiMaio Mr. and Mrs. Louis Eni Mr. and Mrs. Ritson Ferguson Dr. Loretta Finnegan Fishermen’s Energy, LLC Fitzpatrick, Bongiovanni and Kelly, PC Mrs. Alfred M. Frank Fred’s Tavern Liquor Store David and Kelly Gilbert Beth Glynn The Hall Foundation Ms. Graysha K. Harris

Ms. Mary Louise Hartman Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hays Mr. and Mrs. Coleman Henry Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. Hill, III Mr. and Mrs. E. Richard Irrgang Johnson & Johnson Matching Gifts Prog.

Gary and Pamela Kern Mr. and Mrs. Fredrick J. Killmeyer Estate of Carolyn and James Kilsdonk Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey L. King Mr. and Mrs. Larry Kravet Mr. and Mrs. William H. Lamb Ms. Carol D. Lane Ms. Kristin Long Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Majka Mr. and Mrs. Joseph G. Mattos Mr. and Mrs. William E. McCracken Mrs. Mary Jo McDermott Christina and Jon Miller Mr. David P. Montgomery Moore Brothers Wine Company Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Osberg Paolini Dermatology and Medical Spa Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Parker Mr. Steven B. Pfeiffer Ms. Diane Quinn Quinton Township Board of Education Rental City Mrs. Nancy Roberts Ms. Victoria D. Rosskam Dr. and Mrs. Herman Saatkamp Mr. Rodney Sandmeyer Mr. Greg Stahl Mrs. Glenna G. Stewart Ms. Lisa Stiles Dr. Lenore Tedesco and Ms. Nancy Fribley Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Ms. Elaine Watson Wild Images Florida 21

Donors Laura J. Wilson and Mr. Mark Menting Dr. and Mrs. A. F. Wood Mr. and Mrs. Ronald L. Workman

$250 to $499 Mr. and Mrs. Harry Allex Lee and Jim Amigh Mrs. Lee Arning Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Asher Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Atkinson Atlantic Telecom Mr. and Mrs. Peter Ault Avalon Yacht Club Ms. Carrie Bell Mr. and Mrs. John Berrigan Andrew Bilotta Ralph and Betsy Boerner Mr. and Mrs. William Bowen Ms. Kim Boylan Mr. and Mrs. Darryl A. Breniser Dr. and Mrs. Christopher Brown Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Bugden Café Loren Cape May Winery Dr. Gregory Carolan Mr. and Mrs. Mario Carsello Meredith and Steve Cheryba Mr. Matthew Coler Concord Suites and Concord Café Ms. Susan Conner Mrs. Margaret Corson and Family Dr. and Mrs. John D. Cuthbert Mr. and Mrs. Philip Dahlen Mr. Bill Davis and Family Dr. and Mrs. Robert M. Davis Ms. Joanna Della Valle Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Denny Mr. and Mrs. John B. DeVries The Disdier Family Mrs. Joann English 22

Mr. and Mrs. Michael T. English Exit Zero Mr. and Mrs. Lewis E. Ferguson Dr. and Mrs. J. Alan Ferner Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Fitzpatrick Mr. John Flynn Ms. Wendy Lee Garthwaite Griffiths Construction Inc. Chris and Kathleen Gubanich Mr. and Mrs. Edward H. Hanway Mr. Robert Harbison Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. Henahan Mr. and Mrs. Charles Heuisler Hodges Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. John Holt Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hoplamazian, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Edward K. Hueber Mr. Timothy Hughes Ms. Deborah S. Hunter IBM International Foundation Jay’s On Third Everett Cassel and Siney Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Henry Justi Ms. Linda Keil Ms. Dona D. Kemling Mr. William Klimashousky Mr. and Mrs. William J. Koehl, Jr. Ms. Helen Kushla Ms. Anita M. LaPlaca Mr. Larry P. Laubach Ms. Jennifer Lavin Mr. and Mrs. Charles Q. Livingston Rep. and Mrs. Frank A. LoBiondo Mr. and Mrs. Bob Long Ms. Stephanie Low Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mattise Ms. Andrea McGeary Dr. Mari M. McLean and Ann W. James Ms. Lisa McNichol

Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Metz Mr. and Mrs. Hugo Monformoso Mr. Hector Negroni Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Nicholson Mr. and Mrs. John Owens Mr. and Mrs. Davis Pearson Captain Kenneth Pero, Jr. and Family Pete Smith’s Surf Shop Mr. Anthony Petrick Mr. Richard O. Pike Mr. and Mrs. Seymour S. Preston, III Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Richmond Ms. Elizabeth Rita Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Robinowitz Ms. Sharon Rothwell Ms. Elizabeth Schellenger Mr. and Mrs. Robert Scott Mr. and Mrs. John J. Sideravage John and Patricia Staley Mr. John K. Stoner, Jr. Summer House Design Group Mr. and Mrs. Roy Tedesco Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Sherry Tomlinson, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Toolen Mr. and Mrs. John C. Trinkl Mr. and Mrs. John E. Tunnell Mr. John Vanderslice Dan and Laura Very and Family Herman C. Voellm and Family Mr. and Mrs. Bud Waisbren Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Walck Ms Helen J. Wallace Mr. and Mrs. Charles Walsh Dr. and Mrs. Michael K. Weed Mr. Larry A. Wehr Mr. and Mrs. Tedor Whitman Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Willis Ms. Janice Zimmerman

Mr. and Mrs. Louis J. Zucca, Jr.

$100 to $249

Mr. and Mrs. Richard P. Adams Ms. Nedra Adelizzi Mr. and Mrs. James Agger, Sr. Steve and Susan Ahern Air Products Matching gifts Program Mr. and Mrs. David E. Albrecht, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Althoff Mr. Robert S. Aronds Mr. and Mrs. David Atkinson Atlantic Capes Fisheries Inc. Avalon Golf Club Avenues to Independent Living Mr. Bill Barber Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bartke Ms. Jacqueline S. Basile Mr. and Mrs. Jack Begley Mrs. Whitney Benedetto Ms. Ann E. Benjey Mr. Alexander Berol Mr. F. Ralph Bingemann, Jr. Mr. Wally Bishop Ms. Lisa Black Mr. Andrew R. Blair Blue Pig Tavern Mr. Brian Borak Ms. Julia Borrelli Lynn Bowlby Mr. Raymond Brace Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Brandstetter Ms. Adrienne Brenner Que and Joan Bronson Chris Brown Mrs. John H. Brown, Jr. Ms. Margot Brubaker Dr. James Brunn Mrs. Harriet Burg Ms. Deborah E. Burke

Donors Mrs. Barbara Burton-Sharp Christopher and Patricia Buziak Butch and Sue Byer Ms. Elizabeth A Cain Mr. and Mrs. William T. Campbell, Jr. Cape May National Golf Club Mrs. Laura Capobianco Mr. William J. Carney Ms. Lisa Carrick Ms. Joanne Carrocino Mr. and Mrs. Stanley J. Casper Ms. Lorraine Cassidy 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 Mr. Charles Clarke, Jr. Anne and Joe Clayton Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Cloetingh Mrs. Neil Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Frederick L. Cole, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Dennis J. Colgan, Jr. Patty Combs Beauty Salon Ms. Janice Connell Mr. John Connor Mr. and Mrs. Edward M. Conover, Jr. Ms. Dana Cronin Ms. Elizabeth Crowley Mr. and Mrs. Paul Daggett Mr. and Mrs. William Dahms Mr. and Mrs. Doug Davidson, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. James W. Davis Mr. Robert T. DeGavre Dermatology for Animals, P.C. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Devery Dr. and Mrs. Edward Dillon Ms. Margaret B. Diskin Ms. Mary S. Doherty

