Superstorm Sandy-Inspired Education: First 'Virtual Teach-In' on Climate Issues a Success

Photo Credit: Basil Henning

For the November Wave of Action, COA compiled educational materials from national and international sources that creatively and clearly present complex climate issues.  Materials were sorted by topic and age with resources available for K-12.  Topics included Climate Change, Global Warming, Sea Level Rise, Your Carbon Footprint, Greenhouse Gases, and the Science Behind Hurricanes and Superstorm Sandy.

Over 87 educators throughout New York and New Jersey, and even Australia, who represented 77 schools, 6 groups, 1 Cub Scout Troop, and 3 homeschoolers, signed up to bring the resources into their classrooms.

“I envision that in the future these 5th graders could find themselves in a meaningful conversation where they can contribute their ideas in their second language to help the environment.  We stressed in class that these issues were not isolated to New Jersey or to the United States, but rather a global issue that demands we work together internationally,” explained Knollwood School Spanish Teacher Basil Henning.

“Thank you for the abundance of educational information that you provided for my students. I was happy to participate and I believe my students gained tremendous insight into the conditions that set these storms into motion and the devastation that they can cause to the communities that they impact,” stated Woodlynne Public School Science Teacher Renae Vannais.

Climate change education is important every day of the year, especially now in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. Many voices around the world are making the connection between the Typhoon and climate change. In fact, the UN Conference on Climate Change is currently meeting in Poland.

Please visit ForTheShore.org to access COA's resources and lesson plans on climate change any day of the year. 

Join us in celebrating the culmination of Waves of Action For The Shore, Clean Ocean Action’s year-long Sandy response program, on Saturday, December 7 from 8:30AM-12:00PM at McLoone’s Pier House in Long Branch, NJ.  Almost 14,000 volunteers (and counting) have helped to improve and protect the marine environment through 281 projects, with more than 100 different organizations, in over 70 towns in New York and New Jersey.  For more information and to reserve your seat at this breakfast event, click here.

Waves of Action Culminates with Conference

Highlights Year-Long Spirit of Volunteerism
 and Collaboration Responding to Sandy 

WHAT: A conference to celebrate the culmination of Waves of Action For The Shore, Clean Ocean Action’s year-long Sandy response program.  Almost 14,000 volunteers (and counting) have helped to improve and protect the marine environment through 281 projects, with more than 100 different organizations, in over 70 towns in New York and New Jersey.  The conference will highlight the extraordinary success of the volunteers and project leaders, include panels on unmet community needs in the aftermath of Sandy, resources to move forward with resiliency and environmental stewardship, and the results of Clean Ocean Action’s sea level rise survey.  Reflections will be made by Monmouth County resident, Brian Thompson, New Jersey reporter for NBC New York.

COA’s Student Ocean Advocates helped Conserve Wildlife Foundation
of NJ replace osprey nests damaged by Sandy in Stafford Twp NJ on March 23!

WHO: Citizens, volunteers, businesses, groups, and elected officials organized by Clean Ocean Action to show their support for coastal communities one year after the launch of the Waves of Action For The Shore program.

WHEN: Saturday, December 7, 2013                       
8:30AM-12:00PM

WHERE: McLoone’s Pier House
1 Ocean Ave, Long Branch, New Jersey

                                

WHY: After a year of service and action, the conference will highlight the spirit of volunteerism and collaboration projects, and discuss the state of our shores one year after Sandy, and look ahead to 2014.

For more information and to reserve your seat at this breakfast event, click here.

Sandy Hook volunteers with Presidential Inaugural
Committee representatives on January 19, 2013

Conference Sponsors: Whole Earth Center of Princeton and Mimosa Bar by Barefoot Wine and Bubbly

To find out more information on sponsoring the event and supporting thousands of volunteers who have helped protect and improve the marine environment, contact Diana Reinhardt Paradis at (732) 872-0111.

Superstorm Sandy Inspired Education: First Virtual 'Teach-In' on Climate Issues November 13-15

Coalition Calling For Teachers to Educate Students on Climate Change, Sea Level Rise, Severe Weather, and Solutions

Clean Ocean Action is inviting teachers, instructors, and educators to participate in a program to bring climate issues into the classroom for three days in November as a part of Waves of Action For The Shore.  The Waves of Action initiative was created after Superstorm Sandy to help coastal communities recover. 

