by Sam Collins, Research Scientist Some of the most iconic species of our coastal wetlands are herons and egrets, which are often observed wading in the open water areas of the marsh trying to catch a quick meal. Unlike conspicuous and easily observed wading birds like Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons, Black-crowned Night-Herons can be very...

by Brian Williamson, Research Scientist Diamondback terrapin populations face many threats, but none as widespread or detrimental as bycatch in crab traps. Terrapins breathe air, and can only hold their breath for about 45 minutes during warmer months. As carnivores, terrapins are attracted to bait and crabs within the traps and, once caught,...

by Eunice Hudzik, Seasonal Naturalist As a Seasonal Naturalist, it is almost a certainty that each day, while either out in the marsh or on the beach, I will experience some kind of wildlife sighting. These likely encounters have fueled my enthusiasm for a job that keeps me coming back. My most memorable sighting happened during my second year...

by Elizabeth Hefner, Development Team For most of us, exploring the marsh and visiting The Wetlands Institute is part of the fabric of summer. Every year, you join us in celebrating the joy of diamondback terrapin hatchings, the spectacle of shorebird migration, and the simple pleasure of beautiful days outside in the marsh or overlooking the...

by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director Yep, it happened again. Summer flew by and once again, I’m not sure how it went so fast. As we settle into the rhythm of fall, it’s a time when I take a minute to reflect on all the wonderful things that we accomplished together this busy season. I am pleased to say that we had many outstanding moments...

by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director Wetlands and coastal ecosystems are incredibly dynamic and change is constant. Superimposed on their rhythmic changes are increased pressures related to climate change, sea level rise, and intensifying human use of these resources. The Wetlands Institute is exceptionally well-positioned to expand its work...

Meet Devon Patchel Devon Patchel joined The Wetlands Institute as the Administrative Coordinator in March 2023. She works closely with our Executive Director and the Development and Communications team, specifically focused on special event coordinating and fundraising efforts. Prior to joining the team here at TWI, Devon worked for Stockton...

by Rae Griffiths, Office Assistant Spring migration in Cape May holds many special moments. Whether it be Ospreys returning to nesting platforms; Red Knots scouring the beaches along the Delaware Bay; or colorful warblers traveling north from the tropics, the arrival of migratory birds comes with great anticipation. Every spring, we make special...

by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director Time – it keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping, into the future. Truer words are hard to find. And so, we are on the cusp of another busy summer season. There is comfort to the rhythm and I am surrounded by constant reminders of the symphony of the seasons – and one of my favorites is the transition from...

by Jessica Ward, Wetlands Institute Supporter Every summer since I was born, I’ve stayed with my family in Stone Harbor, and in those twenty-one summers, there has never been a year that did not include countless days visiting The Wetlands Institute. When I was young, my parents and I would spend any sunny day walking down the path to the water,...

by Devin Griffiths, Marketing & Communications Specialist Saturday, May 13, 3:00 AM. Though the sun is still hours from rising, The World Series of Birding is on, and for The Marshketeers, our band of intrepid birders, it’s deja vu. They catch the first birds of the day from a team member’s driveway in the blackness of pre-dawn – Carolina...

by Dr. Lisa Ferguson, Director of Research and Conservation This summer we are lucky to have two Research Assistants adding to projects in our Coastal Bird and Diamondback Terrapin programs. They each bring experience and energy that is helping our team get all the good work done! Christine Albrecht, a recent graduate from Stockton University, is...

Coastal Conservation Research Program We welcomed our 2023 CCRP interns in the Luing Family Internship Program just in time for the official start of summer. After several full days of training, they began their 10-week adventure conducting their independent projects and contributing to studies in our coastal bird and diamondback terrapin...

by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director Healthy marsh edges are sloped from the flat marsh plain down to the mud flat apron of the tidal channels. Shorter marsh grasses give way to taller grasses that are flooded more frequently by the tides. These edges teem with life. Many marsh edges however, are highly erosional with vertical scarps and...

by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director, and Devin Griffiths, Marketing & Communications Specialist What has eight arms, can change colors at will, and is an expert escape artist? An octopus, of course! Octopuses are remarkable, and in coastal New Jersey, the Common Octopus (Octopus vulagris) is a fascinating resident of our local waters....

by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director The Wetlands Institute opened its doors more than 50 years ago, and over the past half-century, much has changed – but much has remained the same. What hasn’t changed is the reliance of all species (us included) on a healthy, thriving coastal ecosystem. What hasn’t changed is our commitment to each facet...

by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director Earlier this year, The Wetlands Institute family lost an ardent supporter and a dear friend – Roberta (Bert) DeVries. Bert was a truly amazing champion of everything that The Wetlands Institute is. For more than 20 years, she devoted her time, talent, and energy to furthering the Institute’s mission,...

by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director The biggest threats our wetlands, coastal ecosystems, and coastal communities face are climate change and the impact of rising seas. Sea level rise is real and accelerating, and its effects are obvious: flooded roadways along the coast are the norm rather than the exception; “nuisance” or “sunny day”...

by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director & Devin Griffiths, Marketing & Communications Specialist Salt marshes and coastlines are dynamic environments by nature, affected by changes on timescales ranging from hours to years to decades: the stately waltz of the tides; the energetic tango of the ebb and flow of life; the jazzier beat of...

by Sam Collins, Research Scientist New Jersey’s coastal nesting birds have lost a substantial amount of habitat due to dense development – and sea level rise, sinking marshes, increased storm intensity, and flood frequency threaten what remains. As available marsh habitat sheltered from frequent flooding continues to disappear, identifying...

Special Thanks From SMIIL After the floodwaters caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ian receded from the marsh islands around the Institute, we discovered that our collaborators at Boston College lost some of their monitoring equipment for our work in the Seven Mile Island Innovation Lab (SMIIL) – including a few data loggers suspended from...

by Brian Williamson, Research Scientist Diamondback terrapin populations in New Jersey face many threats, but the largest is bycatch in enclosed crab pots. Terrapins are attracted to bait and crabs captured in recreational and commercial pots. Once they find their way inside they cannot escape and, because terrapins breathe air, they frequently...

by Dani Meeker, Aquarist & Environmental Educator Each school year, The Wetlands Institute (TWI) partners with Lower Cape May Regional High School’s Structured Learning Experience Program. This program allows students to step inside local businesses and organizations to gain the experience needed to bolster a future career in their chosen...

by Erin Rawls, Outreach Coordinator Every year, in the early days of summer, Northern diamondback terrapin females emerge from the marsh to lay their eggs. If you’ve visited The Wetlands Institute during those months, you might have seen a terrapin yourself, or even helped a terrapin safely cross the road and wondered – what’s that turtle’s...

by Jon Tullis, Wetlands Institute Board Member Stone Harbor and Seven Mile Island have been treasured spots for me since childhood. I’m one of those having a favorite relative – an aunt, in my case – who owns a family place on the Island. Aunt Peg is a favorite because she’s enlightened, she’s fun to be with, is a great cook – and yes, because...