Mr. Joe Dolcini Donna’s Place Mr. John Dorsey Ms. Bernadette W. Doubek Mrs. Janet Dougherty Ms. Barbara Driscoll Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Duzinski Ms. Allison G. Dykes Ebbitt Room/Virginia Hotel Mr. Lee F. Eberly Ms. Judith A. Ehlerman Mr. Jonathan Eisenhamer Mrs. Azalea Ellis Mrs. Mary Anne Ellmer Terry and Mike English Mr. William M. Eyster Mr. Paul Fahey John H. Fahnestock and Martha Heller Ms. Elaine K. Faulkner Dr. Lisa Ferguson Donna Ferraioli Ms. Susan Fiori Ms. Hope Flammer and Mr. Jay Shaffer Alan M. Ford and Elaine M. Braccio Mr. James Ford Mrs. Jane Foster Mr. and Mrs. John W. Fowler, Jr. Fuze Restaurant and Mirage Lounge Fuze Italian Restaurant Mr. Anthony Galatola Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gallagher Mr. and Mrs. Rob Gannon Garden Greenhouse and Nursery Garrison Printing Company Chris Garvey Mr. John Gaydos and Ms. Dawn Pistilli Ms. Norma Jean Geesey Dr. and Mrs. Gary S. Gehman Ms. Valerie Gehr

Mr. Edward C. Geiger Mr. and Mrs. James Geiling and family The Geisel Family Ms. Catherine Georges Ms. Joann Giangiulio Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Gieg Ms. Katherine Gifford Glenn Insurance GoodSearch Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gorelick Mr. Greg Gougher Mr. Anthony E. Gowen Mr. and Mrs. George Gowen, Jr. Grand Hotel Mr. and Mrs. Barry Grass Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Greenlee Mrs. Patricia B. Greenwood Ms. Amy Gustafson Mr. Christopher Hajduk Ms. Cheryl Halferty Mrs. Joan Halle Mr. and Mrs. John Hallinan Ms. Anne F. Hamilton Garden Club of Stone Harbor Ms. Mary Ann L. Hart Mr. and Mrs. George E. Hassel Steven W. Hepding and Deborah McGough Mr. and Mrs. John J. Herd, II Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Hermans Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Herron Ms. Mary Lou Hesser Mr. and Mrs. Douglas J. Heun Raymond and Tacie Himelright Mr. Tom Hipple Mr. and Mrs. Ray Hober Mr. Peter A. Holter Mr. Tiemann and Virginia Horn Dr. and Mrs. Henry Huffnagle Ms. Holly Hummel

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hunter Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hurley, III Mr. David Hutchings Mr. Thomas F. Hynd Inside Advantage Ms. Mary Lou Ireton Ms. Bonnie Bell Jack Mr. and Mrs. Peter Jespersen Ms. Kelly Jobes Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Johnston Mr.and Mrs. Quincy T. Jones Mr. and Mrs. David M. Junkin Tac and Melinda Justi Douglas Schoener and Ed Kanaovicz Ms. Hazel S. Kavle Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Keightley Ms. Jayne Kelly Mr. and Mrs. Paul Kelly Mr. Peter Kelly and Mrs. Heidi Setz-Kelly Ms. Mary Kay Kennedy Mr. Stephen Kepchar, Jr. Ms. Delores Kerlin and Mr. Ed Exler Mr. and Mrs. James R. Kern Mr. Edward Kicak Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Kilroy Dr. and Mrs. George Kipel Ms. Deborah Kirlin Mr. Adam Klein Mr. and Mrs. Todd Klein Dr. and Mrs. Daniel and Renee Klem Kristin Klingenberg and Thad Merriman Mr. Christopher Kneizys Mr. and Mrs. James J. Koegel Dr. and Mrs. Charles W. Koenig Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Kolff Drs. Jason and Kjersti Koskinen Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Kosloski Ms. Donna Kosteva Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell B. Kowal 23

Donors Mr. and Mrs. David S. Kratz Mr. and Mrs. Larry Kratzer Ms. Linde Kristin Ms. Joyce D. Kunkle Mrs. Jane G. Kurtz Ms. Charlotte Lansinger Mr. and Mrs. Clark Lare Mr. and Mrs. William Lauth Life is Good, Stone Harbor Ms. Nelly K Lincoln Ms. Kate D. Lipman Ms. Kimi Lotz Ms. Margaret Luchtman Mr. and Mrs. Martin Lukacs Mr. Jordan J Lyn Dr. and Mrs. Wilbert Lyons Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. MacFarland Mr. Robert MacNeil Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Madison Ms. Richelle Maestro Mr. Edward Mahler Main Line Protection Services, LLC Mr. and Mrs. James Martin Ms. Elizabeth Martin Mr. and Mrs. Keith Martin Dr. and Mrs. Terry L. Master Mr. and Mrs. Barry Mastrangelo Mr. and Mrs. John Mather Mr. and Mrs. Albert Mathis, Jr. Ajit Mathur Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Matthews Mr. Edward S. May, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Terrence McCabe Ms. Alice McCartney Ms. Diane McCool Mrs. Irene McCullough Mr. and Mrs. William McGarrigle Francis and Esther McGill Mr. Rod McLaughlin 24

