Celebrate Mother Earth & All Women This Mother's Day

May is a time to head outside and enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer. The weather is warmer and the days are longer. Flowers are blooming and Spring is in the air. Mother nature is sprouting gifts every day. What better way to honor your all the women in your life, your mother, sister, friend, cousin, or neighbor than to spend time with them enjoying all that Mother Earth has to offer.  

Here are some ways to honor Mother Earth and the women in your life:

Picnic. Brunch is a popular activity for many on Mother’s Day. Inside of spending a beautiful day inside, pack a brunch, get a blanket, and head to your favorite outdoor spot. Whether it is a local park or the beach, a picnic is a great way to spend quality time with that special someone and Mother Nature.

Garden. As the frost recedes it is time to get down and dirty, and start planting. Bouquet flowers are always beautiful, but there is nothing like nurturing a plant, watching it grow from seed to sprout. You can plant tomatoes for summer salads or sunflowers for summer sunshine.

Treasure hunting. The beach is filled with all kinds of treasures from marine life to seashells. Go for a walk on the beach and go on a treasure hunt. Try to find blue sea glass or a sand dollar. Keep these treasures or find a great DYI project for items that you find on the beach.

Take a hike. From the Highlands to Sandy Hook, New Jersey is filled with wonderful hikes and trails. Pack a snack, fill up your reusable water bottle, and head into the woods. The hike could be a light stroll or for more avid hikers, a more strenuous trail. Be sure to stay safe and always stop to enjoy what is around you.

Get cooking. It is easy to just make reservations and enjoy a lovely meal out, but there is always something special about a home cooked meal. Your mom or whomever, may always be the cook in the house, but on Mother’s Day treat them to a home cooked meal or cook with her. Maybe visit your local farm or farmer’s market to pick up fresh and locally grown produce.

These ideas to honor the women in your life and Mother Earth should not just be dedicated to one day a year. There are plenty of different ways you can enjoy outside throughout the year. From hitting the slopes to kayaking down the Delaware during fall foliage. Always find ways to spend quality time with your mother, all the wonderful women in your life, and Mother Nature. 

Expand Learning Beyond the Classroom

Twice a year middle school students from around New Jersey experience hands-on marine environmental education at the Jersey Shore. Central and Northern County students visit Gateway National Recreation Area in Sandy Hook in May and Southern County students visit Island Beach State Park in October. The Student Summit is a great way to expand learning beyond the classroom.

Students get to learn about different marine animals and ecosystems at their location. In the Spring students learn about one of NJ’s unique and ancient marine animals, the horseshoe crab. Students learn about the life history of this species that pre-dates the dinosaurs, the myths about this animal, its role in the ecosystem, the biomedical and economic importance to humans, and how we have impacted the species. Students will be shown the proper way to handle the horseshoe crab so they can get a closer look at this valuable species.

In the fall, the students learn about terrapins, turtles that inhabit estuaries along the east and Gulf coasts of the United States. Students learn about the life history of this species, interesting variations in their marking attributed to genetic diversity, its role in the ecosystem, and how we have impacted the species. Students will be shown the proper way to hold and handle the terrapins so they can get a closer look at this interesting species.

Other activities at the Student Summit include an interactive series of work stations with a variety of hands-on activities for students to learn about the environment. Students will learn about the water quality approach to aquatic resource assessment by collecting and analyzing water samples. New Jersey is within the Atlantic Flyway, providing a diverse viewing of coastal birds throughout the year. Students will join local birding experts in a survey and identification of coastal birds. Waves, wind, and currents shape New Jersey's barrier beaches. By making a beach profile, students will understand sand distribution, beach zones, and tidal water levels. New Jersey’s estuaries offer a variety of habitats as important breeding, feeding, and nursery grounds for a diversity of fish and invertebrate species. Students will use seine nets and sieves to collect fish and invertebrates to observe and identify common marine animals found in the local bays. Students will learn about the types, quantities, and sources of marine debris plaguing our coastal region and will participate in a cleanup.

