Rebuilding Healthy Marshes: A Scotch Bonnet Island Project Update
by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director
We are pleased to report that the construction phase of the marsh rehabilitation project on Scotch Bonnet Island was successfully completed this fall. This project beneficially used clean sediment dredged from the NJ Intracoastal Waterway near Nummy Island to increase the elevation of low marsh areas that have fallen below the height range for healthy marsh. Marshes are healthiest when they are regularly nourished by tidal waters. However, when they are inundated too often, they begin to deteriorate and drown. Our research has shown that many marshes in our area are being stressed by rapidly rising seas and are at a tipping point. Since the 1950s, the Scotch Bonnet Island marshes next to the Institute have lost more than 30% of their area to marsh drowning, and formerly lush expanses of marsh grass are increasingly converting to mud flats and open water.
The project goal is to restore lost marsh by elevating the marsh surface and reestablishing the appropriate balance with life-giving tides. Sediment came from navigation channel maintenance by our project partner, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and was tested and confirmed to be free of contaminants.
In early October, field crews from Barnegat Bay Dredging Co. placed biodegradable coconut fiber “logs” on the marsh to create zones to help settle out the sand and mud and build elevation where it was needed most. Other teams from the USACE constructed barriers in the tidal channel to encourage sediment flows to settle on the marsh surface. Numerous collaborating scientists and engineers installed monitoring systems to study the marsh’s response to the placement.
Dredging and placement operations began in mid-October and finished in
early December. The muddy slurry was pumped nearly 2 miles though a floating pipeline and sprayed on Scotch Bonnet Island marsh in the Cape May Coastal Wetlands Wildlife Management Area managed by project partner NJDEP.
At the end of the placement, a mini dozer was brought in to grade the surface to the established target elevations. Currently, the marsh elevation is between 4’ and 2’ NAVD88, slightly higher than we expect it to be when the site settles out. In total 14,000 cubic yards of sand and mud were placed, covering an area of 5.5 acres; in many places, the deposit is more than 3’ thick.
Sediment placement covered the marsh grasses, but inspection of the new surface shows that a lot of seed has already washed in, setting the stage for natural marsh grass colonization as we have seen at other restoration sites.
We have already observed wildlife benefits as large numbers of shorebirds and gulls frequented the site looking for tasty morsels transported with the sediments. The high marsh area immediately became a safe haven for birds; in high-water
events this winter, we saw impressive numbers of shorebirds resting and foraging on the mud flats, especially when the surrounding marsh was flooded. The project even attracted a rare American Golden-Plover that quickly became the star of the placement, drawing birding enthusiasts eager to catch a glimpse.
The benefits of this project extend beyond Scotch Bonnet Island. Lessons and knowhow are already informing other projects and contributing to scaling-up efforts to help build resilience into our marshes.
For more information, visit the website at wetlandsinstitute.org/scotchbonnet. A timelapse video of the project is at youtu.be/E_MdOmeQFRk.
Drone image of newly placed sediment at Scotch Bonnet
Shorebirds feeding during active placement
Deborah A. Hays, Chair
James Donohue, Vice-Chair
Hank Schellenger, Treasurer
Annie Ulichney, Secretary
Raymond Burke
Timothy Jon Clay
John Flynn
William Hankowsky
Margaret McAllister
John Millar
Staff
Leadership
Jeannie Morris
Liz Thomas
Jon Tullis
Amy Welsh
William Wermuth
Francis J. White III
Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director
Dr. Lisa Ferguson, Director of Research and Conservation
Jim Frick, Director of Finance and Operations
Brooke Knapick, Director of Educational Program Development
Research & Conservation
Julie Blum, Research Scientist
Samantha Collins, Research Scientist
Meghan Kolk, Conservation Scientist
Bailey Sanders, Research & Conservation Coordinator
Brian Williamson, Research Scientist
Education
Francesca Jacobs, Environmental Educator
Abbygayle Liles, Aquarist/Environmental Educator
Erin Rawls, Outreach Coordinator
Development & Communications
Devin Griffiths, Marketing and Communications Specialist
Leah Satterfield, Office Assistant Finance
Terrie Campbell, Finance Administrator
Christine Whaley, Finance Analyst Administration
Mary Beth Ciccarone, Administrative Coordinator
Kimberly Dmytro, Tidepool Shop Manager
Michael Fridmann, Facilities Manager
Visit Us
Hours: Until May 18, open Saturday and Sunday 9:30 to 4:30. May 19 - September 14, open daily 9:30 to 4:30
General Admission: Members: Free. Non-members: $12 Adults, $10 Children 4-12.
Marsh Musings
by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director
These past few months have seen a lot of changes in policies and priorities coming down from the federal level and rippling through society. Some view these as good; others see them as detrimental. I have always been crystal clear that the work of The Wetlands Institute (TWI) remains distinct from politics and the shifting direction of political winds. We will stay true to that course of action.