For the November Waves focus, Clean Ocean Action compiled educational materials from national and international sources that creatively and clearly present complex scientific issues.  These resources include videos, activity booklets, and pre-written interactive lesson plans.  Materials are sorted by topic and age groups with resources available for all grades from K-12.  Teachers will also be asked for feedback and input about their experience to help COA gain insights on how to improve climate education initiatives.

“We believe there is something inspiring, cathartic, and exciting about collectively taking part in shared education activities,” said Cindy Zipf, Clean Ocean Action Executive Director. “They bring people together for a common goal; here in the NY/NJ region, education about the impacts from Superstorm Sandy and climate threats are essential to improving our future resiliency and environmental stewardship,” she added.

Registered teachers will be given online resources on the following topics to be presented to their classes any time from Wednesday, November 13^th through Friday, November 15^th:

• Superstorm Sandy: What Do We Know?
• Climate Change/Global Warming
• Sea Level Rise: Cause and Effect
• Climate Change Water Impacts: Droughts, Floods, & Ocean Acidification
• Energy Use, Your Carbon Footprint, & Solutions

“We are asking teachers, scout leaders, school club advisors, and other educators from across New Jersey and New York to take part in the first ‘Virtual Teach-In’ and educate their students during November 13-15,” said Catie Tobin Clean Ocean Action Ocean Advocacy and Education Fellow. “This is a great opportunity for educational leaders in the community to expand understanding of climate issues in an interactive way,” Tobin explained.

To receive information educators are being asked to register on the Waves of Action website, www.ForTheShore.org.  Once registered, they will be sent links to the online educational activities. Teachers will also be asked for feedback and input about the Virtual Teach-In and invited to suggest ideas and activities.  

Reflections on Superstorm Sandy, One Year Later: An Open Letter

Dear Friends: 

The one year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy will be a time of reflection. For most of the millions affected by power outages and infrastructure failures, the anniversary will be a memory of lack of water, cold temperatures and shared generators. But for thousands of those with homes and businesses hit by the storm surge, Sandy is still a devastating reality. Some reconstruction has been completed, but many are still closer to the start than to the finish. Most of these storm survivors have been victims of another flood - of paperwork and bureaucracy by insurance companies and/or government. 

Baywood Swamp, Brick, NJ
Before and After Waves of Action volunteers cleaned the area

Clean Ocean Action focused on responding with Waves of Action For The Shore - directing almost 14,000 volunteers to projects for citizens, communities, and habitats in need. 

Going forward, there are decisions that our leaders must make - how can we better prepare with resiliency and environmental stewardship? How do we sustain a clean ocean economy for boating, diving, surfing, and tourism, but respond to inevitable sea level rise and extreme weather? To reduce the devastation, these questions need to be answered prospectively, before the storms hit. Toward that end, Clean Ocean Action is working with the New Jersey Recovery Fund on legislative and policy actions with American Littoral Society and NY/NJ Baykeeper.

In addition, COA is supporting US Strong, a national, non-partisan initiative to establish an Extreme Weather Relief and Protection Fund to protect families and homes. It would provide for resilient infrastructure and ensure environmental stewardship. Recent studies prove that every $1 dollar spent to prevent devastation from storms, saves $9 of clean up and recovery costs.

There are also individual actions we can all take now to reduce climate change, accelerated sea level rise and increased pollution. Severe weather and its devastation costs impact all of us. We can help reduce these impacts. 

Step one: reduce, reuse, recycle, repeat. We can all take simple, yet meaningful actions that,

together, can have profound benefits! First and foremost, use less energy: as if the planet depends on it - because it does! Join us for the NEXT WAVE OF ACTION FOR THE SHORE and BEYOND. Look for new postings each month where we will suggest ways that we can reduce energy use without impacting the quality of life. The added benefit will be saving money. There will be more for the children's college fund or taking an eco-vacation, with less cost to the planet. Let's make it a joint adventure: a reality show with a purpose.

Cindy Zipf, Clean Ocean Action Executive Director


Clean Ocean Action Wants Your Input

To help Clean Ocean Action gauge public opinion on sea level rise and climate change in coastal communities affected by Superstorm Sandy, please fill out COA's citizen survey here. COA will begin compiling the survey data on Friday, November 1.  This week is your last chance to add your voice to COA’s survey!

