New Jersey Coastal Resilience Collaborative (NJCRC) partner members gathered on Sept. 16 at the Long Beach Township (LBT) Marine Education Field Station in Holgate for a presentation on the Clam Cove Living Shoreline project.
The Clam Cove Reserve is a 22-acre wetland parcel purchased by the township through the municipal open space trust. Long Beach Township received two grants from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) for bay island restoration planning projects for five islands, and the Clam Cove Reserve was selected as the first project. Additional funding has been provided by New Jersey Resources to assist with final design and permitting.
Following the presentation, attendees braved the elements and kayaked across the water to the Clam Cove Reserve. This was a great opportunity to see the ecological importance of the site firsthand and also learn about the issues impacting it before the living shoreline construction gets underway in the coming months.
The field trip was organized by the NJCRC Field Site Visit Workgroup and hosted by Long Beach Township. Following the kayak tour, the attendees were treated to fresh Barnegat Bay Brunettes oysters from the Barnegat Oyster Collective and a tour of the field station. Staff shared information on the oyster shell recycling program and the on-site terrapin hatchery.
Established in 2021, the LBT Field Station is a bayfront education center that has a meeting space and an interactive lab. It is a clearinghouse for information exchange and is a think tank reflecting on our maritime culture and current day challenges and opportunities. The mission of the LBT Field Station is to be an immersive and experiential facility that goes beyond simple education. The hands-on programming that is developed and implemented inspires behavior change and shows the value of our coastal heritage.
For more information on the Field Site Visit Workgroup, or to learn about or propose future activities, click here or contact Workgroup Chair Mike Galvin at MGalvin@jmt.com. Interested in becoming a partner of the NJCRC? Click here for partnership information or reach out by email to NJCRC@NJSeaGrant.org.