What Types of Seafood Come from New Jersey? with Doug Zemeckis

Professor Douglas Zemeckis (Rutgers Cooperative Extension) dives into the different types of Jersey Seafood that are grown by aquaculture farmers or harvested by commercial and recreational fisheries. New Jersey is a significant player in our country’s seafood industry and much of what is harvested in the Garden State can be found near Long Beach Island in Ocean County. This talk will describe New Jersey’s aquaculture and fishing industries, including the species that are harvested, the management to support the sustainability of these industries, and some of the challenges on the horizon.

Dr. Douglas Zemeckis serves as a County Agent II (Associate Professor) with Rutgers Cooperative Extension. In this role, he conducts educational programming and applied research to address local issues related to fisheries, aquaculture, and marine resources management in Ocean, Atlantic, and Monmouth Counties.

Paddle for the Edge: Using Community Science Data to Assess Shorelines with Samantha Adamczyk

“Paddle for the Edge” is a community-science program developed by the Barnegat Bay Partnership to collect data on marsh edge conditions in the Barnegat Bay. The program involves trained volunteers kayaking (or paddle boarding) to assigned sections of the bay and using a smartphone app to take photos of various parameters that highlight the stability or vulnerability of the marsh edge. After reviewing the data, it is published on a web portal where restoration managers can filter the data according to their needs to help identify areas in need of restoration.

Samantha started out as a volunteer with the BBP after graduating from Unity College with a B.S. in Marine Biology. After assisting with eel monitoring and juvenile fish sampling, she soon returned to Unity to get her Master’s in Natural Resource Management. She officially joined the BBP team as a Field and Lab Technician in the spring of 2020, and has enjoyed working on a variety of projects, including stream crossing assessments, water-quality monitoring, and wetlands work. Sammie took her knowledge of water-quality instruments to the NJDEP lakes program in 2021, where she performed routine water-quality monitoring and physical habitat assessments. Shortly after returning to the BBP, she transitioned into her current position, where she continues to monitor both coastal and inland habitats as well as run the community science program, Paddle for the Edge.

LBT’s Field Station: A Hidden Gem in Holgate – Public Programs, Real Time Research and Immersive Opportunities for All with Angela Anderson

Angela presents the pioneering vision of the Long Beach Township Field Station and opportunities for the community. She focuses on the NJ Bay Island Initiative and the multiple grants the township has secured for the study and restoration efforts of the complex of marsh islands in our bay for coastal and community resilience.

Angela Andersen is the Resilience Project Manager for Long Beach Township and manages the Township’s Marine Education Field Station in Holgate. She is a certified Oyster Ambassador through the Oyster Master Guild. Angela is an award winning sustainability leader with 3 decades in the field. A certified Recycling Professional and Sustainable Resource Management Professional, she holds a Master of Arts in Environment & Community and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies. Angela lives on the island with her husband, 2 sons and puppy.

Help Document our Changing Coast with MyCoast: New Jersey with Amanda Archer

Join Amanda Archer and the hosts of Science Saturday for another great discussion centered on MyCoast and the various tools for users to submit community reports.

The Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve (JC NERR) helps communities better understand and communicate flood risks and impacts through MyCoast: New Jersey. By collecting tide, weather, and location data, MyCoast informs state and local decision-makers to track flooding frequency, identify vulnerable areas, and develop resilience strategies to protect communities and the places they love. The platform also shares information on tides and flood preparedness for residents and visitors. See how community members are collecting data using MyCoast: New Jersey, and how that data is being used today by practitioners.

Amanda Archer has served as the Training & Engagement Coordinator at the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve since 2022. Her work aims to foster resilience in New Jersey by developing innovative tools and resources, providing learning opportunities for community leaders and organizations, facilitating collaboration among sectors, and advancing nature-based solutions in the estuary. She is a Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner in Training (CERPIT) and Managing Director for the New Jersey Coastal Resilience Collaborative.

Seeing Red: Engaging Future Generations in Osprey Conservation with Ben Wurst

Ospreys have made a resounding recovery throughout New Jersey, where over 800 pairs nest along the majority of our waterways. NJDEP upgraded their status from threatened to stable in early 2025. Today, citizen scientists play a crucial role in monitoring ospreys and the health of their population throughout the state.