As we look back at all that has been accomplished since Superstorm Sandy, we would like to hear from someone important — you. Clean Ocean Action wants to hear about programs or projects that promote environmental stewardship and resiliency in your town. Add to what COA has already started compiling:

• Has your town created an innovative, green project?
• Has your town brought volunteers together for community service?
• Do you know a business or homeowner that has rebuilt sustainably?
• On the other hand, have you seen rebuilding projects that you believe do not promote coastal resiliency?

Email Sean Dixon at policy@cleanoceanaction.org.  COA might add your ideas to the upcoming Waves of Action Conference and Awards on Saturday, December 7.

Citizen Journalism: How the Internet Will Cover the Next Superstorm

Join our friends at The Citizens Campaign for a series on Citizen Journalism in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.  The first of three events will take place on Saturday, October 5 in Toms River, New Jersey.  Titled Information Matters: Getting the Real Story, participants will learn the skills to track and report town news.  Break out sessions include:

• Fact Finding & Reporting: collecting the facts and information to get the story 
• Capturing the Perfect Shot: video and photo journalism
• How to Conduct a Study with Engaging Techniques:  how to conduct your own "study circles" with your neighbors on important issues
• News Writing 101: crafting effective hard news stories & opinion pieces; interviewing skills

For more information and to RSVP for the October 5 event, click here.

The second session will be held on Saturday, November 2, at Monmouth University's Club at Magill Commons in West Long Branch, NJ.  This half-day training will give you the tools to tell powerful stories online, called It Takes a Village: Working Together Online. Breakout sessions include:

• How to set up your own blog
• Visual & Photo Journalism
• Crowd Sourcing News
• Mapping out a Story

For more information and to RSVP for the November 2 event, click here.

The final session, Eyewitness Reports: Are We Ready or Not? will be held at Middlesex County College in Edison, NJ on Saturday, November 16. The Citizens Campaign is bringing in top investative reporters and officials to discuss whether or not our towns are ready in the event of another emergency. Breakout sessions include:

• Investigative Reporting: what questions you should be asking in your town?
• Mapping out a Story
• Upgrading Our Towns Emergency Communications: innovative ways towns are using technology in times of emergency
• How to Start Your Own Blog

For more information and to RSVP for the November 16 event, click here.

Environmental Candidate Forums For Citizens About Sandy Long-Term Recovery

Two forums will be held next week providing citizens with an opportunity to have their voices heard on important environmental issues by candidates for state legislative offices. The forums will be held on Tuesday, September 24 in Loveladies, NJ and on Thursday, September 26 in Wall, NJ.  Citizens will be provided an opportunity to ask questions to their legislative candidates about their environmental concerns. 

A Coastal Candidates Environmental Forum for the 9^th Legislative District, organized by Clean Ocean Action, ReClam The Bay and Alliance for a Living Ocean, will be held on Tuesday, September 24 in Loveladies on Long Beach Island, NJ at the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences.  From 7pm-8:30pm, community members will have the opportunity to participate in a discussion with candidates running in the 9^th District about environmental issues, and will have the opportunity to ask questions about Superstorm Sandy and the rebuilding process, offshore Liquefied Natural Gas, fracking/fracking waste, and other key environmental issues.  The discussion will be moderated by ReClam The Bay President Rick Bushnell.  To register for the event or to submit questions in advance for the candidates visit ForTheShore.org. 

“The Long Beach Island Foundation is very pleased to host the “Meet the Candidates” sponsored by Clean Ocean Action.  The activity is part of mission of Long Beach Island Foundation: to provide a forum where our community can become informed about science, art and timely topics of importance to us all. The Science Committee at the Long Beach Island Foundation has been very active in efforts to improve the environment, especially on LBI and is happy to provide a place where our citizen neighbors can interact with the policy makers. The Long Beach Island Foundation wants to thank Clean Ocean Action for producing this event,” said ReClam The Bay President Rick Bushnell.

Coastal candidates that will be attending the environmental forum on September 24 include:

• Republican candidate for State Senate Senator Christopher Connors
• Democratic candidate for State Assembly Peter Ferwerda
• Democratic candidate for State Assembly Chris McManus
• Republican candidate for State Assembly Assemblywoman Diane Gove
• Republican candidate for State Assembly Assemblyman Brian Rumpf

“With our area in a critical state of change due to the ongoing impacts of Superstorm Sandy, it is critical to discuss the candidate's views on the myriad of issues facing our coastal environment and way of life. As always, ALO continues to work to identify politicians who share our values,” explained Alliance for a Living Ocean Executive Director Chris Huch.

