Katina Tsakiris, former assistant program director of the Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center, developed the Sedge blog because she was inspired by Linn Pierson's "Nestbox News." Katina has suggested that we dedicate the Sedge Blog to Linn (see article below.) I think I can speak for all Friends of Sedge as well as all program participants when I say we would be honored to dedicate the Sedge blog to Linn Pierson.
NOTE: As many of you know, the falcons in Jersey City (and most of those found in the northeastern United States) are likely descendents of the first birds brough from Alaska to Sedge Island Marine Conservation Zone by Pete McLain in the late 1970's . This spring our falcons have three chicks in the nest. Linn must be smiling down on these tiny birds. Logon to njfishandwildlife.com to see Linn's birds in Jersey City. Then come see ours in real life.
April 10, 2007
We are extremely saddened to report that Linn Pierson, naturalist and author of Nestbox News since 2002, has passed away from cancer. Linn combined her passion for peregrine falcons with her brilliant writing skills to paint a picture for readers of Nestbox News. She was the interpreter of the nest-box and roof-top action, putting the pieces into the context of the entire nesting season and the life history of peregrines.
We know from your feedback and donations that thousands of viewers looked forward to new entries in the log, and we attribute that popularity to Linn?s beautiful writing and shared enthusiasm for her favorite birds. In addition to her involvement in Jersey City, she monitored the re-establishment of peregrines on their historic cliff areas in the Palisades, and surveyed everything from songbirds to eagles for the Endangered and Nongame Species Program. Labors of love, all. As is so often the case with wildlife, there are the heights of joy in life and the tragedies of untimely death. Linn wrote about both so eloquently.
New Jersey's wildlife conservation community, and especially the Endangered and NongameSpecies Program and the Conserve Wildlife Foundation, lost a great ally and friend yesterday. Soar high and free, Linn - we will miss you so.
We dedicate this 2007 peregrine season to our friend, Linn Pierson.
Taken from the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife's website - Please visit the Peregrine webcam page and the Nestbox News
Friday, May 25, 2007
Happy (almost) Memorial Day Weekend
Here is the latest intern news.
Last week Emily and I set up a few trials for her shellfish scholarship project. We had oysters vs mussels filtering competition at both the New Jersey Marine Education's Teach at the Beach on Friday and Ocean Fun Day at Island Beach State Park on Saturday. (If you don't know who wins this competition every time, you better contact Emily ASAP.) Alton and Semantha also helped out at Ocean Fun Day answering questions and talking with people at the Sedge display and the Stockton College display respectively. I received many comments about how good these young people are. I was very proud!
Rutgers University students and faculty visited Sedge this week. Semantha did a great job working with the first group from Rutgers staying for all three days. Alton was there for the beginning, left for the ReClam the Bay meeting Tuesday night, and then returned on Wednesday for one group to leave and another to arrive. Ryan conducted a round of checking on shellfish and monitoring water quality on Monday, helped out at Sedge in the afternoon, and then left Tuesday morning to attend the ReClam the Bay meeting and later work at his other job setingt up the Seafood Coop Restaurant/fish market in Point Pleasant. Sherry has been in the Virgin Islands (I can't wait to hear her stories,) Emily is in school finishing out her senior year at MATES.
After Memorial Day things will get really busy. Ryan, Alton and I will go to the ReClam the Bay meeting on Tuesday night May 29th. On Wednesday, May 30th the first group of freshmen from MATES will arrive with Sherry helping as a supervisor teacher. Alton and Semantha will also be helping with this group. At the same time a group of special education students from High Point High School will be arriving at A-21 for a day of surf fishing, hiking, seining and kayaking. The teachers from High Point are a great group but they are less familiar with the local fauna than we are. It would be a great experience for any of you to work with a group of developmentally disabled young adults helping out several very experienced special education teachers. Thursday, May 31st is a Blue Moon and we expect the horseshoe crabs to be laying their eggs near the dike that night. Jenny Buck and a crew from Save Barnegat Bay have asked for help counting crabs that night. I will paddle to the dike from Sedge with any interested interns. MATES leave on Friday June 1st at 9:00AM. June 1st is also the day when Save Barnegat Bay has their Nitrogen Pollution press conference in Lavallete at 11:00AM. Mike Kennish, top Barnegat Bay scientist will be speaking. Helen Henderson wants me to come and talk about "Gunga Gunga!" I'd like to do the oyster vs mussel race and bring other things for show and tell?? Ryan and Alton could talk about their water quality/shellfish growth study. Since the MATES group will be leaving at 9:00AM and the AMC group will not arrive until the afternoon, we will have time to attend this important meeting (Your attendance at this press conference is optional of course - if you need to waste time taking a shower, resting or doing something else, feel free.) Later that afternoon the kayakers from the Appalachian Mount Club begin to arrive. These folks paddle out in their own boats (some homemade with handcarved paddles) and some very sophisticated gear. They can really paddle and the are very good at helping teach skills. And, they cook really good food! As good as this is, some of us will leave on Sunday June 3rd to help out at the Barnegat Bay Natiional Estuary Program Festival in Island Heights. This is a gathering of nearly all of the environmental groups in the Barnegat Bay watershed. We will set up our display (Emily will hopefully have some oysters and mussels for a race) and help out were we are needed.