Mr. Wallace McMichael Dr. Kathleen W. McNicholas Mr. and Mrs. Robert McQuiston Meadowbank Designs, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Julie Mealo Rich Meenen Ms. Colleen Menz Ms. Eileen Merlin Ms. Arbena Merolli Mr. and Mrs. Allen Meyer Mr. and Mrs. John Michalski Mr. Hal Miller Mr. Richard Miller Mr. Stephen W. Miller Esther and Ralph Milnes Mimi’s Shop Mrs. Carol M. Miner Morey’s Piers Ms. Mildred Morgan Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Morris Ms. Lori Moskowitz Mr. and Mrs. Michael Movsovich Ms. Joan Murdoch Ms. Joan L. Murray Mr. Brian Murray Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Mutzel Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nash Mrs. Cassandra S. Naylor Ms. Christine Neely Mr. Steven O’Connor Mr. Timothy O’Shaughnessy Dr. and Mrs. Robert Owen Ms. Fay Oxenreider Elin Paier Mr. and Mrs. Richard T. Palmerchuck Mr. Dean Pantellere Ms. Elizabeth Papastavros Dr. Helen Pappas Mr. John J. Paris

Mr. and Mrs. Ray Parzych Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Pascuzzi Ms. Jan Pask Ms. Dolores Pekar-Forget Mr. and Mrs. James P. Penders Mr. and Mrs. Charles Penniman The Pennsylvania Trust Company Peter Shields Restaurant Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Phillips, III Mr. and Mrs. Alex Phinn Ms. Tamara Phoebus Ms. Lynn Pohanka Mr. and Mrs. C. John Poliero, Jr. Alice and Ned Powell Mr. and Mrs. Michael Powers Maura and Bob Primus Ms. Jane Prinski Ms. Diana Prokapus Mr. Michael Pron Ms. Janice M. Pruch Mr. and Mrs. William G. Raupp Mr. Joseph Reale Mr. Thomas B. Reddy Mr. and Mrs. Scott Reese Ms. Christie Regan Mr. and Mrs. William A. Remo, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Brian Reynolds Mrs. Barbara Rice Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Joselyn Rich Ms. Evelyn A. Rider Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Riley Mr. William H. Roberts, Jr. Mr. William Robertson Mr. Atlee Robinson Mr. and Mrs. John J. Rodak Ms. Marie R. Roeder Mrs. Beth L. Rogers Mr. Bruce A. Rosenfield Mr. Dennis Ross

John and Ruth Rosser, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Craig Rothman Mr. Philip H. Rowland Ms. Patricia Rowley Mr. and Mrs. William Ruhling Patrick Sahukar and Family Salem County Nature Club Mr. Grant Salstrom Sand Barrens Golf Club Mr. and Mrs. Ferd Sauereisen Mr. James Schellenger Kimberly and Eric Schiela Mr. and Mrs. Kurt S. Schmid Ms. Susan Schmidt Ms. Leslie Schneid Mr. Bob Seaver Karen and Aaron Serfass 7 Mile Island Massage Shades of Stone Harbor Mr. William C. Shafer Mr. Don Shafer Mr. Glenn Shively Shore Gate Golf Club Ms. Heidi Shrawder Mr. and Mrs. Marc Shuster Richard and Joan Shusterman Mr. Douglas Shusterman Ms. Melissa Shusterman Ms. Tamlyn Shusterman Ms. Sandra Slabik Mr. and Mrs. Charles O. Slugg Ms. Eileen A. Smalfus Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Smith Mr. and Mrs. Scott Smith Mr. and Mrs. William and Elizabeth Smith, Jr. Mark and Gilda Smoll Ms. Ann Sonnenfeld Ms. Mary B. Sposito Ms. Allison Stattner

