by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director

“Sunny Day” flooding on Seven Mile Island
Wetlands Institute scientists have been studying these marshes for more than 50 years, and working to understand how rapidly rising seas are stressing and weakening these marshes and impacting the wildlife that depend on them. Research conducted here, and by many other organizations and agencies, is showing that many of New Jersey’s marshes are reaching a tipping point. In addition, our work on the marshes in our own backyard – the core of our laboratory and classroom, the marshes you love to visit and explore – clearly indicates that they are under stress and experiencing dramatic change.
Thankfully, we are moving from evaluating to action. Through our partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers and NJ Department of Environmental Protection in the Seven Mile Island Innovation Lab, we have implemented several marsh restoration and enhancement projects, and we have the data we need to move forward with more. This partnership is providing an opportunity to bring a restoration project home to our marshes here at the Institute. We are in the exciting planning stages and will be sharing more in the coming months and newsletters as our plans take shape. Stay tuned!