Toward a Sustainable Future: We All Have a Role
By Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director, The Wetlands Institute
Island communities by their very nature have limited resources, and in a rapidly changing world, the stresses on natural resources and island infrastructure are becoming ever more apparent and acute. Seven Mile Island is extremely susceptible to the whims of the sea and storms.
The Boroughs of Avalon and Stone Harbor have taken several steps that help move toward sustainability by adopting and promoting practices that strengthen the island communities. It’s important that we all find ways of contributing to the care of the island we love.
At The Wetlands Institute, we have been planning and implementing several projects to help improve our resilience so we too can
carry our mission forward for generations to come. Over the next year, I will share our journey toward sustainability in the hope that it can help educate our community and also provide concrete steps that you can take to become part of the solution. In this article, I will focus on water management at the individual lot level and the importance of the use of native plants.
One significant problem for our sustainability is managing flooding and protecting the fresh water supply. The fresh water supply on barrier islands is especially vulnerable to rising seas. Lowlying island streets flood with saltwater dozens of times each year, even on sunny days. Storm intensity and frequency have measurably increased, bringing saltwater flooding as well as flooding by rainwater. Rainfall has increased, with precipitation already 10% higher than in 2000 in New Jersey. I’m sure you have noticed that this increased rainfall is also coming as intense downpours.
Rain falling on permeable surfaces, that is surfaces that can absorb water, allows the water to soak into the ground. Fresh water soaking into the ground is the best place for rainfall to go. Impermeable surfaces, in contrast, cause water to run off properties into streets and ultimately to the storm drain network for discharge to the ocean. As the Island’s proportion of
The good news is that there are numerous steps property owners can take to reduce runoff from their properties. Consider porous paving stones for walkways and driveways. They are made of material that allows water to soak in rather than running off them. Consider diverting gutters into landscaped areas designed to absorb water. These so-called rain gardens can significantly reduce runoff from a property. Replacing turf grass with gardens or stones will increase the amount of water that can soak into the ground instead of running off.
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Annie Ulichney, Chair
Deborah A. Hays, Vice Chair
Raymond Burke, Treasurer
William Wermuth, Secretary
Timothy Jon Clay
James Donohue
John Flynn
William Hankowsky
Linda Littenberg
Margaret McAllister
Staff
Leadership
John Millar
Jeannie Morris
Liz Thomas
Jon Tullis
Amy Welsh
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
Leah Satterfield, Development Associate
Finance
Terrie Campbell, Finance Administrator
Christine Whaley, Finance Analyst
Administration
Mary Beth Ciccarone, Administrative Coordinator
Kimberly Dmytro, Tidepool Shop Manager
Michael Fridmann, Facilities Manager
Hours: Open on Saturdays and Sundays 9:30 to 4:30 through May 17th, and beginning May 18th, open daily 9:30 to 4:30.
General Admission: Members: Free. Non-members: $12 Adults, $10 Children 4-12.
Marsh M usings When Change is the Norm
by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director
Change is a funny thing. For some, it brings discomfort with a preference to stay the course and stick with the familiar. For others, it is the driver that keeps them sharp and focused, always relishing the next thing around the corner. I fall somewhere in the middle; there’s something nice about knowing what to expect, but then there really is something remarkable about embracing the things that you know are making things better. I am driven by the knowledge that the work I do is healing a small part of the world, providing sustainable solutions, and creating a strong future for a mission and vision that brings hope and joy and builds community.
As the days get longer, the seasons usher in new days; it is a time of change. In this case, predictable change. The marsh will green up, the migratory birds will make their epic hemispheric voyages; many of you will make your journeys back to the shore. It is predictable change.
Embedded in the predictable change of the warmer seasons; we are planning for and taking the first steps of change at The Wetlands Institute. Change that will help secure our future and allow us to serve our mission in expanded and more impactful ways.
We have received the funding needed to revitalize the Salt Marsh Trail and restore 5 acres of adjacent marsh. We are on track for the work to begin in the fall, and we will take planning steps to be prepared for that effort, ensuring that we account for the needs of the wildlife that utilize the trail system as well. We are also continuing the planning for the reimagining of the marsh campus itself, and are making progress.
Stay tuned for announcements about the changes that are coming, and opportunities for you to see them firsthand, and maybe even lend a hand to help out. We are making no small plans – and it continues to make all the difference.
The Future of Research
By Elizabeth Hefner, Development Team
The Wetlands Institute is pleased to announce it has awarded Katie Biardi, a Ph.D. candidate at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, the 2026 Jeannie Morris Graduate Fellowship for Coastal Conservation and Research.
Katie will use this $10,000 fellowship for her project, “Ecological Impacts of Restoration on Imperiled Saltmarsh Sparrow Populations along the Northeast Atlantic Coast.” Her proposed research project aims to determine how the habitat use of Saltmarsh Sparrows is affected by saltmarsh restoration and female nesting stages. Studying how Saltmarsh Sparrows modify their movements in response to restoration efforts will enhance our knowledge of habitat use, guide future restoration efforts,
An Extraordinary Time to be Involved with The Wetlands Institute
By Annie Ulichney, TWI Board Chair
What began as a simple volunteer inquiry has grown into a front-row encounter to coastal transformation for the last three years. I am excited to serve as the new Board Chair, alongside Institute officers Debbie Hays, Ray Burke, and Will Wermuth.