Donors Mr. and Mrs. George Steele Mr. Anthony Stefano Ms. Bernadette Stein Mr. Steven D. Steinour Mr. and Mrs. James H. Stevens, II Rich and Judy Stingle Mr. and Mrs. Ward Stone Stone Harbor Elementary School Mr. Philip K. Stonier Mr. and Mrs. Timothy M. Stout Mr. John Stoviak Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Stroble Suncatcher Surf Shop Mr. Mike Surak Ms. Linda L. Swick Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Switick Mr. and Mrs. Robert Tafel, Jr. Ms. Angel C. Tague Mr. and Mrs. Andrew and Christine Talone, Jr. Jack and Barbara Tarditi Dr. Sue Binkley Tatem Dr. Susan Taylor Ms. Patricia Taylor Mr. and Mrs. Phil Tedesco Mr. Michael L. Templeton Mr. Frank Thalman, Jr. Ms. Kelly Tjoumakaris Ms. Ashley Tobin Ms. Lynne Tomasello Ms. Barbara Tomlin Ms. Christine M. Tomlinson Ms. Mara Toukatly Ms. Ronnie Town Mr. and Mrs. William H. Tozour, Jr. Ms. Delina A. Tumolo Ms. Patricia Turbett Bob Turkelson Dr. and Mrs. Charles Valentine Mr. and Mrs. David Van Niel

Mr. and Mrs. E. Norman Veasey Mr. and Mrs. Michael Veneziano Jean and Bob Vogel Mr. Samuel C. Vrooman Ms. Catherine Ann Wagner Joseph F. and Carol L. Waldner Mrs. Suzanne Walters Mrs. Grace M. Walton Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Deborah Ware Mr. and Mrs. Joe Waterman Ms. Debra Watson Mr. and Mrs. William Webb Mr. Daniel Weeks Ms. Annie Weichman Ms. Sandra Weidner Mr. Ronald A. Weiman Ms. Sharon Weimar Mr. and Mrs. Benton G. Weimer Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Werner Mrs. Dorothy T. West Mr. and Mrs. H. Drake Williams, Jr. Mr. Tim Wilmott and Dr. Anastasia Barna Ms. Margaret Wolcott Ms. Christine Woltjen Mr. and Mrs. James E. Wren Mr. and Mrs. Donald Wright Ms. Barbara D. Yetter Dr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Zaladonis, Jr. Dana and Jim Zdancewicz Charlie and Kathy Zepka Mr. Michael Zimmerman Ken and Jennifer Zipeto Mr. and Mrs. Greg Zollner

Thank You !

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

Jim and Lee Amigh Ruth H. Berry Ms. Jane Dent 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. Jim and Barbara Summers Albert E. Wood, PhD Ken and Jennifer Zeigler

Donations in Honor of Raymond Burke, III Paul Burton, III Sandra Clapham Patricia Dawson The Fielders Carl and Maureen Germer Lee Harp Doris Raker Craig and Donna Rothman

Donations in Memory of Anita Borak John Capelli F. Joseph Carragher Alberta Benoit Craig Robert L. Daisey, Jr. Marian “Terri� Powers Flammer Nancy D. Frank Jeane Herrmann Winifred Olive Jacobs Carolyn L. and James J. Kilsdonk Annie Linch Kenneth McGeary Geoffrey Moskowitz Kathy Pascale Charles and Gail Poliero Samuel Roberts John Edward Roberts, Jr. Jim ``Daddy`` Schellenger Carol A. Stetson Dr. Burton Waisbren, Sr. Evelyn Warren Mariclare Weinert Barbin Patricia Windrow Charles Brooke Worth

We wish to acknowledge all those who supported our mission throughout the year. Since space in this book is limited, we have posted a more complete list of donors on our website at wetlandsinstitute.org

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PLAN FOR THE FUTURE - Capacity Building Initiative Expanding Our Capacity for Research and Education

The Wetlands Institute has embraced a plan of rebirth and renewal to create a Center of Excellence in Research, Conservation, and Education for coastal and wetland ecosystems. Situated in an area of global significance for migratory birds and horseshoe crabs and with a natural laboratory spanning several thousand acres of unbroken wetlands, we are poised to be a problem-solver and educator of complex issues that have both direct and indirect influence on coastal communities and economies here in New Jersey and beyond.

