Nature + Forest Therapy is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku, or its English translation: Forest Bathing. This practice combines a slow walk in a natural area with a clearly defined sequence of guided events that provide structure to the experience. Although structured, the practice allows many opportunities for creativity and serendipity offered by both nature and by the individual inspiration of the guide. Our walk will draw on the latest developments in the field of nature connection, and ancient traditions of mindfulness and wellness promotion. The walk takes approximately 2.5 hours and requires no exceptional skill or physical exertion. *NOTE: Participants are required to register by 3:00pm the day before the scheduled session.

Nature + Forest Therapy is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku, or its English translation: Forest Bathing. This practice combines a slow walk in a natural area with a clearly defined sequence of guided events that provide structure to the experience. Although structured, the practice allows many opportunities for creativity and serendipity offered by both nature and by the individual inspiration of the guide. Our walk will draw on the latest developments in the field of nature connection, and ancient traditions of mindfulness and wellness promotion. The walk takes approximately 2.5 hours and requires no exceptional skill or physical exertion. *NOTE: Participants are required to register by 3:00pm the day before the scheduled session.

Presented by Pamela Lowell, Author, Environmentalist, and Therapist
Date Wednesday, August 14; 4:00pm
Fee $12 per person
This one-hour presentation is aimed at a general audience of birders/nature enthusiasts/artists (or appreciators of art) young, or older environmentalists and/or therapists. Have you ever wanted to hold a live Osprey in your hands? What if you had to cross a mucky salt marsh in your bare feet to do it? Pamela has developed an engaging video and PowerPoint slide presentation of her work while weekly volunteering with Mass Audubon and the Southcoast Osprey Nest Monitoring Project on the Westport River at Allen’s Pond. 

Event Cancelled

Enjoy this one- day, two-hour adventure. Choose between kayaking or Stand-up Paddleboarding and learn about Barnegat Bay and fun historical facts of Long Beach Island. All equipment provided, but you can bring your own, too!

Available for ages 13 and up… fun for the whole family!

Join Todd Pover, CWF Senior Wildlife Biologist, for a walk along the inlet at Barnegat Light, the site of a habitat restoration for endangered beach nesting birds that he helped create. Todd will discuss the features of the restoration as we search for breeding piping plovers and American oystercatchers using the site.

Meeting place: Barnegat Lighthouse State Park parking lot. Must be able to walk at least 1.5 miles (roundtrip) in sand. Limit 25 people

18th Annual Barnegat Bay Day
Date Wednesday, July 10; 12:30pm - 3:30pm
FREE Admission

This is a family learning experience with lots of hands-on activities. Explore the importance of the critters and plants, living underwater and on land, in the Barnegat Bay ecosystem. Have a blast participating in activities, joining guided tours of the natural beauty of LBIF’s marshes, and getting your picture taken with live alpacas!

While you’re here, check out the LBIF Camp’s mini-aquarium in our Marine Biology Building and participate in a science themed craft! Meet and learn about our local environmental non-profit partners and how you can help conserve, preserve and protect LBIF’s natural resources. 

Did you know that LBIF is home to several pairs of ospreys? These nesting birds of prey have become a common sight along the New Jersey coast, thanks to early recovery efforts that began 50 years ago. For this special evening event, join CWF Senior Biologist Ben Wurst on a walk on the LBIF Nature Trail to the Osprey Blind. There, Ben will talk about the life history, recovery and current management of ospreys in New Jersey, while viewing our local ospreys.

Ben grew up on the mainland and has monitored and managed ospreys for close to 20 years.

Limit to 12 people.

Did you know that LBIF is home to several pairs of ospreys? These nesting birds of prey have become a common sight along the New Jersey coast, thanks to early recovery efforts that began 50 years ago. For this special evening event, join CWF Senior Biologist Ben Wurst on a walk on the LBIF Nature Trail to the Osprey Blind. There Ben will talk about the life history, recovery and current management of ospreys in New Jersey, while viewing our local ospreys.

Ben grew up on the mainland and has monitored and managed ospreys for close to 20 years.

Limit to 12 people.

