A Look Back At 2016

December 21st, 2016

 

From education to research to extension, this year was full of opportunities and accomplishments. You can check out more of what we’ve been up to in our Coastodian archive, but here are just a few of the highlights:

  • Our Dune Manual, as well as Dune Sign, was released. These products are available to towns and community members who wish to build or restore beautiful, sustainable and effective dunes.
  • This summer marked the beginning of the Monmouth County and FEMA High Water Mark Initiative. The goal of the High Water Mark Initiative is to build local community-based awareness of flood risks and encourage communities to take action to mitigate those risks. Dr. Michael Schwebel, New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium and Urban Coast Institute (UCI) community resilience and climate adaptation specialist worked with the towns and other UCI staff to determine where signs should be placed. The county and its partners placed more than 100 signs in prominent locations in the county including a sign located at New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium headquarters on Sandy Hook. NJSGC education staff will continue its work with the UCI and Monmouth County to create relevant lesson plans and learning materials for public outreach initiatives.
  • Mike Danko, New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium assistant director of extension and marine recreation agent, presented results of his work on vessel wash wastewater systems at the International Boat Builders Exhibition and represented the New Jersey Clean Vessel Act Program at the States Organization for Boating Access Annual Conference.
  • This year NJSGC’s Education Program worked with more than 20,000 students at Sandy Hook. Educators also worked with students off site through their Oceans To Go program and launched the Underwater Exploration Program in partnership with Jenkinson’s Aquarium.
  • After receiving more than 10,000 votes, New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium crowned Ocean City as New Jersey’s Favorite Beach. This year we changed things up. NJ beach enthusiasts voted for their favorite beach by county. Read more about the contest and the full list of winners here and be sure to keep your eyes peeled to njseagrant.org for 2017’s poll!
  • The National Sea Grant College Program continues to celebrate it’s 50th anniversary. Read what programs across the network have accomplished so far and what’s in store for the future of Sea Grant.