The fundamental reality that we should hold dear is that the mission of TWI is essential, and the work we do to deliver on our mission is critical. The importance of our work has not changed; arguably, it has only become more significant in the past few years. I also believe that the urgency and awareness of the human influence on ecosystems is at an all-time high. The work of TWI in the past several years has become more focused on moving science into action and doing work that bridges knowledge to act in meaningful ways for place, community, and society. Our distinctive organizational structure that houses research, conservation, and education under one roof has been foundational to helping to translate our work and remain true to our commitment to place, people, and the wildlife that call these ecosystems home.
All of us at TWI understand that it is not enough to talk about the importance of coastal ecosystems and the values and benefits they have for our well-being. Being an educator and translator about the changes our marshes and coastal ecosystems are experiencing is the first step, but taking concrete steps to solve the complex problems they face is where the value proposition lies. Our work using sediment to rehabilitate and enhance our marshes and to protect communities from future storms is innovative and provides real hope for a sustainable future. We are undertaking planning to enhance the infrastructure at TWI and will be a model for how humans can live sustainably with the environment.
We have achieved so much through strong science, innovative approaches, and remarkable partnerships with federal scientists, engineers and policy experts, academics, and members of other non-governmental organizations. Their commitment to working to solve these complex problems has been exemplary. They care; we all care. Most have dedicated their lives to working for the betterment of these ecosystems and the wildlife that depend on them.
The fundamental nature of how we fund and conduct science is being called into question. These changes will impact some of our projects and programs, but the support that we enjoy from our members and supporters has been instrumental in helping us achieve so much. I am confident that it will continue to do so. If you would like to learn more and understand how you can help, please reach out. I am always available.
Sediment placement at Scotch Bonnet
Site visit with project partners and agency scientists
Visitors enjoy an educational kayak trip around the marsh
We Are Stronger All Together
by Annie Ulichey, Institute Supporter and Board Member
There is a village in Vietnam where a respected elder lost his beloved wife to an extended illness and became destitute and stricken with depression. After a long isolation, his village decided to support him as a community, gathered resources and bought him a cow. The collective gift of a cow lifted his mood, provided a source of income, and reconnected him to his community. This simple story has remained with me for many years.
We are stronger all together, and with purpose we all flourish together.
For my whole life, Stone Harbor has been a source of renewal and strength. There is beautiful magic here within the vibrant simplicity of the nature around us. Nothing is more at the heart of our island community than The Wetlands Institute.
The Wetlands team is tirelessly working to preserve our cherished community with nationally acclaimed projects focused on
miles to our shores each spring. This is a Herculean level of endurance and we are the beneficiaries of the work to protect them.
saving our vulnerable drowning marshes and an array of species. Our local species are amazing critters, one – the Horseshoe Crab – who has survived for millions of years. The humbling Red Knots fly 9,000
Promoting the Future of Research
by Elizabeth Hefner, Development Team
The Wetlands Institute is pleased to announce that Garrett Maggio, a Ph.D. student in the Biology, Biomedicine, and Chemistry Program at East Carolina University, has been awarded a fellowship through the Jeannie Morris Graduate Fellowship Program for Coastal Conservation and Research.
Garrett will use this $10,000 fellowship to continue his project “Investigating Diamondback Terrapin Population Ecology using a Parasitic Bioindicator,” which he began last year as the inaugural Jeannie Morris Graduate Fellow. Funding through this fellowship will allow Garrett to continue to take a deep dive into the genetic relationship between a parasite and its terrapin host, which can ultimately have large-scale benefits for terrapin conservation. We look forward to learning more
through Garrett’s work.
“We are pleased to support the research aspect of TWI’s mission by endowing a yearly research fellowship for graduate students,” says Jeannie Morris.
We are truly grateful to Jim and Jeannie Morris, who are dedicated to supporting academic training and development and diversifying and expanding research endeavors focused on wetlands and coastal ecosystems.
We can increase our impact through the generosity of people like Jim and Jeannie, who support TWI’s programs. If you want to discover how you can make a strategic investment in TWI’s mission and support the programs you care most about, please email us at ltedesco@wetlandsinstitute.org or ehefner@wetlandsinstitute.org.
For decades, the Wetlands team has been pouring their own hearts into conserving the biodiversity we love. If you stroll around TWI’s campus and see kids and adults riveted as they stumble upon a turtle laying her eggs or the intent focus of a group watching a horseshoe crab eat a scallop, these moments stay with us forever and bond us together. The Wetlands is the heartbeat and the bridge to our vital yet very fragile nature at the shore. Our family supports their relentless efforts, and now more than ever our coast and critter neighbors need our help, all of our help. I encourage you to join in on a program, take a stroll for yourself, and be an active part of this tremendous community.
Annie Ulichney holds a recently banded Great Egret while Research Scientist Sam Collins collects data
Garrett Maggio and Jeannie Morris
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The Wetlands Institute depends on the generosity of our donors, whose support is pivotal in helping us sustain and expand our programs in research, conservation, and education. Thank you for partnering with us!
