The ‘COASTodian’ Newsletter – Fall 2023 Edition

February 28th, 2024

Check out some highlights from this edition of the COASTodian:

– Welcome to Dr. Roy Messaros to the NJSGC Extension Staff!

– An Interview with Oluwafemi Soetan

– Welcome to the Education Team Alaina Perdon

– NJSGC Educators Mindy Voss and Jody Sackett Present Microplastics Program at The Alliance for New Jersey Environmental Education Winter Research Symposium & Conference at TCNJ

And much, much more!

We’re hiring!

February 25th, 2024

Love what New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium does? We are currently hiring for 2 positions at our Sandy Hook office:

Communications Intern: NJSGC currently seeking a summer intern to work within the communications department and assist staff with all relevant tasks including social media campaigns, video production, event coverage/promotion, and programmatic outreach. This position is ideal for undergraduates interested in pursuing a career in the digital communications field, with a unique emphasis on marine, coastal, and STEM initiatives. The intern will report directly to NJSGC’s Communications Specialist and work throughout the busy 2024 summer season (May-August) at the Jersey Shore. Read the full job description here. Click here to view the full job description.

Field Instructor: The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC), a non-profit organization on Sandy Hook, is hiring part-time field instructors for their K-12 Education Program and Scout Program. NJSGC provides students and scouts with dynamic ocean science programs that may include but not be limited to outdoor experiential learning activities such as seining, interactive games, scientific demonstrations and laboratory experiments. Join a great group of people that love the beach, the outdoors and sharing their knowledge with students to promote a love of environmental science. Gain hands-on educational experience and work in one of the most unique natural “classroom” environments in New Jersey, Gateway National Recreation Area-Sandy Hook Unit. Click here to view the full job description.

Now Accepting Applications for the 2024 Apprenticeship in Shellfish Aquaculture Program (ASAP)

February 22nd, 2024

Apprenticeship in Shellfish Aquaculture Program (ASAP) is a unique new training concept for New Jersey high school students ages 16 and older to gain understanding about the aquaculture industry through education and practice. With a combination of in-person instruction and on-farm work experience, participants will discover the inner workings of shellfish aquaculture, gain entry level work skills, and learn what it takes to get food from the farm to our tables.

A collaboration of New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, Rutgers University’s Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory and industry partners, ASAP brings participants closer to the knowledge and understanding of shellfish aquaculture as one of New Jersey’s emerging industries that produces an important food source and contributes to coastal economies. The foundations of aquaculture science and technology are the heart of the program that incorporates industry practices and basic skills training with real-world experiences. Apprentices learn and gain valuable experiences with paid summer work, mentorship by program facilitators and industry professionals, and support from fellow participants.

Are you interested in joining a great group of individuals who want to learn more about aquaculture biology and technology and the opportunities in this fast-growing industry?  Click here to learn more about the application. Applications are due May 1, 2024.

This project is sponsored by New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium with funds from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Sea Grant, under grant #NOAA-OAR-SG-2023-2007550, Special Projects “D”.

Sea Grant Announces the FY 2024 National Aquaculture Initiative: Enhancing Production of Coastal, Marine, and Great Lakes Aquaculture Species

December 11th, 2023

Subject to the availability of funding, Sea Grant anticipates $5,000,000 to $6,000,000 will be available for research projects and programs that will develop and refine methods, protocols, techniques, and/or strategies to enhance the production of one or more life stages of aquaculture species (described below) with the overall goal of improving the efficiency, output, and profitability of commercial coastal, marine, or Great Lakes region aquaculture businesses.

Projects that focus on the following aquaculture categories and organisms in both marine and freshwater are eligible for this competition and include:

  • Microalgae and macroalgae (seaweed)
  • Molluscs
  • Crustaceans
  • Ornamentals
  • Baitfish
  • Finfish species for food production
  • Misc. invertebrates

Proposals are sought that will support broad, non-proprietary research to address issues and/or barriers to aquaculture production; make that information available to aquaculture businesses; and preferably include participation and involvement of Sea Grant extension personnel and industry stakeholders.