“This event, hosted by these outstanding environmental leaders, provides citizens with a rare opportunity to discuss key policy issues in a forum where they can hear views of the candidates.  We hope citizens will take advantage of this important meeting to express their concerns for the future of Jersey Shore,” stated Clean Ocean Action Executive Director Cindy Zipf.

The Wall Township Environmental Advisory Committee’s Annual Environmental Summit will be held on Thursday, September 26, from 7pm-8pm at the Wall Township Municipal Building in Wall, NJ.  Citizens are invited to meet the New Jersey 30^th Legislative Representatives to discuss environmental legislation, concerns, and issues. Community members will have the opportunity to ask questions about open space preservation, tree removal, overdevelopment, recycling and composting, watershed funding and other conservations measures.  For more information, visit www.ForTheShore.org.

District 30 Legislative Members that will be attending the environmental summit on September 26 include the following candidates:

• Senator Robert Singer (R)
• Assemblyman Sean Kean (R)
• Assemblyman David Rible (R)

The 9^th Legislative District Coastal Candidates Environmental Forum and Annual Environmental Summit are a part of Clean Ocean Action’s September Series.  Throughout the month of September, Clean Ocean Action is urging citizens to assist in the long-term recovery of the coast by participating in coastal candidate forums, environmental summits and other events through Waves of Action ‘For The Shore.’  Events are being organized by outstanding business and community leaders, and will begin on Monday, September 16 and continue through Saturday, September 28.  Participants can register online and submit questions for the candidates at www.ForTheShore.org. 

   

This September Series is a part of Waves of Action ‘For the Shore,’ a one-year program created last December to help respond to the impacts of Superstorm Sandy by improving and protecting the marine environment.  Clean Ocean Action has joined townships, businesses, homeowners, and civic organizations with thousands of volunteers along the shore to help communities most affected by the storm. 

Since December 2012, community leaders have registered 226 service projects, clean ups, workshops, and outings that have sent over 11,800 volunteers to 70 different towns in New York and New Jersey to help out.  For more information, visit www.ForTheShore.org.

Join Clean Ocean Action on Thursday, October 10, for Seaside Sunset at McLoone’s Pier House in Long Branch, NJ.  Enjoy dinner and dancing overlooking the ocean and support Clean Ocean Action’s environmental education programs.  For more information, to purchase tickets or to learn more about becoming a Seaside Sunset sponsor click here.

Clean Ocean Action Joins 'The Next Wave'

TEDxNavesink: The Next Wave
Friday, September 20, 2013
8 a.m. -- 7 p.m.
Brookdale Community College Performing Arts Center, Lincroft, NJ

This Friday, September 20, over 360 guests will fill the Brookdale Community College Performing Arts Center to listen to New Jersey's community leaders present their contributions, thoughts and visions for the future of the New Jersey Shore.  TEDx Navesink is the first ever TEDx (x = independently organized TED event) organized in Monmouth County, NJ and will feature Clean Ocean Action's own Executive Director Cindy Zipf and Coastal Policy Attorney Sean Dixon.

Zipf and Dixon are two of 24 live talks and 100 minutes of live and pre-recorded material from TEDxCity2.0 in Times Square NYC and other major cities around the world to be shown during TEDxNavesink.

Zipf will be presenting “The Clean Ocean Zone — Our Future Ocean.” Zipf will address the need for the establishment of a Clean Ocean Zone off New Jersey and New York. 

Making the NY/NJ Bight the nation’s first “Clean Ocean Zone” would lock-out harmful, polluting, industrial activities off our coast, and lock-in permanent protection for future generations. The “Clean Ocean Zone” is a federal initiative drafted by citizens just like you who care about the quality of the ocean and its future.  If implemented, the COZ will:

Reduce Pollution • Protect Marine Ecosystems • Support Clean Ocean Uses

To learn more about the Clean Ocean Zone, click here.

Cindy Zipf and Dery Bennett at the
Fall 1992 Beach Sweeps Press Conference

Zipf will kick off the TEDx Navesink event as a successful coalition builder, who has established the Mid--Atlantic region’s largest, most effective voice for the ocean and is a leader in forming national coalitions with groups throughout the country for almost 30 years.