Storyteller and conservationist, Gavin Shwahla, is on a mission to rewild the planet through rewilding his soul! Gavin shares the journey of his career as a biologist turned filmmaker and photographer, interviewing his own personal journey to overcome fear and anxiety to live his most authentic, actualized self. Providing examples of how the inner healing of our own lives can have profound, positive effects on the world around us. Prepare to see nature in a deeper way, remember the beauty of life, and discover just how much power we have to create the world we wish to live in... this is rewilding your soul!

When Science Hits Home

Join us IN PERSON at The LBIF for the last Science Saturday of the season!

On Saturday, May 11th at the Long Beach Island Foundation, join Science Saturday hosts as they welcome Architect, Samuel Gordon of Samuel Gordon Architects. Gordon will be sharing the secrets of Net Zero architectural design he has been incorporating into local homes for years. This discussion will cover a range of elements that cover local homes from the solar panels on the roof to geothermal wells reaching 300 feet into the earth below. Not only do these elements make a home more comfortable, they can bring the operating cost to zero.

Samuel Gordon has been visiting Long Beach Island since he was two years old. At the age of six he started attending summer classes in art, drama and marine biology at the Long Beach Island Foundation. In 1986, he received his professional degree in Architecture from Temple University and moved to Long Beach Island full time to complete his apprenticeship in architecture. In 1989 after taking the architectural licensing exam he departed for a one-year solo round the world tour. Upon his return he worked in Philadelphia for others until 1992, when he founded Samuel Gordon Architects. After working on various types of projects from Assisted Living to Restaurants and Interior Design, he chose to focus on his passion, private homes. These homes have been primarily on LBI. In 2008, he was invited to a conference at the Google headquarters in Mountain View, California, where he acquired the necessary groundwork to design energy-efficient homes. His own home in High Bar Harbor served as a personal laboratory, where he learned to incorporate several environmentally-conscious elements. Since then, the firm has continued to design and expand on creating Net Zero Homes.

On Saturday, April 20 via Zoom, join Science Saturday hosts as they welcome Storyteller, Filmmaker and Conservationist, Gavin Shwahla.

Gavin Shwahla, is on a mission to rewild the planet through rewilding his soul! Gavin shares the journey of his career as a biologist turned filmmaker and photographer, interviewing his own personal journey to overcome fear and anxiety to live his most authentic, actualized self. Providing examples of how the inner healing of our own lives can have profound, positive effects on the world around us. Prepare to see nature in a deeper way, remember the beauty of life, and discover just how much power we have to create the world we wish to live in... this is rewilding your soul!

Protecting Marsh and Saving Birds at Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge

On April 13th via Zoom, join the LBIF and Virginia Rettig, Refuge Manager at Edwin B. Forsythe NWR.

Virginia will discuss new techniques in marsh restoration projects and talk about what you can do to save migratory birds in your own home.

Virginia received her B.S. in Environmental and Forest Biology in 1991 from the College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse. She received her M.S. in Wildlife Biology in 1994 from Louisiana State University working on use of agricultural fields by shorebirds. She began working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Lafayette, LA Ecological Services Field Office in 1995. She then moved to the refuge division and worked at the Southeast Louisiana Refuges complex, Cat Island NWR, and Cape May NWR. She spent two years as an Assistant Refuge Supervisor in the Regional Office in Hadley, Massachusetts before heading to Forsythe Refuge in 2010. She enjoys creating habitat for wildlife in her garden and traveling to explore natural areas. She volunteers to support teachers and STEM in South Jersey through the American Association of University Women.

Prevent Balloon Litter: Protect our Coast

On April 6th via Zoom, join the LBIF and Devon Haines, Department lead for New Jersey’s networked Coastal Management Program.

Members from New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection work together with other State agencies throughout the Mid-Atlantic through the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO). Learn about MARCO and the Mid-Atlantic States' efforts to reduce marine and balloon debris. Learn about balloon litter and how to affects New Jersey coasts as well as how the State has been working on clean ups and prevention of future balloon litter. Join us to help prevent balloon litter through inspirational, colorful, litter-free ideas. 