During this talk, Ben Wurst, Senior Wildlife Biologist with Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, will talk about efforts to monitor and manage ospreys over the past two decades with emphasis on engaging the public in reporting nest activity online, through Osprey-watch.org. He will also discuss Project RedBand, an osprey banding and re-sighting project that was founded on Long Beach Island and how the public can help contribute to their long term stability.

Reclam the Bay Introduces the Ripple Effect Series with Rick Bushnell and Bill Walsh

A close-up of a hand holding several small, wet clams freshly collected from Barnegat Bay during a marine science program.

Reclam the Bay Introduces the Ripple Effect Series with Rick Bushnell and Bill Walsh

Rewatch the LBIF and Rick Bushnell as he discusses The Ripple Effect Series Podcast with Current RCTB president, Bill Walsh.

This session is an introduction to a series of podcasts called the Ripple Effect which is produced by ReClam The Bay (RCTB). Rick Bushnell, founder of RCTB, will talk with Bill Walsh to introduce the concept and to use RCTB activities as examples of how an improvement here and a problem there affects the ecosystem, commerce and recreation. Future Ripple Effect podcasts will explore local environmental issues with hopes to raise awareness, and influence outreach initiatives and sustainable solutions.

Rick Bushnell Bio:

Rick served as President of the LBI Foundation of the Arts and Sciences and currently serves as Chair of the Environmental Stewardship Committee. Rick is the founder of ReClam The Bay (RCTB), an environmental organization with over 1,000 members and 120 active Shellfish Gardeners, Certified by Rutgers University. Rutgers honored Rick with its Volunteer Of The Year award after 10 years of high level service. RCTB has received several prestigious awards from the EPA, NJ DEP and NJ Department of Tourism.

Bill Walsh Bio:

Bill Walsh joined ReClam the Bay (RCTB) in 2018 after completing the Coastal Stewardship course of the Barnegat Bay Shellfish Restoration Program, hosted by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County. Bill was elected President of ReClam the Bay (RCTB) in January 2022. He serves as captain of the Surf City Yacht Club upweller and has participated in the living shoreline projects at Mordecai Island and Little Egg Harbor Township and many RCTB educational and other activities at various venues since joining RCTB. He is a retired utility executive with over 35 years of experience in the gas, electric and water sectors of the industry. He has significant experience in governmental and regulatory affairs, corporate responsibility, strategy, policy and business development. Bill is a past Chair of the Board of Trustees for Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton, part of the RWJ Barnabas Health System. He also serves as President of the North Beach Taxpayers Association.

Salt Marshes of the New Jersey Coast with Joseph Smith

A calm tidal creek surrounded by lush green salt marsh grasses under a bright sky with scattered clouds.

Salt Marshes of the New Jersey Coast with Joseph Smith

Rewatch with the LBIF and Wildlife Biologist Joseph Smith as he discusses how historic ditching and farming of salt marshes relate to our current conservation challenges and restoration strategies. Joseph Smith is lead wildlife biologist for Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge and have been working on coastal research and conservation in South Jersey for 15 years.

Beginner Astronomy: What to See in the Night Sky with James Webster

A colorful spiral galaxy swirls through deep space, with bright pink, purple, and blue hues blending among countless stars and nebulae.

Beginner Astronomy: What to See in the Night Sky with James Webster

Getting started in Astronomy? Have a new telescope or binoculars and are not sure what to look for?

Join the LBIF and Astro Photographer and Astronomer James Webster as he discusses how to decipher what we see in the night sky.

James Webster, member of the Astronomical Society of Toms River and member of the Dark Sky International since 2021, considers himself an amateur of the night sky due to the vast subject matter above. An expert to others, Webster is an advocate for anyone interested in diving deeper and can provide local resources for learning more about astronomy.

Science Saturday Kick-Off with Rick Bushnell and Darlene Cavalier

Child wearing a sun hat and sunglasses holds a turtle in front of the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences building.

Science Saturday Kick-Off with Rick Bushnell and Darlene Cavalier

Join the LBIF and hosts Rick Bushnell and Darlene Cavalier via Zoom for another great Science Saturday Season. This kick-off will provide an orientation to the series and highlight new engagement opportunities. For over 15 years, we’ve showcased local experts sharing relevant information about environmental topics impacting Long Beach Island and all who inhabit it (from biodiversity to humans). The purpose of Science Saturday’s have been to try and stimulate people to find facts and information about environmental topics to instill a desire for people to get involved.