She is a proven campaigner to protect the ocean as evidenced by the precedent setting closure of eight major ocean dumpsites in the Mid-Atlantic. Cindy led efforts that resulted in the passage of several pieces of landmark federal and state legislation, including the end of the nation’s ocean incineration and dumping industries, and a successful campaign to designate the nation’s first Ocean Remediation Site.

Cindy Zipf at the Spring 2013 LNG Public Hearing in Sea Bright, NJ

Also speaking is Sean Dixon, Clean Ocean Action Coastal Policy Attorney. Dixon's talk is entitled “Energy Exports: Good, Bad, Ugly, and What You Need to Know.” At Clean Ocean Action, Dixon’s work ranges broadly from dredged materials and coastal water quality to LNG imports/exports, offshore oil and gas activities, climate change, and coastal development.

Sean Dixon at the Spring 2013 LNG Public Hearing in Sea Bright, NJ

Interestingly enough, TED and Clean Ocean Action both began in 1984.  TED began as a conference bringing together experts from technology, entertainment and design.  Today, TED organizes two annual conferences, the TED Conference and TEDGlobal, and includes the award-winning TED Talks video site, the Open Translation Project and TED Conversations, TED Fellows, Tedx programs and the annual TED Prize.  

For more information and to view the event schedule, visit TedxNavesink.com, follow TedXNavesink on Twitter, and 'like' on Facebook.

Showcase Your Support for the Shore and Our Oceans

An update from Manager of Development and External Affairs, Diana Reinhardt Paradis:

“Seaside greetings from Clean Ocean Action!  Thanks to the generous support of friends like you, Clean Ocean Action has been working to assist our coastal communities as they recover from Superstorm Sandy and continue to improve and protect the marine environment.  

As we look ahead to fall, I am excited to announce three important opportunities for you to showcase your support for the shore and our oceans:

Seaside Sunset – October 10:  Our fall season will start with a benefit evening that will raise important funds for our youth education programs.  Join us for this special evening by the ocean for the ocean!

Fall Beach Sweeps – October 19:  The largest grassroots environmental event in New Jersey, with thousands of volunteers participating up and down the coast. State, county and individual sites sponsorships available. 

Waves of Action Conference and Awards – December 7:  Our continued response to Superstorm Sandy, the Waves of Action Conference and Awards will celebrate the achievements of the almost 12,000 volunteers (so far this year) who have worked to make improve and protect the marine environment.  


In recognition of the strong support for Clean Ocean Action from the community, we are also pleased to introduce a new benefit.  If your company is a premier level sponsor for an individual event, or sponsors two of the three events listed above, we are pleased to grant your company a complimentary Corporate Beach Sweep – a $1,500 value.  Corporate Beach Sweeps are the perfect team-building event, providing a day of service, learning, and fun in the sun at the shore.  Please visit CleanOceanAction.org to learn more about our Corporate Beach Sweeps.  

Your thoughtful participation as a sponsor would help to ensure that our fundraising efforts take off on a wave of success.  If you are a business owner, or know of a business who might be interested in supporting our ocean protection work and youth education programs, please feel free to contact me anytime.”

For questions about sponsorship opportunities with Clean Ocean Action, contact Diana Reinhardt Paradis at development@cleanoceanaction.org, or by phone at (732) 872-0111.

Turn The Tide On Sea Level Rise

Grassroots Campaign Focuses on 

Tackling Sea Level Rise Awareness

Including Study on Perceptions and Opinions

Today, environmental advocates gathered at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach to wrap up this year’s C.O.A.S.T. (Clean Ocean Action Shore Tips) Campaign, highlighting the launch of a sea-level rise survey, tip-card for citizens, and a new national initiative called US Strong. 

C.O.A.S.T. is an annual summer outreach campaign that raises awareness among beachgoers and coastal citizens about current ocean pollution and industrialization issues.  The C.O.A.S.T. campaign organizes volunteers to set up and staff information and action tables at beach locations in Monmouth and Ocean Counties on weekend in July and August. This summer, additional tables were set up at festivals as several beaches could not accommodate the campaign due to complications from Superstorm Sandy. Despite the setbacks from the storm, the volunteers were able to reach hundreds of citizens at dozens of locations. Volunteers also sold campaign merchandise to raise funds for Clean Ocean Action’s efforts to stop ocean pollution.

