World Oceans Day Celebration of the Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers a Huge Success!

2^nd Annual Rally for the Rivers Eco-Fest:

World Oceans Day Celebration of the Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers a Huge Success!

Attendees at the 2^nd Annual “Rally for the Rivers Eco-Fest” in Victory Park, Rumson, NJ

Rumson, NJ – Saturday, June 8, Clean Ocean Action, the Rumson Environmental Commission, and Rally for the Navesink Alliance members celebrated World Oceans Day by hosting the 2^nd Annual Rally for the Rivers Eco-Fest at Victory Park, in Rumson, NJ. This was a free event, made possible by Metrovation.  Nearly 300 attendees enjoyed hands-on interaction with turtles and other coastal critters, river seining, all-ages yoga, learning to row, ask a master gardener, music, marine debris art and more -  all in the spirit of “Watershed Mindfulness” education. The event “connected the drops” by highlighting the importance of keeping the rivers clean and of their affect on the health of the ocean.

River Seining with Monmouth County Parks System

“We had a fantastic day at the 2^nd Annual fun and educational Rally for the Rivers Eco-Fest! Thanks to over 30 environmental organizations that participated this year, attendees learned about their rivers and local environment while enjoying the beautiful setting at Victory Park,” said Alison McCarthy, Coastal Watershed Protection Coordinator, Clean Ocean Action.

Enviroscape station at the Eco-Fest

Children were able to dive into the fun by getting their Environmental Passport stamped after visiting different activity stations throughout the park. Once an Environmental Passport was stamped 18 times, it became eligible to redeem free local giveaways throughout June, as well as possible extra credit or a homework pass if shown to their teacher. 

Kristen Hall, a representative of the Rumson Environmental Commission enjoyed their participation in the Eco-Fest, saying, “We at the Commission are thrilled that the community is embracing this family friendly and educational event. It was such a pleasure to see families and children of all ages curious about the activities and learning ways they can be a part of the solution to environmental challenges we are facing here in our community.”

The Clean Ocean Action crew with the Rumson Environmental Commission at the Eco-Fest in Victory Park, Rumson

Pictured left to right: Swarna Muthukrishnan, Kari Martin, Kendall Keelen, Peter Blair, Kristen Hall, Cindy Zipf, Alison McCarthy, Patricia Dunkak, Megan Andreasen, Isabelle Rosa, Mary-Beth Thompson

“It's important go to events like the Eco-Fest and learn about the local environment.  I learned ways to protect wildlife and water and the Earth," said Astri Martin, age 10. "I filled-up my Environmental Passport at the Eco-Fest and had fun learning."

Astri Martin, age 10 with her Passport at the Eco-Fest

“The goal of the ‘Rally for the Rivers Eco-Fest’ was to unite the ‘Rally for the Navesink’ to ‘World Oceans Day’. The event provided many activities to empower local families with Watershed Mindfulness—an understanding of their connection and responsibility to the protection of the waterways. Our waterways are a major source of pollution to the ocean,” stated Cindy Zipf, Executive Director, Clean Ocean Action.

Children enjoying the Music Together station at the Eco-Fest with Coastal Melodies

Activity List:

Action & Information Tables – Jersey Shore Sierra Club & Navesink Maritime Heritage Association

All Ages Yoga – Flow Paddle Yoga

Baby Shark Pollution Maze – Middletown Environmental Commission

Bottle Cap Mandala Art Project – Red Bank Environmental Commission

Carbon Footprint Activity – Surfrider Jersey Shore

Coastal Critters Games and Activities – Save Coastal Wildlife

Design a Butterfly Craft – Native Plant Society of NJ Monmouth County Chapter

Enviroscape Demonstration – Clean Ocean Action

Fish Printing Craft – American Littoral Society

Guess the Dirty Dozen – Clean Ocean Action

Healthy Lawns Pledge – Rumson Garden Club

Learn to Compost – Master Gardeners of Monmouth County

Learn to Row – Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School Rowing Team

Living Shoreline Tank – NJ Sea Grant Consortium

Lorax Arts & Crafts – Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School AP Spanish

Marine Debris Art – WATERSPIRIT

Marine Debris Timeline – NJ Sea Grant Consortium

Music Together – Coastal Melodies

No Wipes in the Pipes Game – Rumson Department of Public Works

Pollution Math – Fair Haven Environmental Commission

Project Terrapin – Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School

Recycling Game – Rumson Environmental Commission

Reusable Bag Giveaway – Little Silver Environmental Commission

River Seining – Monmouth County Parks

Sail Trimming – River Rats Sailing

Seashell Identification – Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute

Seed Planting – Monmouth Conservation Foundation

Shell Painting Craft – NY/NJ Baykeeper

Worming Around the Garden – Garden Club of Fair Haven

Passport Rewards, including discounts and giveaways from:

A Kneaded Vacation on Massage and Wellness, Alfonso's Pastry Shoppe, Canyon Pass, Cupcake Magician, Distinctive Toys, Fairwinds Deli, Greenlines, Guaranteed Plants, In the Garden, Lusty Lobster, Moby's, Music Together Coastal Melodies, River Road Books, SeaBreeze Cleaners, Sickles Market, SoulShine Studios, and The French Market!

Rally for the Navesink Alliance Members:

American Littoral Society, ANJEC, Bayshore Anglers Association, Bayshore Regional Watershed Council, Conserve Claypit Creek, Hartshorne Woods Association, Monmouth Boat Club, Monmouth Conservation Foundation, Navesink Business Group, Navesink Maritime Heritage Association and River Rangers, Navesink Shrewsbury River Fishing Club, Navesink River Rowing Club, NJ Friends of Clearwater, NY/NJ Baykeeper, Oceanport Water Watch Committee, Oceanic Free Library, Pirates Care, Recreational Fishing Alliance, Red Bank Business Alliance, River Rats, Riverview Medical Center, Rumson Garden Club, Shrewsbury Sailing & Yacht Club, Sierra Club, Shore Group, Surfrider-Jersey Shore Chapter, and growing.