These hands on activities allow students to get out of the classroom and into nature. In this day and age it is important to get children back outside exploring their own backyard. During our Student Summits participating students not only get to learn about different species and issues, but get to hold the animals, collect samples, and see firsthand threats facing our coast. The Summit left a lasting impression on past participants and we encourage more schools to apply!

The deadline for the Spring Summit is April 24th. Apply today! 

More information on the Student Summit can be found on our website under Education Programs www.cleanoceanaction.org

Action Alert: Stop Seismic Testing Off New Jersey!

Despite the efforts of New Jersey elected officials, concerned citizens, and organizations like yours to close the door on seismic testing off our shores, we are now facing yet another seismic threat – this time right at our doorstep and happening already this summer.

Researchers at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (L-DEO), in collaboration with the National Science Foundation (NSF), have proposed a study of seafloor sediments 15 miles off the Barnegat Bay to better understand historical changes in sea level from 60 million years ago through the present.  The researchers propose to use powerful seismic airgun arrays to shoot blasts of compressed air deep into the seabed, similar to the process used to locate buried oil and gas deposits.  Furthermore, the airgun blasting would endure for 720 hours over a 30-day period.  The L-DEO researchers have requested authorization from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to “take” (i.e., harass) individuals from 26 marine mammal species during its study, which was conditionally granted on Monday, March 17 in a federal register notice of the proposed incidental harassment authorization.  The proposed authorization is an evaluation of information provided by L-DEO regarding its potential impacts on marine mammals and NMFS’s ultimate approval, despite evidence linking seismic activities to harm.

Proposed location off Barnegat Bay

The proposed authorization acknowledges the scarcity of data at several points throughout its discussion of potential impacts of seismic activity on marine mammals and other animals, yet it consistently writes off the impacts as negligible.  For example, the proposal states: “The sound criteria used to estimate how many marine mammals might be disturbed to some biologically-important degree by a seismic program are based primarily on behavioral observations of a few species…for many species there are no data on responses to marine seismic surveys.”  Given that 26 marine mammal species could potentially be impacted by this survey, 6 of which are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, it is concerning to see NMFS gloss over impacts in the absence of hard data instead of taking a more precautionary approach.

Furthermore, the proposed authorization references information that is irrelevant or even incorrect, and several instances of “cut and paste” from previously issued authorizations are evident.  For example, at one point, the notice states, “Additionally, no beaked whale species occur in the proposed seismic survey area,” even though earlier in the notice, six species of beaked whale are listed as potentially occurring in the proposed study area.  How can we rely on NMFS’s evaluation of impacts to marine mammals from this proposed seismic survey, when entire groups of marine mammals are erroneously omitted from their analysis?

Clean Ocean Action has already begun to develop its response to this proposal to blast the ocean with seismic airguns in the name of scientific research.  We first sent a letter to NMFS with over 30 signatories to request a 60-day extension to the 30-day comment period and a public hearing.  NMFS responded to COA on April 9th with the news that the comment period has been extended by 30 days, with a new deadline of May 16th; however, COA is still pushing for the full 60-day extension and a public hearing.  We are currently drafting detailed comments on the proposed authorization for submission to NMFS.

Seismic airguns, whatever the reason for their use, can have devastating impacts to cherished marine mammal species and vital coastal industries, including commercial and recreational fisheries and tourism.  Join Clean Ocean Action in defending our precious coastal resources from the far-reaching impacts of seismic testing.

Call on your local elected officials to pass a resolution opposing seismic testing – no matter the location or objective.

Click here for our fact sheet on this issue.

Please call Clean Ocean Action at 732.872.0111 or email Cassandra Ornell at science@cleanoceanaction.org with questions.  To get involved, email Lauren Townsend at ltownsend4@gmail.com. The clock is ticking…

High School Intern Shares His Love for the Environment

Derek Noah – Middletown High School South – Class of 2013

I have been working with Clean Ocean Action as a high school intern for two weeks now and I have loved every minute of it. COA is just the place for me since I am a huge nature and environment enthusiast. I have seen what it takes to save the ocean and the environment. COA has shown me how to be a go getter and to never give up on the environment. They have also taught me that whatever I do, do it for the environment.