It has been nearly ten months since Superstorm Sandy devastated the Jersey Shore. What Sandy destroyed in 36 hours will take years to restore. This summer’s C.O.A.S.T. campaign focused on educating the public about the imminent threat of sea level rise in an effort to prevent the same kind of destruction from occurring again. At each table a new card from Clean Ocean Action’s “10 Tips” series were given out that outlines what steps the public can take to protect themselves from such devastation in the future.

“Until recently, many New Jerseyans were unaware of what climate change meant to them; it was a vague term that had no face,” said Cindy Zipf, Executive Director of Clean Ocean Action. “Superstorm Sandy gave us a harsh devastating glimpse of the threats and realities of sea level rise, but we now have a window of opportunity to help inform citizens about what is at stake and how they can prepare and respond to keep them safe from future storms,” Zipf added.

Yesterday, Governor Christie and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan called for creating more resilient communities through long term planning. This year’s C.O.A.S.T. campaign got to the grassroots of that endeavor. The campaign provided coastal citizens with the tools to become more aware of the pressing issues related to sea level rise.

“Clean Ocean Action's work to educate the public about the threat and reality of sea level rise is vital," said Lauren Townsend, New Jersey Director of US Strong. "Between sea level rise and extreme weather events like Superstorm Sandy, we need real protections and disaster relief to protect our communities. Establishing a federal extreme weather relief and protection fund will help vulnerable communities respond to sea level rise and extreme weather events that are becoming common place across the nation.  Acting now will save money and, more importantly, save lives."

The C.O.A.S.T. campaign also launched Clean Ocean Action’s new citizen’s survey on sea level rise. The survey will gauge public perception on what should be done to prevent sea level-related devastation, and whose responsibility it is.

“The Jersey Shore bounced back from the storm with the kind of resilience and determination that you would expect from New Jerseyans,” said Macailagh McCue, Clean Ocean Action’s C.O.A.S.T. Intern, “however there is a great deal of rebuilding and planning that still needs to be done. The citizen’s survey will help Clean Ocean Action to determine what the best actions are moving forward, and who should be responsible for protecting our homes and communities from this kind of catastrophe in the future.”

To fill out the survey and voice your opinion on this important issue, click here or call Clean Ocean Action at (732) 872-0111 for more information.

Help Turn the Tide on Sea Level Rise with COA

Next week Clean Ocean Action will host two “Pizza Parties with a Purpose”.

The purpose? – To discuss seal level rise and how it is impacting the Jersey Shore and your community.

Seal level rise is posing a greater threat to the Jersey Shore than ever before. Our homes, local businesses, and marine life are all more vulnerable than they were a hundred years ago. Super-storm Sandy devastated our communities and forever changed our landscape. Though the storm was extreme, scientists have made it clear that we need to prepare for ongoing sea level rise, storm surges, and more frequent and severe storms in the future. We need to take action now to address these impacts.

So where do you come in?

These pizza parties will allow you to learn about how sea level rise is impacting New Jersey and the world. Furthermore, you will learn what you can do to help educate and motivate people to reduce the impacts of sea level rise and climate change. Come enjoy a night of free pizza and meet COA staff and other volunteers. They will discuss how you can become more involved with Clean Ocean Action, and help turn the tide on sea level rise!

Come to one of the following events to find out more:

Wednesday, June 26, 2013 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Ocean County Vocational Technical School: Toms River Center
1299 Old Freehold Road
Toms River, NJ 08753

Thursday, June 27, 2013 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Monmouth Beach Cultural Center
128 Ocean Ave, Monmouth Beach, NJ 07750

To RSVP, please contact Macailagh McCue, COAST Coordinator at coast@cleanoceanaction.org

Jersey Girl Returns Home for the Summer from JMU

Macailagh McCue - James Madison University Class of 2013 - Summer COAST Intern

While I was always interested in environmental issues when I was younger, I didn't discover my love for environmental policy until my senior year of high school. Taking AP Environmental Science taught me a lot, and opened my eyes to the impact that I was personally having on the environment. While in college, I studied public policy and political science, but after interning at the EPA in Washington, DC, I knew that I wanted to work in the environmental field. I recently graduated from James Madison University in Virginia, and will return in the fall as a graduate student pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree.

I've lived near the beach my whole life and my friends at school know how badly I miss it during the year. Being in Virginia was hard for me when Superstorm Sandy hit because I knew that my friends and family at home were struggling so badly. All I wanted for weeks was to come home and help, so I’m happy that this summer I can work for an organization that allows me to do my part to help the shore and the ocean.

