NOAA Lab, Beaches, Etc

Over the last few weeks, Clean Ocean Action has been working on a variety of issues - from National Ocean Policy to your local beaches.

Today, we thought we'd share a few links to stories and webpages that we access as part of these ongoing battles for a clean ocean economy:


Last week, a number of news stories on COA issues were published:

1. A COA letter to the editor was featured on NJ.com wherein we talk about three looming threats to the ocean (the same threats featured in this blog post),
2. A story on Marine Mammal Stranding Fund Cuts was posted in the APP based on the NOAA budget issues we've been working on, and 
3. A story was posted on the NOAA Fisheries Lab Closure at Sandy Hook and COA efforts to save it also in the APP, and another in the Philly Inquirer.

For many of these action items, and a few more, we use these websites regularly:

1. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) "transformation portal" where the DEP posts the times (and results of) for its stakeholder meetings on various state environmental initiatives.  Free and open to the public (unless otherwise posted as RSVP only) - so come out and speak up!
2. The NJ DEP Barnegat Bay Program website - hosting the DEP's action items on Barnegat Bay action items
3. The EPA's "beach program" site - the site for all info on the program whereby your beaches and swimming waters are tested to make sure it's safe to swim...and the program that the EPA proposes cutting
4. The James J. Howard Marine Lab at Sandy Hook - proposed to be closed at the end of the year, this site details why it's important that this lab stay open
5. The White House's National Ocean Council page where the administration's ocean policy initiatives can all be learned about in great detail.
6. For offshore energy, we monitor the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's website (www.boem.gov) and the two state-specific sites for New York and New Jersey on those states' federal renewable energy issues.

In one last shameless plug, other sites we love are the COA homepage, COA Blog, and COA Facebook page... 

Celebrate World Oceans Day 2011

Are you wearing blue?  If not, you should be!  Why? 

Because it's World Oceans Day!

The world's oceans--which account for about 70 percent of the Earth's surface, are facing diverse challenges ranging from depleted fishery resources to he impacts of climate change, to ocean industrialization. 

As we kick of this summer season, full of shore and ocean-centered activities, we are well aware of the wondrous gift we have in the big blue--and are committed to doing whatever it takes to protect it.  Are you? 

What are you doing today to protect Big Blue?  Tell us in a comment below! 

You never know, there might be something in it for you!

Read All About It---ONLINE!

We know you've heard this from us a few times, and we don't want to sound like a broken record--but we REALLY mean it when we say that we are working to improve our communications with you! 

If you're in the know, you are already well aware of the Clean Ocean Advocate--our monthly newsletter that updates you on the issues and events that Clean Ocean Action is working on in any given month.  The Ocean Advocate is published at the first of every month and until now, has been available via hard copy or pdf. 

We're connected--we know its hard to read a PDF on a blackberry though!  We feel your pain!

So, we've designed an e-newsletter to address this pesky problem--and ensure that you can have the same access to the vital information we're sending out from your home email, blackberry, iPhone or Android (or whatever fancy new phone you're using!). 

The e-newsletter is just one way we are committed to making good on our promise that our communications are clear, constant and user friendly.

Are you subscribed?  If not, you can sign up today, here.  It's free!

Your voice matters: Vote for our SOA!

National Environmental Education Week  is the nation’s largest environmental education event held each year the week before Earth Day and this year’s theme is about exploring ocean connections.  To that end, the National Education Foundation is promoting a video contest by Planet Connect for High School students throughout the country in which the entrants discuss their connection to the ocean.  

One of our own Student Ocean Advocates, Brian Geiger, from Manasquan High School entered his video, “A Step in the Right Direction,” and is now a 2011 Finalist!  But he needs our help to win!  Please watch his video and “like” it before April 1 so that he can win!  It’s a great video talking about how drinking tap water instead of plastic bottled water can really help the ocean.  Go Brian!

Can you name this? Guess for a chance to win COA swag!

The February creature is one of the smallest species of the baleen whales, reaching up to 35 ft in length.  Instead of teeth, baleen whales have rows of flexible plates that filter food from the water.  They feed on krill or small schooling fish, such as, capelin, cod, herring, and pollock.  This species that lives in our region is the third most abundant whale on the Atlantic Coast.  

This fast species can leap out of the water and is identified by its pointed beak, or snout, and that they do not show their tail when diving.

For a chance to win a COA T-shirt, submit your guess to Judge L. Piked by by clicking here.

Another name for this whale is Little Piked 

Photo from http://www.itsnature.org/

Make a difference: Volunteer. Training Sessions scheduled for March!

Volunteers are the lifeblood of Clean Ocean Action.  Without them, we wouldn’t be able to spread our message about working towards a healthy, clean ocean to thousands of people every year.  We have many opportunities for people to volunteer with us and are always looking for new and fun ways for people to get involved, using their expertise.  Here are the general volunteer categories: Beach Sweeps, Office Work, Event Assistance, Photography and Videography, Outreach, Social Media, Advocacy, Event Fundraising Committee, and Education.  You can find out more on our website, under “Help your ocean.”

There are a few training sessions coming up in March for new and veteran volunteers alike in order to learn more about COA, our opportunities, and current ocean issues so you feel comfortable volunteering going forward.  Here are the details:

• Saturday, March 19 at the Jakes Branch Nature Center in Beachwood at 1pm
• Wednesday, March 23 at the Bloom Pavilion in Margate City at 6:30pm
• Wednesday, March 30 at Jenkinson’s Aquarium in Point Pleasant Beach at 6:30pm
• Thursday, March 31 at COA Office on Sandy Hook at 6:30pm

Volunteering can help you fulfill service hours, learn about the environment and actually help protect it in a real way, meet new and like-minded people, and contribute to your community!  

We hope you will join us at one of these meetings.  Email or call 732-871-0111 and ask for Meg.  The Spring and Summer are our busiest season so we definitely need your help.  Hope to see you soon!

We might be stalking you.

Yes, sometimes the COA staff are the wee-bit-o-creepers and stalk you.   (virtually that is)

We LOVE blogs.  Each and every one of us here at COA is connected 24/7 and committed to keeping abreast of things that impact our work--and that we generally think might be of interest to you.  Our bloggosphere reading list is diverse and ever-changing, but we thought we'd share what's on our feed right now, just in case you're interested.

Enviro-techie:  http://www.ecogeek.org/
In need of a fun blog that's going to satisfy your techie-needs but also leave you feeling good about your business on planet earth?  If so, this blog is your virtual pot-of-gold. 

Enviro-law:  http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/environmental_law/
Legalities can be confusing, right?  This blog does a good job of talking about the issues and pressing concerns regarding environmental law.

Science:  http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/
They've recently moved, but their commentary is as interesting as ever before. 

Green Living: http://inhabitat.com/
Looking for tips on greener living?  This blog touches on it sometimes.  More often though, the focus is on green buildings and sustainability--with some great discussion on what's happening in NYC.

Shop-til-you-drop: http://www.hippyshopper.com/
We have a *tad bit of an obsession with finding eco-friendly gifts.  This blog always has some fun new finds on it. 

Surf's up: http://surfriderfoundation.blogspot.com/
Our friends at surfrider are fun.  They also have a lot of interesting things to say.  You can read all about their work and advocacy here.

Our blog-roll is ever changing, so we'll revisit this from time to time.  If you have a blog we should take not of, please email us-we are always open to suggestions!

Until next time, no need to call the police....we're only virtual stalkers.