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.