I have been working at Clean Ocean Action for almost a month and have learned so much about ocean pollution issues. For my internship I am coordinating this year’s C.O.A.S.T (Clean Ocean Action Shore Tips) campaign. It’s an outreach campaign that allows COA to inform beachgoers about important ocean issues, such as LNG and sea level rise. If you’d like to volunteer with this year’s campaign, email me at Coast@CleanOceanAction.org!

Start Off Your Summer Right: Volunteer to Help Communities Affected by Sandy

Calling All Volunteers!

Help Make a Difference in Coastal Communities After Sandy

Join Clean Ocean Action and over 15 other organizations, businesses and municipalities on Saturday, June 22nd for the Sixth
Wave of Action "For the Shore."

There are still projects in need of volunteers for June 22!

Projects in New Jersey:

Middlesex County
Old Bridge

Monmouth County

Sandy Hook
Spring Lake
Aberdeen

Long Branch

Neptune City
Bradley Beach

Ocean County

Island Beach State Park
Island Heights

Cape May County

Cape May

Projects in New York:

Staten Island

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.

Superstorm Sandy Volunteer Opportunities - Saturday, May 18, 2013

CLEAN OCEAN ACTION URGES CITIZENS TO GET
‘BACK TO THE BEACH’

Volunteers to Help and Enjoy Beaches By Day,
Celebrate Their Success By Night – Saturday, May 18

WHO: Volunteers, businesses, groups, and elected officials who support clean ocean economies and ecosystems after Superstorm Sandy.

WHEN: Saturday, May 18, 2013                

              Times vary, visit www.ForTheShore.org for site specific details

              Back to the Beach Ball Event 7-10 PM

WHAT: The May 18 Waves of Action are events that protect and promote the natural beauty of the coast as well as enticements to get people Back to the Beach, showcasing the New York and New Jersey shores.

In the evening, Clean Ocean Action is hosting the Back to the Beach Ball, a party to highlight and appreciate the thousands of Waves of Action volunteers and supporters.

WHERE:  Over 15 projects across New York and New Jersey from Staten Island, NY to Brigantine, NJ.  

Back to the Beach Ball to follow at Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel  1401 Oceanfront Avenue Asbury Park, NJ. Click here for a complete list of sites, meeting locations and party details.

                

WHY: COA continues to support the coalition of organizations, businesses, citizens and municipalities from Cape May to Montauk to help areas in need after Superstorm Sandy.  Waves of Action For The Shore will continue through 2013 with debris clean ups, sustainable development plans, projects to improve water quality, and events to get the public back to the beach. 

PHOTO OPS: Citizens of all ages picking up debris from our shore. Groups include scouts, school, church, employees, and organizations.  COA volunteers and supporters enjoying the party and dancing to the reggae music of Predator Dub Assassins.

See www.ForTheShore.org for sponsorship information and to purchase Back to the Beach Ball tickets.

Battered Beaches Benefit from Beach Sweeps

BATTERED BEACHES BENEFIT FROM BEACH SWEEPS

Thousands of Volunteers Helped Restore NJ Beaches and Waterways after Superstorm Sandy – Annual Spring Beach Sweeps – Saturday, April 27

Coastal New Jersey – Today, thousands of volunteers hit the beaches to participate in Clean Ocean Action's (COA) 28th Annual Spring Beach Sweeps at over 65 sites along the Jersey Shore. Volunteers removed and catalogued each piece of debris to document ongoing pollution issues, making Beach Sweeps the first tally of debris since Superstorm Sandy.  Robust crowds were reported up and down the coast.

  

 This year, Beach Sweeps has been folded into Clean Ocean Action’s Wave of Action For The Shore program, a monthly volunteer initiative started in December 2012 to help the people, businesses, habitats and waterways of New York and New Jersey affected by Superstorm Sandy.  Beach Sweeps will be the first Wave of Action where data will be collected, a vital addition which will help inform citizens and elected officials of pollution problems after Superstorm Sandy.

“This is the first event where we will be collecting data from clean-up activities since Superstorm Sandy, said Clean Ocean Action Executive Director Cindy Zipf. “The outpouring of support from citizens has been inspiring, and we are looking forward to a great day,” she added.