Devon Haines is an Environmental Specialist within New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Climate Resilience Planning, which serves as the Department's lead for New Jersey’s networked Coastal Management Program. The NJCMP coordinates planning, research, policy and permitting for coastal and ocean issues. She has over 5 years of experience working in the NJCMP in project management as well as serving on committees and boards including: Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO); Mid Atlantic Committee on the Ocean (MACO); the Mid Atlantic Coastal Acidification Network (MACAN).

Forecasting the Weather From the Open Ocean to the Jersey Shore

On March 30 via Zoom, join the LBIF and Michael Folmer, the Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the Ocean Prediction Center in College Park, MD.

Saturday’s discussion will cover Folmer's work at the National Weather Service Ocean Prediction Center providing life saving forecast products and IDSS for the US Coast Guard, cruise lines, the cargo industry, and the everyday mariner--particularly those that venture beyond 60 nautical miles offshore. The second part of Folmer's talk will describe the Jersey Shore Mesonet, which includes the LBIF weather station and where Folmer and colleagues intend to grow the network over the coming years.

Folmer has been forecasting for OPC for nearly 5 years, and prior to that he was the Satellite Liaison for the GOES-R/JPSS satellite programs at OPC, the Weather Prediction Center, National Hurricane Center Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch, and the NESDIS Satellite Analysis Branch. Although he has a tropical meteorology background, satellite and mid-latitude weather have become his main focus.

Energy production, Distribution, and Conservation

On March 16 via Zoom, join the LBIF and Ray Bukowski, Managing Director of Government Relations, Communications and Sustainability at New Jersey Resources as he discusses energy production, distribution, and conservation.

Mr. Bukowski is the Managing Director of Government Relations, Communications and Sustainability at New Jersey Resources (NYSE: NJR), a leading energy infrastructure company that provides safe, reliable natural gas and renewable energy services, including transportation, distribution, storage, asset management, development, and retail services. He is responsible for leading strategy and teams dedicated to advancing NJR’s sustainability and decarbonization goals. Mr. Bukowski joined NJR in 2021, and previously served as Director of Environmental Strategy and Project Compliance at New Jersey Natural Gas, the principal subsidiary of the Fortune 1000 company. Prior to joining NJR, he spent nearly 30 years at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, where he served in numerous leadership roles, including, Assistant Commissioner of Natural and Historic Resources and Assistant Commissioner of Compliance and Enforcement, and worked in multiple media areas and on key environmental programs. A graduate of Stockton University, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies and is a member of the Ocean County Soil Conservation District board of supervisors and member of Converse Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey board of directors.  

LBT Field Station and the Bay Island Initiative

On March 9th via Zoom, join the LBIF and Angela Andersen, Sustainability Director for Long Beach Township and manager of the Township's Marine Education Field Station in Holgate as she discusses the Long Beach Township Field Station formation and public programs planned for the summer.

Angela will present on the Long Beach Township Field Station formation and public programs planned for the summer and the focal science projects running through the facility year round. She will focus on the NJ Bay Island Initiative group and the multiple grants funded projects the township and their partners have secured to inventory, research and plan for restoration of the complex of marsh islands in our bay for coastal and community resilience. 

Seeing Red: Engaging Future Generations in Osprey Conservation

On March 2nd via Zoom, join the LBIF and Ben Wurst, Senior Wildlife Biologist with Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, as he discusses efforts to monitor and manage ospreys over the past decade, after all known nests were mapped publicly online.

Ospreys have made a resounding recovery throughout New Jersey, where over 800 pairs now nest along the majority of the coast and inland. Today, citizen scientists play a leading role in monitoring ospreys and the health of their population throughout the state. Ben Wurst 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 by reporting nest activity and auxiliary bands observed on adults. 

MyCoast New Jersey: How you can capture science to inform coastal resilience planning

Join the LBIF and Amanda Archer on February 24 via Zoom to discuss MyCoast:New Jersey as a platform for communities to learn about climate-related flood risks and document coastal changes over time. Various tools on the website or mobile app allow community users to share photos and stories that document impacts of flooding and changes to shorelines due to higher tides, storms, and erosion. MyCoast fetches background data on location, weather, and water levels to add scientific context to each report. The submitted MyCoast reports inform state agencies, local governments, and community organizations and gives your community a voice in future climate and coastal resilience planning efforts.