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2024 Honorary & Memorial Gifts
In Honor of
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Connecting to Conservation with The Marshketeers
After a long, cold winter, the first hints of spring are finally beginning to emerge. Daylight lingers well into the evening, the bitter air is taking on a more pleasant aspect, and here in the marsh, Red-winged Blackbirds herald the season’s imminent arrival with boisterous song. As the vernal harbingers increase, so too does the sense of anticipation in those of us who mark the season with the return of feathered friends from afar. Migration is nearly upon us, and birders everywhere are gearing up for the annual spectacle –and The Marshketeers are with them. On May 10, our intrepid band of unstoppable birders will once again rise to the challenge of the 24-hour birding marathon that is the New Jersey Audubon World Series of Birding.
Last year, running on caffeine and carbs, and braving all manner of biting insects, The Marshketeers tallied 146 species and raised more than $11,000 for conservation – and we have a loftier goal for 2025. With your support, we know we can reach it, and we have a special Bonus Bird to help us on the way – the Black-crowned Night Heron. A recent focus of our research and conservation efforts, this enigmatic bird is experiencing worrying declines. To bring attention to its plight, NYC Bird Alliance declared 2025 the Year of the Blackcrowned Night Heron. We chose this bird to honor the designation as well as recognize our work with the species and reaffirm our commitment to helping understand its needs and safeguard its future.
The Marshketeers are sponsored by
Help Us Soar!
Your generous gift today can help us make a real difference for birds! Can we count on you? Proceeds go directly to supporting our coastal bird conservation programs. There are several ways to support us:
1. Pledge an amount per species identified, and send your contribution after we tally the results.
2. Contribute a fixed amount to send in right away.
3. Offer an additional pledge based on whether we find this year’s Bonus Bird, the Black-crowned Night Heron.
Help advance our coastal bird conservation work by supporting The Marshketeers. Donate or pledge online at wetlandsinstitute.org/wsob, download a printable pledge form, or call us at 609-368-1211.
Spring Happenings
As the harbingers for spring arrive back in the salt marsh, The Wetlands Institute will be open daily starting May 19, 2025! Unless otherwise stated, all activities are free with admission and occur onsite at The Wetlands Institute. Questions? Please call The Wetlands Institute at 609-368-1211.
Salt Marsh Safari
11am and 2pm Daily
Watch our award-winning film, Secrets of the Salt Marsh, then join us for an interpretive marsh walk along our elevated walkway and onto the dock overlooking Scotch Bonnet creek!
Creature Feature
12:30pm Monday and Friday
During this live animal presentation, get up close and personal with turtles, fish, crabs, sea stars and urchins, mollusks, horseshoe crabs, or the popular animals of Finding Nemo.
Aquarium Feeding
12:30pm Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
Help us feed the local marine life! We will open up feeding three times each week so you can see the burrfish eating crabs and the horseshoe crab gobbling shrimp.
Summer activities start June 16, 2025! Starting then, The Wetlands Institute will be open daily with expanded programs and activities happening throughout the day. Please check our website calendar for programming updates as we transition from spring to summer hours.
Tidepool Shop
Catch o’ the Day 12:30pm
Wednesday
Get your feet wet (or wear waders!) as you discover what swims in the back bays. Help us drag seine or dip nets through the water to find crabs, shrimp, fish and more.
Seashell Sunday Sunday 12:30pm
Seashells at the seashore! Join us to learn all about seashells, how to collect them without harming the environment, and touch an assortment of live mollusks and cool artifacts.
Enjoy a virtual visit to The Wetlands Institute, anytime and anywhere, by visiting the Salt Marsh Safari section of our Virtual Wetlands Experience portal on our website. wetlandsinstitute.org/virtualwetlands-experience/startexploring
In 1962, the publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring exposed the dangers of DDT and the threat it posed to wildlife and environmental health. The resulting public outcry led to a nationwide DDT ban, fueled the fire of the US environmental movement, and ultimately gave birth to the EPA. The book was a cautionary tale about humanity’s impact on our world and the grave consequences of our actions; with renewed assaults on nature, Silent Spring still has relevance today.
At the same time, more and more children are being raised indoors, losing their experiences in and connections to the natural world – resulting in a condition known as Nature Deficit Disorder. The future of nature depends on restoring these vital connections, and we have a number books designed to get kids – and their parents – outdoors and experiencing the wild around them. And for those who want to go farther, our Tidepool Shop has a collection of nature guides, references, and “how-to” books to deepen your knowledge of the wonders in our world and provide a starting point to create positive change and help make a real difference.
As always, your purchase at the Tidepool Shop directly supports our important work here at The Wetlands Institute. Stop in soon and see what’s in store and - Thank You!
Our book and gift shop is open every weekend through May 18 and daily from May 19 to September 14. Can’t visit us? Give us a call or shop online at tidepool-shop.myshopify.com. We will ship your purchase anywhere in the United States.
1075 Stone Harbor Blvd.
Stone Harbor, NJ 08247-1424
A non-profit organization studying, preserving, and protecting wetlands and coastal ecosystems
As a conservation organization, we have a special responsibility to address the global challenges of climate change and sustainability. We are committed to minimizing environmental impacts in all aspects of our operations. Visit our website at wetlandsinstitute.org/about-us/ sustainability/ for more on our sustainability initiatives. Views