Last week Emily and I set up a few trials for her shellfish scholarship project. We had oysters vs mussels filtering competition at both the New Jersey Marine Education's Teach at the Beach on Friday and Ocean Fun Day at Island Beach State Park on Saturday. (If you don't know who wins this competition every time, you better contact Emily ASAP.) Alton and Semantha also helped out at Ocean Fun Day answering questions and talking with people at the Sedge display and the Stockton College display respectively. I received many comments about how good these young people are. I was very proud!
Rutgers University students and faculty visited Sedge this week. Semantha did a great job working with the first group from Rutgers staying for all three days. Alton was there for the beginning, left for the ReClam the Bay meeting Tuesday night, and then returned on Wednesday for one group to leave and another to arrive. Ryan conducted a round of checking on shellfish and monitoring water quality on Monday, helped out at Sedge in the afternoon, and then left Tuesday morning to attend the ReClam the Bay meeting and later work at his other job setingt up the Seafood Coop Restaurant/fish market in Point Pleasant. Sherry has been in the Virgin Islands (I can't wait to hear her stories,) Emily is in school finishing out her senior year at MATES.
After Memorial Day things will get really busy. Ryan, Alton and I will go to the ReClam the Bay meeting on Tuesday night May 29th. On Wednesday, May 30th the first group of freshmen from MATES will arrive with Sherry helping as a supervisor teacher. Alton and Semantha will also be helping with this group. At the same time a group of special education students from High Point High School will be arriving at A-21 for a day of surf fishing, hiking, seining and kayaking. The teachers from High Point are a great group but they are less familiar with the local fauna than we are. It would be a great experience for any of you to work with a group of developmentally disabled young adults helping out several very experienced special education teachers. Thursday, May 31st is a Blue Moon and we expect the horseshoe crabs to be laying their eggs near the dike that night. Jenny Buck and a crew from Save Barnegat Bay have asked for help counting crabs that night. I will paddle to the dike from Sedge with any interested interns. MATES leave on Friday June 1st at 9:00AM. June 1st is also the day when Save Barnegat Bay has their Nitrogen Pollution press conference in Lavallete at 11:00AM. Mike Kennish, top Barnegat Bay scientist will be speaking. Helen Henderson wants me to come and talk about "Gunga Gunga!" I'd like to do the oyster vs mussel race and bring other things for show and tell?? Ryan and Alton could talk about their water quality/shellfish growth study. Since the MATES group will be leaving at 9:00AM and the AMC group will not arrive until the afternoon, we will have time to attend this important meeting (Your attendance at this press conference is optional of course - if you need to waste time taking a shower, resting or doing something else, feel free.) Later that afternoon the kayakers from the Appalachian Mount Club begin to arrive. These folks paddle out in their own boats (some homemade with handcarved paddles) and some very sophisticated gear. They can really paddle and the are very good at helping teach skills. And, they cook really good food! As good as this is, some of us will leave on Sunday June 3rd to help out at the Barnegat Bay Natiional Estuary Program Festival in Island Heights. This is a gathering of nearly all of the environmental groups in the Barnegat Bay watershed. We will set up our display (Emily will hopefully have some oysters and mussels for a race) and help out were we are needed.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Watershed Ambassadors
By spring the Watershed Ambassadors have had months of experience dealing with water issues in all parts of New Jersey. Some of them have even spent time working and living in Watershed 13, almost all of which drains into Barnegat Bay. But they still have new experiences when the visit Sedge.
Kayaking was a big hit for everyone as we paddled into the salt marsh. Not everyone was a thrilled when our hike across one of the salt marsh islands took us through some wet areas where the new shoots of Spartina are just emerging through the mud. When we returned we tried some clamming. Several of the Ambassadors really got into it and didn’t even use waders in the 58 degree water. Although they didn’t find many clams they had the opportunity to see over 50,000 oysters we now have in bags and Taylor floats attached to the dock.
For their last meal at Sedge the cook out of hamburgers and hot dogs was supplemented by over a dozen green crabs which, although small, provided a tasty treat.
Many members braved the chilly night air to sleep under the stars and awake to a beautfiful sunrise!
Although kayaking at Sedge was a definite highlight of the trip, the ambassadors also had a great time working together to navigate the 6-person canoe.
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