Last week the American Littoral Society was able to share a three day excursion with high school students from Urban Promise Academy in Camden and North Star Academy in Newark at Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center located off of Island Beach State Park. The Sedge Island education program is led by Jim Merritt who has been teaching environmental education for over 30 years.  This was the 4^th year for the Littoral Society’s Sedge Island trip and it was once again a success. Six students from each school got the opportunity to experience and learn about the coastal region of  Barnegat Bay.

The activities consisted of team building exercises and environmental education activities. The students participated in fishing, kayaking, canoeing, clamming and many other wonderful coastal activities. The students showed triumphant team work and strength as they battled against the strong current while kayaking through the marsh. The strong current was created by the expanding breach in the Army Corps of Engineers dike located at Barnegat bay inlet. The time spent on Sedge Island was the first coastal experience for many students. One student caught a 26 inch bluefish weighing about 5 lb directly off the dock of Sedge Island. This was not only his first fish, but the first time he had ever tried fishing.

Many students were able to swim in the ocean for the first time; even though the water was in the mid 50’s, they still enjoyed every minute in the water. At the end of the three day trip each student gave an oral presentation on a subject of their choosing related to the Barnegat bay natural ecosystem. Presentation subjects included ospreys, coastal vegetation, water quality and many others. The knowledge that the students obtained in the short time period on the island was truly mind blowing. The students were able to educate each other as well as the chaperons and members on the Littoral Society. The Sedge Island Littoral Society trip was a huge success for all. The American Littoral Society would like to thank the members of the Sedge Island staff and the students and chaperons from Urban Promise and North Star Academy for a fantastic and eventful trip.

2010 Annual Beachgrass Planting Event a Success! 

^{The American Littoral Society celebrated the 40th anniversary of Earth Day in a big way with our Annual Beachgrass Planting Event. After weathering several storms this winter and spring, Sandy Hook’s dunes were certainly in need of restoration. Volunteers gathered at Sandy Hook and planted 2000 culms (dormant stalks) of American beachgrass, which plays a crucial role in dune formation.}

^{Many students arrived with potted beachgrass plants already awaken from dormancy and showing green new growth. In the months prior to the big event, local schools attended an educational dune and beach grass presentation provided by the American Littoral Society′s education coordinator, Stevie Steffey. After the presentation, the students planted their very own beachgrass culms in pots to care for at home.}

^{In addition to the planting of beachgrass, many volunteers assisted in the removal of Asiatic sand sedge. Sand sedge is an invasive species that displaces American beachgrass. It is not as successful as American beachgrass in dune formation and does not provide necessary habitat for birds and other critters that inhabit dunes. Led by Bill Shadel, American Littoral Society′s restoration director, volunteers successfully removed the Asiatic sand sedge from a 2000 sq ft area of dunes. The removal was followed by a planting of American beach grass.}

^{The American Littoral Society thanks all of the schools and generous volunteers that helped to make this event possible!}

         

                               

                    

   

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In the Classroom: When we visit the classroom to enrich an existing science program, our offering is strictly hands on. Contact us to learn about bringing programs to your school stevie@littoralsociety.org.