Amanda Archer is the Coastal Training Program Coordinator at the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, based in Tuckerton, NJ. Her work includes stakeholder outreach, education,  and training for coastal decision-makers to better facilitate the relationship between humans and coastal ecosystems. She graduated with an Environmental Science degree from Stockton University and has worked in the Barnegat Bay and Great Bay-Mullica River Estuary for over five years. 

Beginner Astronomy – What to See in the Night Sky

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

On February 10th via Zoom, 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 the 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. He plays an active role in the Citizen Science Program that was founded by Science Saturday host, Darlene Cavalier where he recently became an Ambassador.

Thanks to the generous sponsorship of ReClam the Bay, please join LBIF and Lighthouse Film Society for a FREE and IN-PERSON screening of “Deep Rising.”

Narrated by Jason Momoa, "Deep Rising" illustrates the fate of the planet's last untouched wilderness; the deep ocean. The film leads the viewer into an investigative journey to a secretive organization that is threatening this delicate ecosystem by allowing massive extraction of seabed metals in an attempt to address the world's energy crisis. A panel discussion with Dr. Amy Williams from Alliance for A Living Ocean (ALO) and Chris Huch, a hazard mitigation planner formerly with Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve and Alliance for a Living Ocean (ALO), will follow the film.

Doors: 10:30AM

Film: 11:00AM

*Please note: Space is limited inside of LBIF Gallery, register below to reserve your seat.

The Challenges of Making a Living in the Crowded and Ever Changing Ocean

Imagine that every time you went to the grocery store they changed where they put the pretzels, cookies, and paper towels. What would happen if you got there and the deli counter was closed or didn’t even exist? Now picture a store where some of the aisles were mixed with traps with ropes and hooks and when they restocked the shelves a forklift came down the aisle making a deafening sound?

Join Dr. Josh Kohut on January 27th, via Zoom, as he discusses the experiences our sea creatures have while in the ocean. This presentation will provide insight into the challenges and realities of living in the dynamic and ever changing ocean.

Dr. Josh Kohut earned a B.S. in physics from the College of Charleston and a Ph.D. in physical oceanography from Rutgers University. Josh is currently a professor in the department of marine and coastal sciences at Rutgers University and a member of the Rutgers University Center for Ocean Observing Leadership. Using networks of ocean observing technologies, his research and extension programs focus on the ocean processes that structure marine ecosystems. He is involved in many research programs that range in scope from storm intensity, offshore wind, and local water quality monitoring off the NJ coast; regional fisheries along the US east coast; and environmental studies of polar ecosystems in the coastal waters surrounding Antarctica.

Responsible Stewardship of New Jersey's Valuable Marine Resources

On January 20th, join the LBIF and Dr. Doug Zemeckis via Zoom as he discusses Valuable Marine Resources.

New Jersey is very well known for the Jersey Shore and all that our marine ecosystems have to offer, such as providing recreational opportunities, supporting local tourism, and sustaining numerous marine related industries. The sustainability of our marine resources depends on responsible stewardship practices among stakeholders.

This presentation will provide an overview of New Jersey's marine ecosystems and the associated fishing and aquaculture industries with an emphasis on the practices and activities with which citizens in Ocean County and throughout New Jersey can get involved to be responsible stewards of our marine resources.

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 on issues related to fisheries, aquaculture, and marine resource management. His efforts focus on Ocean, Atlantic, and Monmouth Counties, but also includes working on issues throughout New Jersey.

Kickoff to 2024 Science Saturday Season: Learn And Contribute!

Join the LBIF and hosts Rick Bushnell and Darlene Cavalier via Zoom for another great Science Saturday Season. For over 15 years, 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 be involved. In 2024, we are going to show people how recording their observations can be used by the scientific community. You will find out about simple fun projects that will enable you, friends, and family to learn and contribute.

