Join NJSGC for Professional Development Workshops October – March
For more information and how to register click here.
For more information and how to register click here.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program is thrilled to announce the finalists for the 2025 class of the Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship. This year, for the first time in program history, all eligible Sea Grant programs are represented by a diverse cohort of 88 early-career professionals who will spend the next year working alongside federal agencies or legislative offices in Washington, D.C., applying their academic expertise to critical marine, coastal and Great Lakes policy issues.
This year New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium’s applicant Laura Geronimo a Post-Doctoral Associate from Rutgers University, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences has been chosen for the Executive Branch of the fellowship.
Since 1979, the Knauss Fellowship provides graduate students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience developing and implementing national policy. This year’s class brings a wide range of experiences and aspirations, reflecting the breadth of the marine and coastal fields. Many of the finalists were motivated by a desire to work at the interface of science and policy, and passionate about building sustainable futures and promoting resilient ecosystems. As one finalist described, “My values are woven from the ocean’s lessons—a tapestry of interconnectedness, symbiosis among different perspectives and adaptability to change.”
As in previous years, this year’s finalists were selected through a competitive process that involved review panels composed of national experts in marine science, policy and education. Over the past 45 years, the Knauss Fellowship has supported more than 1,660 students who have significantly contributed to environmental policy and management and built lasting careers.
“This year’s Knauss Fellowship cohort exemplifies the passion and expertise necessary to address the evolving challenges facing our coasts and oceans,” remarked Dr. Jonathan Pennock, Director of the National Sea Grant College Program. “We are confident that their dedication to serving through science will lead to innovative solutions that sustain coastal and marine resources and communities for future generations.”
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 current issues in science, policy, and public administration. Students who are enrolled in or have recently completed master’s, Juris Doctor and Doctor of Philosophy programs with a focus and/or interest in marine and coastal science, policy, or management apply to one of the 33 eligible Sea Grant programs.
The 2025 finalists represent 70 universities across the country—including 10 minority serving institutions—comprising 44 master’s students, 41 Ph.D. candidates and 3 J.D. candidates. They are geographers, ichthyologists, ecologists, lawyers, environmental managers and more. They represent communities across the nation and are committed to making meaningful contributions to marine policy.
The Monmouth University Climate Change Learning Collaborative (MU CCLC) was developed by Michelle Schpakow, Ed.D., Catherine Duckett, Ph.D., and Peter Jacques, Ph.D. in collaboration with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, Monmouth University’s Urban Coast Institute (UCI), and Monmouth Conservation Foundation. With the funding support of the NJ Department of Education’s Expanding Access to Climate Change and NJ Student Learning grant, the MU CCLC will prepare NJ K-12 teachers to teach climate change in developmentally appropriate ways across all grade levels and subject areas. Monmouth Conservation Foundation, NJ Sea Grant Consortium, and the Urban Coast Institute will offer place-based curriculum and experiential learning opportunities. The MU CCLC program began in June 2024 and will continue to offer professional development events multiple times each month through March 2025. Click here to register.
Experiential Learning Opportunity with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC)
Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit
October 5, 2024, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Climate Change and the Ocean (Grades 6-12)
Experiential Learning Opportunity with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC)
Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit
October 18, 2024, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Build Your Confidence in Teaching Climate Science – Ocean Processes Focus (K-5)
Experiential Learning Opportunity with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC)
Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit
November 2, 2024, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Global Climate Systems and Human Society (Grades 6-12)
Experiential Learning Opportunity with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC)
Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit
March 8, 2025, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Build Your Confidence in Teaching Climate Science – Human Impacts Focus (K-5)
Experiential Learning Opportunity with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC)
Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit
March 14, 2025, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Communities and the Cost of Climate Change (Grades 6-12)
New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC) in conjunction with The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, has released a Request for Proposals (RFP). This research-grant based RFP, funded through the state’s Offshore Wind Research & Monitoring Initiative (RMI), promotes regional research and monitoring efforts to assess the impacts of offshore wind development on coastal and marine resources during the pre-construction, construction, operation, and decommissioning phases. Please see the full Request for Proposal here.
The goal of this funding is to execute a robust Research and Monitoring Initiative to support the responsible implementation of offshore wind energy in the waters off New Jersey’s coastline. The Initiative employs the best available science and is consistent with mandates to protect and responsibly manage New Jersey’s marine and coastal resources.With this solicitation, the RMI seeks to award funding for projects in the following focus areas:
Applicants should contact New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium by August 28, 2024 by 5pm EST with their intention to submit a proposal by sending a Letter of Intent to Julie Lang at jlang@njseagrant.org. For Principle Investigators with an approved Letter of Intent, the proposal deadline has been extended to October 22 by 5PM. Please contact Dr. Peter Rowe at prowe@njseagrant.org with any questions or concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Peter Rowe, Executive Director of New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium joined Lt. Governor Tahesha Way and Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette, alongside U.S. Department of Commerce and NOAA officials, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Perth Amboy Mayo Helmin Caba, and other dignitaries, announced a $72 million federal grant for the Building a Climate Ready NJ initiative. This initiative is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Resilience Regional Challenge competition, which allocated $575 million to enhance the resilience of coastal communities against extreme weather and climate change impacts, such as sea-level rise. The project encompasses 16 coastal New Jersey counties. The awards are being made under the Biden Administration’s Climate Resilience Regional Challenge, a competitive, $575 million program funded through the nearly $6 billion total investment under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act that is funding 19 regional projects.
