Stone Harbor, NJ – For the summer of 2020, The Wetlands Institute launched an exciting new nature discovery experience – the Summer Nature Program Adventure Chest. An adaptation of its popular and much-loved Summer Nature Program, the once-weekly Adventure Chests provide nature explorers aged 4-13 the Institute’s traditional Summer Nature Program...

by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director Just weeks before the world changed so dramatically, Dr. Lisa Ferguson and I had the privilege of hosting a trip of exploration and discovery to Ecuador, the Galápagos, and Peru. We were joined on our sold-out trip by 19 fellow explorers and friends of the Institute, and all had the experience of a...

by Devin Griffiths, Marketing & Communications Specialist On Saturday, May 9 - the coldest May day in recent memory – TWI’s team of intrepid birders, The Marshketeers, gave up sleep and braved the weather to spend 24 hours birding for conservation during NJ Audubon’s World Series of Birding. COVID-19 presented some significant challenges this...

Never Waste a Good Crisisby Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director Boy, what to even say. As I reflect on the past few months, I can say with certainty that this has been an incredibly trying time for The Wetlands Institute. My thoughts about leadership during a crisis of this magnitude have evolved quite rapidly and I can finally say I think I...

by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director As we have reported in the past, TWI is part of a partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Philadelphia District, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the USACE Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) that has developed the Seven Mile Island Innovation Lab...

by Danielle Meeker, Aquarist/Environmental Educator Say hello to Hank, the newest addition to our Secrets of the Salt Marsh Aquarium! Hank was donated to The Wetlands Institute by Jeff Martin, Marine Science teacher at Lower Cape May Regional High School. Octopus are extremely curious and playful and Hank is no exception. Whenever we walk into...

by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director As Seven Mile Island and the rest of our region debate when and how to reopen, The Wetlands Institute is working diligently to be ready to welcome you back when we are able. We, like so many other organizations and businesses, have been significantly impacted by the quarantine, but we are committed to...

by Brooke Knapick, Director of Educational Program Development As the early realities of this pandemic unfolded, Education staff were planning several different Summer Nature Program scenarios that included delaying the start of the program, operating programs at reduced levels, and/or cancelling the program this summer, among others. As we...

by Brooke Knapick, Director of Educational Program Development Necessity is the mother of invention. It sounds cliché, but in the evolving and uncertain landscape of environmental education today, this sentiment is extremely applicable. For more than 50 years, a visit to The Wetlands Institute has been a hands-on, feet wet educational experience....

Jeff Dix, a South Jersey native, joined The Wetlands Institute as our Maintenance Technician in February 2020. Growing up along – and often in – South Jersey's bays and tidal creeks, he quickly developed a great love of the outdoors – a love that he's never lost. Having over 30 years of experience in carpentry (he recently retired from the...

Among the challenges presented by COVID-19 is how to manage our book and gift shop. In order to maintain the health and safety of both staff and visitors, we have decided to keep the physical space closed and reopen our online Tidepool Shop. We'll relaunch with even more of the books, educational resources, unique artwork, and wearable items you...

Dear Friends; Like you, we are all just beginning to find our footing in this uncertain time. The Wetlands Institute Board of Directors and Staff hope that you and everyone in your family are staying healthy and well during this unprecedented situation in our lives. If you haven't already done so, and it's allowable where you are, spend some time...

by Danielle Meeker Home to some incredible creatures, the Aquarium is an ever evolving and changing place. As Aquarist, it is my responsibility to provide our animals with the best possible care. Often times, the quality of animal husbandry is dependent on equipment. In the past few months, with the use of newly received endowment funds from the...

by Danielle Meeker With fond memories of being an Environmental Education Intern at The Wetlands Institute (TWI), it is with much excitement and fulfillment that I take on my new permanent role as Aquarist/Environmental Educator. As a longtime summer resident of Wildwood, interning at TWI combined my emerging passion for both Environmental...

by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director It’s 2020, and we’re kicking off another great year at the Institute. We had so much to celebrate in 2019, our 50th Anniversary. It was a wonderful year when we all took time to learn more about our history and reconnect with old friends who make up the fabric of this great organization. I continue to be...

by Devin Griffiths These days, there's a change in the air. It carries the breath of spring and the promise of warmth, evening light, and renewal. There’s something else, though, and for many it fills the air with a sense of electric anticipation: Spring migration is almost upon us. Birders everywhere are gearing up for one of nature’s great...

by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director It’s hard to believe but fall is here. I know it’s true because the marsh is no longer green but instead a mosaic of green, brown, tan, purple, and red. Some of the winter birds have taken up their residence in the marsh, while some of our summer friends are still here. It’s that special time of year so...

by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director As our year of celebrations for the 50th Anniversary comes to a close, it’s fitting to reflect upon the remarkable legacy of research and conservation that underpins the impact of The Wetlands Institute. During the conceptualization of The Wetlands Institute and for all the years since, the critical need...

by Christina Faulk This summer, in our 50th year, The Wetlands Institute introduced our first ever endowment campaign. An organization with a great history as strong as ours surely also has a promising future. Thanks to you, the 50th Anniversary Endowment Campaign is close to reaching its goal of raising $3.5 million to secure that future. To...

Now and Into Our Future, by Dr. Lisa Ferguson These days at The Wetlands Institute, when we set off to conduct our research, we see the ties to our history in everything around us. From the expansive, green acres of salt marsh that are protected thanks to our founders’ vision and the many individuals who supported this quest; from the 20-year-old...

Coastal Conservation Research Program We spent a productive and fun summer with the interns in the Coastal Conservation Research Program. The interns spent time on the marshes, beaches, and roads contributing to our ongoing monitoring projects; delved into independent research projects of their own; and gained new experience with data collection...

My name is Erin Rawls and I am the new Outreach Coordinator at The Wetlands Institute. I was born and raised in sunny Clearwater Florida, and grew up exploring the mangroves and beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. Growing up in Florida meant experiencing a lot of unique wildlife, including actually seeing an alligator crawl out of the sewer! I...

A Haven For Weary Wanderers, by Devin Griffiths These days around the marsh, there’s change in the air. As I write this, summer has just started to wane, the edges of the light shifting away from the harsh brightness of mid-year towards the more subtle tones of autumn. The Osprey chicks are just shy of fledging, juvenile Yellow-crowned...

by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director The Wetlands Institute is securing our future through the 50th Anniversary Endowment Campaign. Achieving our $3.5 million goal will allow us to invest in the people and programs that define The Wetlands Institute and our future. We are well on our way to achieving and even surpassing our goal. We are...

by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director On June 22, 2019 more than 300 of our friends and supporters joined us on a glorious day in celebration of a wonderful milestone – the 50th Anniversary of the founding of your Wetlands Institute. For 50 years, this organization has had remarkable, positive impact in this community. In fact, the vision and...