2015 Summer Internships Overview

The Coastal Conservation Research Program (CCRP) interns recently completed an intensive 10-week program that included participation in on-going and new research and conservation projects, as well as the completion of their own individually crafted research projects. The interns conducted patrols, pit-tagged, and released diamondback terrapins, surveyed and rescued horseshoe crabs, and assisted with our avian studies. They also had the opportunity to explore local habitats such as vernal pools, maritime forests, barrier beach systems and, of course, the wetlands.

Perhaps the highlight of the program is the unique opportunity to select and develop their own research questions, design a study, and conduct a project and data analysis with the help of our staff. Lindsay Diehl (Elizabethtown College) measured the elevation of terrapin nests and evaluated the effect of body condition and substrate saturation on nest fate. Jennifer Terry (Bucknell University) examined nest site fidelity of terrapins over an 11-year period and assessed how nesting terrapins respond to human disturbance on The Wetlands Institute’s property. Shane McFoy (Philadelphia University) studied the dynamic of salt pannes around our property and the patterns of fish-eating bird use within the pannes. Cate O’Neill (St. Mary’s College of Maryland) explored the prevalence and abundance of a trematode parasite in the digestive tract of terrapins collected at different locations along our road patrol route. Matthew Sehrsweeney (University of Michigan) used a novel technique, bioacoustics, to detect differences in laughing gull densities at the colony on Ring Island. Finally, Lauryn Freedman (University of Massachusetts, Amherst) conducted a presence/absence and site characteristic study of potential spawning locations for horseshoe crabs in the back bays of southern New Jersey. The CCRP interns presented this impressive suite of topics during our annual Intern Symposium on August 3.

As Environmental Education Interns, Mary Birrer, Jacob Lipton, Joseph Seebode and Hannah Sinclair were responsible for leading all public programs including Salt Marsh Safaris, Creature Features, Catch ‘o the Day, Aquarium Feedings, Totally Turtle Tuesday, Horseshoe Crabmania Thursday, Crabbing at the Dock and Hooked on Fishing, just to name a few! In addition to leading these programs, they were asked to develop and implement an education project of their choosing that is personally and/or institutionally beneficial. The development of individual projects assists them in honing skill sets that are essential to creating fundamentally successful programs or initiatives within the field of environmental education.

Completed projects were presented at this year’s Intern Symposium on August 4 and highlighted at a special Water Awareness Day held on August 7.

This was a fantastically innovative group and their commitment and dedication to developing quality education projects will benefit The Wetlands Institute for years to come!

Here is a brief summary of their projects:

The Evolution of Marion’s Gardens – Mary Birrer, Rutgers University

One of the first sights to greet visitors when they arrive at The Wetlands Institute is the beautiful plant gardens, known as Marion’s Gardens. My project focuses on increasing the educational characteristics of the Institute gardens by: 1) creating 25 new plant identification signs that educate about and highlight how native and naturalized plant species play an important role in providing food and shelter to native wildlife; 2) redesigning and enhancing the dedication sign for Marion’s Gardens; and 3) creating a trifold brochure identifying several common invasive species of Cape May County and native alternatives available for planting in home gardens.

Revitalizing the Osprey Learning Station – Jacob Lipton, Stockton University

For most guests visiting The Wetlands Institute, the first exhibit they see is the osprey learning station located in the lecture hall. In efforts to create a stronger visitor impression and enhance the year-round appeal of this exhibit, I am creating new interactive activities that highlight the complete phenological cycle of the osprey, providing visitors with a holistic understanding of osprey behavior. Activities include live osprey nest camera feed, current events signage, interactive marine debris diorama, 2D osprey growth puzzle, and biomagnification lessons.

Sustainability and Stewardship in Action – Joseph Seebode, College of the Holy Cross

Sustainability and environmental stewardship are at the heart of The Wetland Institute’s (TWI) mission and goals. The first part of my project focuses on water conservation as a way to promote environmental sustainability, by installing three rain barrels at strategic locations around TWI’s grounds, creating a rain barrel educational pamphlet and spearheading a Water Awareness Day. The second part of my project focuses on environmental stewardship by creating a series of kid-friendly environmental stewardship pledges, a pledge wall mural and initiating a social media campaign, #DifferenceMakerTWI.

Kaleidoscope of Worlds within Worlds – Hannah Sinclair, Medgar Evers College

The Wetlands Institute has an established reputation for educating youth on environmental conservation and awareness. Occurring during the winter months, Science Feature programs are tailored to older children and feature guided presentations, followed by interactive activities related to the Science Feature theme. The basis of my project is to create a new Science Feature that allows kids to explore the ‘unseen’ world of plankton – the kaleidoscope of worlds within worlds. This program utilizes modern technology tools like digital smartphone microscopes, plankton nets and 3D models and a unique educational approach incorporating visual, interactive and documentation techniques.