About the hosts:

Rick Bushnell is a past president of the LBIF, Chair of the Environmental Stewardship Committee, Chairman of the Board of ReClam The Bay And has been deeply involved in LBI environmental issues for over 20 years. Darlene Cavalier has a home in Barnegat Light and is a new member of the LBIF Environmental Stewardship Committee. In addition to being a “hands on” scientist, she is a professor of practice at Arizona State University and the founder of SciStarter, a popular citizen science portal and research platform connecting millions of people to real science that they can do right here, on LBI.

Nature + Forest Therapy is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku, or its English translation: Forest Bathing. This practice combines a slow walk in a natural area with a clearly defined sequence of guided events that provide structure to the experience. Although structured, the practice allows many opportunities for creativity and serendipity offered by both nature and by the individual inspiration of the guide. Our walk will draw on the latest developments in the field of nature connection, and ancient traditions of mindfulness and wellness promotion. The walk takes approximately 2.5 hours and requires no exceptional skill or physical exertion. *NOTE: Participants are required to register by 3:00pm the day before the scheduled session

Did you know that LBIF is home to several pairs of ospreys? These nesting birds of prey have become a common sight along the New Jersey coast, thanks to early recovery efforts that began 50 years ago. For this special evening event, join CWF Senior Biologist Ben Wurst on a walk on the LBIF Nature Trail to the Osprey Blind. There, Ben will talk about the life history, recovery and current management of ospreys in New Jersey, while viewing our local ospreys. Ben grew up on the mainland and has monitored and managed ospreys for close to 20 years.

Limit to 12 people.

Renowned conservation photographer Melissa Groo will touch on her journey into photography, sharing favorite photos from her magazine assignments and personal work over her decade-long career as a professional photographer. She’ll discuss how photos can aid in conservation, how to best gain an audience with birds and other sensitive animals, and how noticing the natural world around us can greatly enrich and enlarge our lives. Hosted by Long Beach Island Foundation, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, Little Egg Foundation, and Osprey Foundation.

Melissa Groo is a wildlife photographer, writer, and conservationist. She’s passionate about conveying the marvels of the natural world to diverse audiences. She believes that photography can be both fine art and a powerful vehicle for storytelling, and considers herself a “wildlife biographer” as much as a wildlife photographer. By capturing and sharing stories about individual wild animals, she hopes to raise awareness and change minds about not only the extrinsic beauty of animals, but also their intrinsic worth. Melissa’s photographs and articles have been published in numerous magazines including Smithsonian,  Audubon, Outdoor Photographer, National Wildlife, National Geographic (online), Living Bird, and Natural History.

Join field biologists from Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey to learn about rare wildlife that call Barnegat Bay home. Throughout the event , CWF will offer eco-friendly art activities, walks to the Osprey Blind, and tours of the Turtle Garden. This is a family learning experience with lots of hands-on activities. Explore the importance of the critters and plants, living underwater and on land, in the Barnegat Bay ecosystem. While you’re here check out the LBIF Camp’s mini-aquarium and participate in a science themed craft! Learn about our local environmental non-profits and how you can help conserve, preserve and protect LBIF’s natural resources. And get your photograph with an Alpaca from the Out of Sight Alpaca Farm! Food courtesy of the Lunchwagon Food Truck, and the Empanada Truck 

Did you know that LBIF is home to several pairs of ospreys? These nesting birds of prey have become a common sight along the New Jersey coast, thanks to early recovery efforts that began 50 years ago. For this special evening event, join CWF Senior Biologist Ben Wurst on a walk on the LBIF Nature Trail to the Osprey Blind. There, Ben will talk about the life history, recovery and current management of ospreys in New Jersey, while viewing our local ospreys. Ben grew up on the mainland and has monitored and managed ospreys for close to 20 years.

Limit to 12 people.

Join Todd Pover, CWF Senior Wildlife Biologist, for a walk along the inlet at Barnegat Light, the site of a habitat restoration for endangered beach nesting birds that he helped create. Todd will discuss the features of the restoration as we search for breeding piping plovers and American oystercatchers using the site. Meeting place: Barnegat Lighthouse State Park parking lot. Must be able to walk at least 1.5 miles (roundtrip) in sand. Limit 25 people

Note: A detailed presentation about the restoration will be presented at LBIF on June 13. Attendance at the talk is not required but is recommended for walk attendees.