I’m humbled and in awe to serve alongside the accomplished board members and brilliant staff whose dedication and expertise reflects the committed spirit of our beloved shore community. The Wetlands staff, volunteers and board are laser focused on current challenges through intense research, award-winning innovation and bold, active coastal recovery.
Our Mission comes to life every day at The Wetlands Institute:
Global Recognition: The 2025 WLA international award developing tools for marsh replenishment with our partners at Penn (EMLab) proves that our local action has a global impact.
Funding through this fellowship will support the purchase of transmitters to track Saltmarsh
into exciting new areas. We look forward to learning more through Katie’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 to diversifying and expanding research 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.
Innovation: Drones sweep the marsh with incredible precision, continually monitoring the vital signs of the marsh.
Conservation today and for the future: Our awardwinning researchers are tracking diamondback terrapins, coastal birds and other wildlife to gain vital data needed to assess the vitality of the entire ecosystem so they can act to conserve them.
Discovery and Reverence: We are leading the way with over 30,000 visitors each year and formal education programs for more than 13,000. Our handson experiential teaching engages over 100 schools and organizations and is creating future marine scientists through meaningful connections to nature.
The energy here on The Wetlands Institute campus is palpable and it is our shared responsibility as a community to preserve what we cherish to ensure our coast remains vibrant for future generations. It’s an honor and a privilege every day to be involved with this remarkable world class community, right here in our backyard.
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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!
For a more complete listing please
In Honor Of
A2 Bio Microbiology
Anne & Karin
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Phyllis Benham
Lisa Benton-Short
Carol Dow
Maryann Elko
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Ze Frank
Mr. & Mrs. Guim
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Owen Hoffman
Melissa Howell
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Mikey
Daniel Montella
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Michael Movsovich’s Rescue of Amy, Marc, and Jeremy
Janice Nolting
The 50th Wedding Anniversary of the Devlins
Barbara & James Rooney
The Stump Family
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Bob & Jennilee Ward
Linda Whitman
In Memory Of
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Take note of the upcoming Spring Happenings here at The Wetlands Institute, or in your own backyard, with these colorful notebooks.
These notebooks are filled with blank handmade paper and feature hand-block prints on the covers, making them perfect for keeping track of any spring migrations you see.
Use these individual sheets of hand-printed paper to bring a splash of color to any project. They can be used for scrapbooking, wrapping a special gift, or even lining the back of a shelf! Need a little help identifying our shorebirds? The three greats in birding; O’Brien, Crossley and Karlson have teamed up to publish this essential and now classic guide using the holistic approach of identifying birds by impression. Appropriate for birders of all levels. Come visit and check out
Shop online at tidepool-shop.myshopify.com. We will ship your purchase anywhere in the United States.
Spring Happenings
As winter’s chill lifts off the marsh, The Wetlands Institute will remain open on Saturdays and Sundays through May 17th, and beginning on May 18th, we will be open daily! Unless otherwise stated, all activities are included with admission and take place onsite at The Wetlands Institute. Questions? Please call The Wetlands Institute at 609-368-1211.
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! Salt Marsh Safari
‘o the Day
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.
During this live animal presentation, get up close and personal with turtles, fish, crabs, sea stars and urchins, mollusks, horseshoe crabs, or the popular Finding Nemo animals.
Help us feed the local marine life! We will open feeding three times each week so you can see the burrfish eating crabs and the horseshoe crab gobbling shrimp.
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.
Summer activities start June 22, 2026! 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.
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Selecting landscaping options that use native plants offers a range of additional benefits. Native plants are low water users once they are established. They are adapted to the climate here and thrive without watering. They typically have extensive root systems that help increase the amount of water that soaks into the ground. This is water the plants use to prosper without additional watering while providing the added benefit of helping to reduce runoff that contributes to flooding.
At The Wetlands Institute, we too are taking steps to support sustainability. In the 2025 Winter Newsletter, I wrote of plans to elevate the Salt Marsh Trail at the Institute to reduce flooding. The project is now funded and scheduled to begin construction in the fall of 2026. The elevation of the trail and restoration of 5 acres of surrounding drowning marsh will involve bringing in clean
dredged materials to lift the ground elevation. We will remove nonnative vegetation and the dying cedar trees along the trail. Our scientists have been working with landscape architects to develop native planting designs that will
dramatically improve the wildlife benefits on the Salt Marsh Trail. Our design plans include replacing lost vegetation through the planting of thousands of native plants, trees and shrubs.
The overarching plan has been to restore the plants using only native
plants that are climate-resilient, and once established, will not require watering. The high marsh areas will be planted with a mix of flowering plants, grasses, and shrubs. The upland area will be planted with native red cedar trees and native shrubs. We will be expanding the area available for diamondback terrapins to nest and have designed these areas with plant spacing favorable for nest building and with plants that will provide shade, cover, and protection for hatchling terrapins.
Property landscaping plays an important role in the natural value of Seven Mile Island, and the choices that each landowner makes collectively have a dramatic impact. Every homeowner can join in the effort to help make Seven Mile Island more sustainable. A rich and beautiful native plant garden is a place full of life and a great way to contribute to the sustainability and wellbeing of our island community.
