Our Coastal Conservation Research Program Interns spent 10 weeks this summer immersed in our projects, and creating their own projects. After acclimating to life in the saltmarsh, nights on bayshore beaches, and days on terrapin road patrols, each intern crafted and conducted their own independent research project. In the process, they gained personal experience navigating the small victories and temporary setbacks of field work, contributed to our ongoing projects, experienced the amazing places, people, and wildlife of southern New Jersey, and made friends along the way. Quite a lot to fit into 10 short weeks!

Pictured left to right: Adeline Schlussel, Elliott Fackler, Patrick Williams, Wolfgang Trumbauer, Aaron Mitchell, and Lauren Seacrist.

Intern Projects Overview

Elliott Fackler (Bloomsburg University) compared egg viability of horseshoe crabs between saltmarsh and bayshore spawning locations.

Aaron Mitchell (University of Southern Mississippi) examined the effect of species interactions on the behavior of American Oystercatchers during the breeding season.

Adeline Schlussel (St. Mary’s College of Maryland) investigated the response of diamondback terrapins and terrapin predators to the introduction of an artificial nesting site, or ‘terrapin garden’.

Lauren Seacrist (Lander University) studied movements of American Oystercatchers between saltmarsh and barrier island locations.

Wolfgang Trumbauer (Widener University) estimated hatchling sex ratios of diamondback terrapins by measuring temperature in nest cavities.

Patrick Williams (Stockton University) captured diamondback terrapins in local marsh creeks to examine changes in the population structure.