I found my love for the environment early in high school and have pursued it ever since. I like to bike, hike, kayak and I enjoy the outdoors more than my friends. In fact, my friends make fun of me for being an outdoors enthusiast but it does not bother me because I know I am doing something that I am passionate about. The beauty of nature is so overwhelming and serene. I love how our planet is now and I want to preserve it for the rest of the generations to come. I want to protect and save the earth from human destruction.

I am attending Allegheny College, PA in the fall and I plan on majoring in Environmental Studies. The ideal job for me would be to become an environmental consultant. I want to help companies decide, environmentally and economically, what is the best choice. I want to make an impact. I want to save the environment and help others at the same time.

Thank you Clean Ocean Action!

Hundreds of Students Learn about the Ecological Effects of Superstorm Sandy

Sandy Hook Beaches, Trails, and Marshes Become Outdoor Classrooms at Clean Ocean Action’s Student Summit

Group on Tuesday, May 21

Students learning about horseshoe crabs on May 22

Over 600 middle school students and teachers, from 20 schools in Northern and Central New Jersey joined scientists and volunteer teachers for a day of learning on the beach at Clean Ocean Action’s two-day Annual Spring Student Summit held on May 21 and May 22. Students experienced hands-on marine environmental education by participating in six learning table activities and twelve interactive field trips. The beaches, trails, and marshes of Sandy Hook served as the outdoor classroom for the seaside symposium. This year, the round-table activities and interactive field trips are tied to the ecological effects of Superstorm Sandy.

Students participated in six hands-on learning table activities, which included live horseshoe crabs, identifying seashells, studying invertebrates, observing a model of nonpoint source pollution, and learning the effects of litter in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy on the marine environment. Students also participated in an activity showcasing the importance of dunes. Students from the Marine Academy of Science and Technology, a Monmouth County vocational high school located on Sandy Hook, served as peer teachers at the activity workstations.

In addition, naturalists and other education professionals led students in twelve field activities throughout the park. Students used seine nets to collect and identify common marine species of Sandy Hook Bay and learned about key bird species and the important role of Sandy Hook in bird migration. Students also participated in a beach cleanup, tested water quality, learned fishing & surfing techniques, traversed trails with park naturalists, and learned about beach profiling.


The 2013 Spring Student Summit was made possible by donations from private foundations, businesses, and citizens, including Provident Bank Foundation.

The following schools participated in the Spring Student Summit: 

May 21 Participating Schools: Timothy Christian (Piscataway), Asbury Park Middle (Asbury Park), Carl Sandburg Middle (Old Bridge), Colin Powell Elementary (Union City), Lincoln Elementary (Caldwell), Long Branch Middle (Long Branch), Memorial (S. Hackensack), Our Lady of the Lake (Verona), Sacred Heart School (Morris), Saint Jerome (W. Long Branch), South Orange Middle (S. Orange), St. Joseph Regional (Newton).

May 22 Participating Schools: Academy Middle (Jersey City), Joao Antao (Elizabeth), Long Branch Middle (Long Branch), Memorial (Washington), Newark Christian (Newark), Passaic Art and Science Charter (Passaic), St. Andrew the Apostle (Clifton), The OLC School (Jersey City)

About COA’s Student Summits:

For 25 years, Clean Ocean Action’s Summits have reached over 15,000 students in New Jersey, expanding learning beyond the classroom. The Summit program presents students with an interdisciplinary marine and environmental education experience that complements the NJ Science Standards.

COA invites northern and central New Jersey public and private schools to the Spring Student Summit, which is held in mid-May at Sandy Hook. The Fall Student Summit takes place in early October, at Island Beach State Park for southern public and private schools. Schools are mailed applications prior to the Summits and are accepted based on the application and availability. 

For information on additional COA educational programs or events, visit www.CleanOceanAction.org or call COA’s Main Office at (732) 872-0111.