The Capacity Building Initiative is a $500,000 campaign focused on building the necessary core staff and upgrading the infrastructure at the Institute to support impactful initiatives that benefit the plants and animals of coastal ecosystems and the people that rely on them for their livelihood and well-being.

The initiative includes three major components: • Building core staff • Director of Educational Program Development • Deputy Director of Research and Conservation • Director of Marketing and Communications • Full-time Conservation Scientist • Director of Development • Building and laboratory renovation and start-up funding for research equipment to empower staff to bring wetland conservation and education directly to our constituents.

• Building an elevated marsh boardwalk to enhance wetland research, immerse visitors in wetland education programs, and provide unparalleled marsh views and enjoyment for our community.

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Thanks to Our Donors!

We have reached our first campaign milestone at $150,000 and wish to thank our Capacity Building Initiative Donors.

$50,000 and up Jim and Barbara Summers Spike and Mary Yoh

$10,000 to $49,999 Ray and Ellen Burke Jennifer and Ken Zeigler

$5,000 to $9,999 Anne Galli Chip and Nancy Roach Hank and Julie Schellenger

up to $4,999 Cape May Beach Plum Association Michael Craig and the Washington Inn Carl and Carol Cutler Dr. Connie Dent Gifts to Joe Jacobs Memorial Fund Dr. Ann Gundry Julian and Betsy Miraglia UMH Properties

Corporate Sponsors The Wetlands Institute would like to thank our Corporate sponsors for their support in 2013.

Atlantic Capes Fisheries Atlantic City Electric Atlanticare Regional Medical Center Avalon Flooring Burke Motor Group CapeBank Charitable Foundation Kindle Ford Mercury Lincoln, Inc. Lucky Bones Backwater Grille Hays Sheet Metal, Inc Holman Automotive Group, Inc. Patagonia Footwear

Phase II Underway If you would like to support our Capacity Building Initiative, we would love to welcome you to our circle of giving. Gifts of the following levels will include naming rights, as well as recognition in donor stewardship events, and the donor recognition displays at the Institute.

Naming Rights for: Research or Education Director Position . . . . . . $ 100,000 Elevated Walkway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 100,000 Elevated Walkway Overlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 50,000 Boardwalk Research Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 50,000 Renovated Lab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 25,000 Marsh Research and Water Quality Station . . . . . $ 25,000 Please contact Dr. Lenore Tedesco at 609-368-1211 to discuss your gift.

PSEG Services Corporation Sturdy Savings Bank UMH Properties, Inc. Washington Inn Windrift Resort Hotel 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 Opportunitites, contact Dr. Lenore Tedesco at 609-368-1211 or by email at ltedesco@wetlandsinstitute.org.

Fiscal Year 2013 Financial Report (1/1/13 – 12/31/13)

FY2013 Revenues

FY2013 Expenditures

1% 5%

The Wetlands Institute takes great care to steward your gifts wisely.

With the generous support of our members and friends, the Institute has been revitalized and is on a path of growth and strengthening that is allowing us to broaden the scope and impact of our programs.

We have enhanced administrative efficiencies and reduced fundraising costs, and have redirected our valuable human and financial resources into building high-quality, mission-centric research, conservation and education programs.

2013 was an exceptional and transitional year for The Wetlands Institute. Operational expenses for the year totaled $1,232,184, a 15% increase from 2012. This increase resulted largely from growth in human resources expenditures and facilities upgrades as part of the Capacity Building Initiative.

Hurricane Sandy rebuilding expenditures for 2013 totaled $270,439 and will continue into 2014 with the walkway construction.

Thank you for being part of the future of The Wetlands Institute and for enabling us to Make No Small Plans!

Contract/Grants Gifts / Memberships Program Income Invested Funds Total Revenue

$57,007 $678,641 $420,117 $16,176 $1,171,941

Programs Development Administrative Total Expenditures

$1,020,845 $95,995 $113,343 $1,232,184

Annual Operating Revenue and Expenses, 2008 - 2013 Operating Revenue

$1,400,000

Expenses

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

FY2008

FY2009

FY2010

FY2011

FY2012

FY2013

*FY2013 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 not-for-profit research, conservation and education organization studying, preserving and protecting wetlands and coastal ecosystems