Administered by the Department of Commerce and NOAA, the Climate Ready Coasts initiative is focused on investing in high-impact projects that create climate solutions by storing carbon; building resilience to coastal hazards such as extreme weather events, pollution and marine debris; restoring coastal habitats that help wildlife and humans thrive; building the capacity of underserved communities and supporting community-driven restoration; and providing employment opportunitiesThe New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Climate Resilience will implement the initiative, focusing on densely developed municipalities and overburdened communities. The initiative will provide resources for critical climate resilience projects, education, and workforce training on climate change.
Dr. Peter Rowe, Executive Director of NJSGC states ”We are excited to work with NJDEP and its partners on the NOAA funded project Building a Climate Ready NJ to address climate resilience challenges of New Jersey’s coastal communities including Disadvantaged Overburdened Communities (DOBC). We look forward to bringing onboard a Coastal Resilience Extension Specialist who will co-develop and manage the delivery of practitioner training modules in the CRECP (Coastal Restoration Extension and Credentialing Program) and provide outreach and educational information to communities across New Jersey. Also, we will support a New Jersey Coastal Resilience Collaborative (NJCRC) coordinator who will engage NJCRC partners and workgroups to manage the development and integration of all Design Pipeline components.”
Key Statements from the Press Conference held at Sadowski Parkway Waterfront Park, Perth Amboy and corresponding Press Releases:
Project Specifics:
These projects aim to enhance recreational opportunities, improve air quality, and increase access to natural areas. Additionally, hands-on learning opportunities and a green infrastructure training and entrepreneurship initiative will be launched for Newark-area students and professionals.
Future Initiatives:
Community Engagement: Education and engagement initiatives will include expanding the MyCoast NJ citizen science app, climate change resilience programming at the Novins Planetarium, and launching a K-12 Research Practice Partnership to help educators teach about climate change.
Find out what NJSGC and our partners have been up to this past season in the Spring 2024 edition of the COASTodian:
–State of the Shore Event Provides Updates on Shore Summer Conditions and Outlook for the Season
–Apprenticeship in Shellfish Aquaculture Program (ASAP) Kicks Off Boot Camp Training
–Growing Green Infrastructure Knowledge One Green Infrastructure Champion at a Time
–Research Spotlight: Quantifying the effect of vegetation on a natural dune system using a coupled machine learning and remote sensing approach
–Check out some pictures from the 21st Ocean Fun Days
New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC) in conjunction with The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, has released a Request for Proposals (RFP). This research-grant based RFP, funded through the state’s Offshore Wind Research & Monitoring Initiative (RMI), promotes regional research and monitoring efforts to assess the impacts of offshore wind development on coastal and marine resources during the pre-construction, construction, operation, and decommissioning phases. Please see the full Request for Proposal here.
The goal of this funding is to execute a robust Research and Monitoring Initiative to support the responsible implementation of offshore wind energy in the waters off New Jersey’s coastline. The Initiative employs the best available science and is consistent with mandates to protect and responsibly manage New Jersey’s marine and coastal resources.With this solicitation, the RMI seeks to award funding for projects in the following focus areas:
Applicants should contact New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium by August 28, 2024 by 5pm EST with their intention to submit a proposal by sending a Letter of Intent to Julie Lang at jlang@njseagrant.org. For Principle Investigators with an approved Letter of Intent, the proposal deadline has been extended to October 22 by 5PM. Please contact Dr. Peter Rowe at prowe@njseagrant.org with any questions or concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
As you may know NJSGC holds the Favorite Beaches Contest in New Jersey every year. Well, the public voted and the results are in! Congratulations to all shore towns. The winners are as follows:
On Friday July 12, NJSGC held it’s annual Favorite Beaches Contest Ceremony in Ocean City, New Jersey. Mayor Jay A. Gillian of Ocean City received their award for Overall Favorite Beach and for Winner of Cape May County. Special thanks to Ocean City for hosting our awards ceremony on their Music Pier!
In addition, the NJSGC communications team went live on the famous radio station 94.3 the Point twice that day. In the morning with Lou Russo and Michele Pilenza and again in the afternoon with with Matt Ryan to announce the winners. They also met with give Sylvia Sylvia Business Development Administrator / UEZ Coordinator for the City of Asbury Park and Matthew Whelan, Executive Director, Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce to give the award for the Best Beach in Monmouth County to City of Asbury Park.
NJSGC held its annual Jersey Shore Photo Contest again this year. The contest always gets a lot of submissions, but this year we received an incredible amount and quality of images!
Twelve submissions won the contest and will be on display for NJSGC’s desktop calendar. The winning photos shown below were shot in familiar locations like Brigantine, Cape May, Seaside Heights, and many more. The 2025 desktop calendar with these dazzling nature photos will be available on njseagrant.org in a few months. But in the meantime, view the winners below (in no particular order). Congratulations to all of the winners!
The submissions have been collected and it is now time for YOU to decide the top photos to win the Jersey Shore Photo Contest. The winners will be featured in the NJSGC’s 2025 Desktop Calendar.
Out of the 25 amazing photos below, only 12 will win… and its up to you to decide! To vote please fill out this form to vote for your favorites!
You can also type https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/njsgcphotocontest2024 into your browser to vote!