This opportunity is open to: any individual; any public or private corporation, partnership, or other association or entity (including any Sea Grant College, Sea Grant Institute or other institution); or any State, political subdivision of a State, Tribal government or agency or officer thereof. Applications require the standard 50% non-federal match for Sea Grant projects.

Please carefully review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for specific instructions on how to apply for the competition via grants.gov.

Please contact Dr. Peter Rowe for more information and with interest to apply. Additionally, contact [email protected] with any questions regarding this NOFO and please specify the opportunity in the subject line.

Deadline for Letters of Intent: Wednesday, Janaury 17, 2024 by 5:00 pm local time
Deadline for full applications: Wednesday, April 3, 2024 by 11:59 pm ET

2024 NMFS-Sea Grant Fellowships Opportunity Now Open

October 30th, 2023

The NMFS-Sea Grant Joint Fellowship Program in Population and Ecosystem Dynamics and Marine Resource Economics places Ph.D. students in research-based fellowships that provide support for up to three years. The program is designed to fulfill workforce development needs identified by the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and since 1999, has provided opportunities for 167 Ph.D. students.

The opportunity to apply for 2024 fellowships is now open. Applications are due to New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium on January 25, 2024.

Learn more about the fellowship program

Get started on your application with:

Questions? Contact Dr. Peter Rowe or the National Sea Grant Office at [email protected] / (240) 507-3712.

Attend the Sea Grant Marine Debris Symposium November 1st, 2nd, 8th, and 9th!

October 13th, 2023

Join the National Sea Grant Program on November 1st, 2nd, 8th, and 9th to learn about the 29 projects awarded across the 2022 Marine Debris Challenge and Community Action Coalition competitions funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. View the agenda here. Register for Week One and/or Week Two. Learn more about the symposium here.

 

For this project, New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC) will partner with Columbia University through its Eco Ambassador program and with New York Sea Grant (NYSG) to develop effective marine debris curricula while expanding environmental literacy outreach to K-12 students from marginalized communities located in New Jersey and New York urban watersheds.

NJSGC Director of Education Diana Burich, adds “We are very excited to be collaborating with our partners to expand environmental literacy and plastic pollution awareness throughout  the NY-NJ area’s urban watershed communities. Through the EcoEmbassadors Program, K-12 students from traditionally underserved and marginalized communities will learn about the pervasive problem of plastics in their local waterways and will become empowered to find solutions and take action to create a more sustainable environment, which will ultimately have long-term effects on human health and the blue economy. We are grateful for the resources to work with the community and to have the opportunity to collaborate with a great group of colleagues in this important effort.” Diana Burich, who is lead principal investigator (PI) on the project, is excited to work with co-PI Radhika Iyengar, Ph.D., Director of Education, Center for Sustainable Development, The Earth Institute, Columbia University.

Become a Knauss Fellow in 2025

September 29th, 2023

The application period for the 2025 Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship is now open. The fellowship provides a one-year, paid experience for highly qualified early career professionals to work on issues related to coastal, marine and Great Lakes science and policy in offices within the executive or legislative branch of government in Washington, D.C. Learn more about becoming a Knauss Fellow from the National Sea Grant website.

Graduate students interested in marine, coastal, and Great Lakes science and policy should explore the information about the fellowship as soon as possible and reach out to New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium at least one month prior to the February 15, 2024 deadline.

To be eligible for the 2025 fellowship (which lasts February 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026),

  • A student must be enrolled towards a degree in a graduate program at any point between the onset of the 2023 Fall Term (quarter, trimester, semester, etc.) and February 15, 2024;
  • The student’s graduate degree program must be through an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or U.S. Territories;
  • Students are eligible regardless of nationality; domestic and international students at accredited U.S. institutions may apply; and
  • Applicants must have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources.

Get started on your application with:

New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium Applicant Named One of 2024 Knauss Fellowship Class

September 18th, 2023

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant) is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2024 class of the John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship program. The 84 early-career professionals selected will be placed in federal government offices throughout Washington, D.C., and join the over 1,600 individuals who have participated in the program since its inception in 1979.

