by Elizabeth Hefner, Development Team
The Wetlands Institute is not merely a building, it is a gateway for experiential education that enriches connection, drives community building, and draws generations together.
Sandra Mackin Mezzanotte’s grandparents and parents met in Ocean City. In the late 1960s, Sandra’s parents purchased a home in Ocean City. Captivated by the majestic beauty of Avalon’s coastline, Sandra’s father-in-law, Dr. John Mezzanotte, purchased land on 9th Street following the 1962 Great Storm. He soon built a home that became a haven of joyful summer memories but also served as a poignant reminder of the coast’s vulnerability.
“Our family history is intertwined with a deep appreciation for the area’s natural beauty, and inspires our family’s dedication to the protection and study of these delicate coastal ecosystems so future generations may also enjoy their splendor,” shared Sandra. The Mezzanotte family’s dedication to supporting The Wetlands Institute is rooted in their multi-generational connection to the southern shores of New Jersey.
While the Mezzanotte’s history is their foundation for their commitment to The Wetlands Institute, they also understand the linkage between The Wetlands Institute’s research, conservation, and education programs. Applied research informs best conservation practice; engaging conservation programs create positive change for habitats and wildlife; connecting people to stewardship through education creates lasting change.
The Wetland Institute’s scientists work tirelessly to discover, develop, and implement groundbreaking solutions to the threats these ecosystems, their wildlife, and our coastal communities face. We focus on sentinel species that are foundational to marsh ecosystems. Using state-of-the art tools and working on multi-disciplinary teams, we advance knowledge to create positive change. Whether we are working to understand how wildlife are utilizing restored or created habitats, discovering important information about the life needs of declining species, or evaluating marsh response to changing conditions, the marsh is our laboratory and classroom.
Achieving our mission to promote appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of wetlands and coastal ecosystems through our programs in research, conservation, and education would not be possible without every individual who supports us. More than half of our funding is from individual donors with gifts, large and small, that drive our excellence.
Thank you to each of you who support our work. The future is bright because of our friends and donors, like you, who are fueling our mission and providing hope for a future filled with lush marshes, healthy coastal ecosystems, abundant wildlife, knowledgeable stewards, and caring and engaged communities.