The data collected today will be combined with data collected at the Fall Beach Sweep in October, and then analyzed and presented in an annual report. These annual reports identify pollution problems, educate citizens on the types and quantities of debris, aid legislators in passing and enforcing laws to protect the marine environment, and contribute to local and international efforts to combat marine pollution.  Clean Ocean Action released the 2012 Annual Beach Sweep Report last week (available at www.cleanoceanaction.org).

“Clean Ocean Action is excited to integrate the 28th Annual Spring Beach Sweeps as part of the Waves of Action, a year-long initiative to recover and restore the NY/NJ coastline after the devastation of Sandy,” commented Tavia Danch, Clean Ocean Action Program Manager. “Sandy hit the Jersey Shore hard and littered our beaches with a huge amount of debris,” added Danch.

Key to the program’s success are the Beach Captains that lead each of the Beach Sweeps locations. These dedicated volunteers manage the activities.

“Thank you to everyone who generously volunteers their time to the COA Beach Sweeps. Without your participation this event would not be such a success. This year, as a result of the devastation of Storm Sandy, your participation is needed more than ever,” said Asbury Park North Beach Captain Ann Abbate.

“More now than ever we need your support and sense of pride in your beach community,” explained Franz Adler Margate Beach Captain.  “We know Sandy knocked us down, but the true measure is how well we get back up,” he added.

“Thanks to Clean Ocean Action and all the many volunteers that care enough and come out to make a difference. I hope one day there will be no need for Beach Sweeps because our oceans and beaches will be clean,” remarked Middle School Student and Union Beach Captain Peter Donnelly.  “Until then you will find me cleaning our oceans and streams every chance I get,” he said.

The Spring Beach Sweeps were made possible by support from generous sponsors.  The Statewide Sponsors for the 2013 Beach Sweeps are Atlantic City Electric, Aveda, BD, Brook 35 & West, Comcast, Montecalvo Material Recovery Facility, Wakefern/ShopRite, South Jersey Industries, TD Bank (South Jersey and Monmouth County Sponsor) The Grove at Shrewsbury and United Teletech Financial.

The Site Sponsors for the 2013 Beach Sweeps are Adventure Aquarium, Brookdale Community College, Enterprise Rent A Car, New Jersey Natural Gas, Paul V. Fernicola & Associates, Rotary Club International District 7510, Surfrider Foundation, Jersey Shore Chapter and Surfrider Foundation, South Jersey Chapter.

Spring 2013 Beach Sweeps Highlights and Unusual Items Found:

• Raritan Bay Waterfront Park (South Amboy) – Volunteers found an unexploded ordnance! The county police and state police bomb squad response unit arrived on the scene.  

• Seaside Park  – Beach Sweepers found stuffed animals from the boardwalk, debris from the log flume ride, a sea horse, jawbone of a fish, toy saxophone and a piece of coal.  A coal barge was sunk off Seaside Park in 1903 and Superstorm Sandy has moved the barge around a bit and loosened the coal.  The Beach Captain at Seaside Park, John Peterson was given a Community Builder Award by Mayor Matthies for his involvement in Beach Sweeps for over 13 years.

• Atlantic Highlands – A record number of volunteers at Atlantic Highlands filled over 3 dumpsters full of debris.  The dumpsters were generously brought by Matt and Rich of J.H. Reid Construction based in South Plainfield, NJ.  The Harbor Master, John was also a huge help.

• Sandy Hook – Over 720 volunteers found a backpack full of personal belongings and enough lumber and debris to over fill the dumpster!  Senator Frank Pallone spoke on site as well.

• Atlantic City – Senator Jim Whelan joined volunteers and Atlantic City Electric President Vince Maione.

• Belmar 1^st Avenue – Over 150 Beach Sweepers found tiles from the old public restrooms of the Belmar boardwalk.

• Keansburg – 125+ volunteers found a lot of medical waste.

• Pt. Pleasant Beach, Maryland Avenue – Over 50 volunteers found a 55 gallon plastic drum syringe, cans, bottles, roofing and some dog poop!

• Wildwood, Poplar Avenue – 70+ Beach Sweepers found a hard drive, fake flowers, a boogie board and a welcome mat.

• Union Beach – Over 100 volunteers found a garden gnome and enjoyed an after party organized by Barefoot Wine.  Another after party was held down in North Wildwood.

• Sea Bright – A record number of volunteers came into Sea Bright today, so many that COA staff had to deliver more supplies!