The Knauss fellowship is a one-year paid opportunity for current and recent graduates from advanced degree programs to apply their scientific knowledge and experiences to lasting careers in the sciences, policy, and public administration.

“Knauss fellows over the years have consistently and thoughtfully applied their unique knowledge and skill sets to developing solutions to issues that affect people across the nation,” said Jonathan Pennock, Ph.D., Director of the National Sea Grant College Program. “We look forward to welcoming the incoming class of fellows and have no doubt that they will continue the tradition of serving through science.”

Oluwafemi Soetan, Montclair State University and New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium Knauss Fellow

Oluwafemi Soetan, Montclair State University and New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium Knauss Fellow

Oluwafemi Soetan also known as “Femi” of Montclair State University is one of the finalists that has been accepted into the 2024 Knauss Fellowship Class. Since 2021, Femi has been working to achieve his Ph.D in Environmental Science & Management. “I am beyond excited to be joining the 2024 Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship cohort. I have spent the last 3 years researching various marine and aquatic challenges for my Doctoral Program and with this fellowship, I have the tremendous opportunity to be directly involved in policy and administration concerning these very matters. Thanks to the National Sea Grant Program and the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium for this amazing opportunity.” Says Femi. 

Dr. Peter Rowe, Executive Director, notes “NJSGC is excited and pleased that Femi has been selected as a finalist for the Knauss Fellowship Class of 2024. Femi is one of the most talented, interesting, and inspiring individuals that has applied for the Fellowship through our organization. I know that he will not only be successful and gain a lot from this experience, but also that his host agency will gain from his presence there.”

This year’s class features students and recent graduates from 66 universities, including 12 minority-serving institutions (MSIs). The 84 finalists represent 30 of the 34 Sea Grant programs across the country and have completed years of coursework in fields ranging from zoology, oceanography, and marine science to environmental management, public policy, and engineering.

The 2024 class can look forward to sharing similar experiences with current and former fellows. In the 2023 class, executive appointments included placements throughout NOAA as well as with the Department of Energy, the Executive Office of the President, the National Science Foundation, and other agencies. 2023 Legislative fellows have supported the House Space and Technology Committee, Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation (Majority), the House Natural Resources Committee on Water Oceans and Wildlife, and several placements in both majority and minority personal offices (House and Senate).

Former and current hosts share that fellows are exceptional additions to their offices, often leading the charge and making lasting impacts on their focus areas. Knauss fellows have been described as invaluable, essential, and integral—they not only gain experience from this opportunity but also provide valuable perspectives as experts in their fields.

In the following months, the 2024 finalists will participate in the placement week process to get to know each other and interview with potential host offices. Following placement, they will begin their fellowships in February 2024. The 2024 Knauss finalists will become the 45th class of the fellowship and will join a group of over 1,600 professionals who have received hands-on experiences transferring science to policy and management through one-year appointments with federal government offices in Washington, D.C.

We’re Hiring

August 18th, 2023

NJSGC is looking for a K-12 Program Coordinator to ensure quality and growth of our K-12 Program. The K-12 Program consists of “The Coastal Experience,” NJSGC’s on-site seasonal field trip offerings for school-aged children in grades kindergarten through high school. The K-12 Program Coordinator is responsible for all clerical, customer, and teaching support for the K-12 Program, state and national standards-aligned curriculum development to enhance program offerings and maintaining a safe and effective work environment. The candidate serves as lead educator for other NJSGC programs (summer camp, in-school programs), represents NJSGC at outreach events and assists in the development and implementation of educator professional development workshops. The K-12 Program Coordinator will directly support the Director of Education to further NJSGC’s vision and goals, and also plays an integral role in carrying out other grant-funded education projects. As a member of the Education Program at NJSGC, the K-12 Program Coordinator will collaborate with the National Sea Grant College Program’s nationwide network of educators to further ocean and climate literacy and foster environmental stewardship.

Job application period CLOSED.