Eileen Murphy, Janice DeFalco, and Suzanne Chiavari of American Water Works Association New Jersey present grant award to Diana Burich, Director of Education, and Kanesha Jones, NJSGC Board of Trustee Member and Central Jersey Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc.
The $2,000 grant will support NJSGC’s education initiatives throughout the State of New Jersey. Funds will be directed towards further development of an interactive underwater robotics program with underserved minority students in Asbury Park and Neptune, giving children the opportunity to experience hands-on STEM education right in their own neighborhoods. This grant will also provide student transportation to participate in a pilot aquaculture apprenticeship program in the Delaware Bay-shore area. This program will introduce high school students to aquaculture as an important food source and an emerging industry in New Jersey.
“We are grateful to NJAWWA for recognizing the relevance of NJSGC’s programs to their mission of providing safe, clean water for all citizens and creating a better world through better water. Through their support, NJSGC will continue to better prepare the next generation of decision makers to thoughtfully care for our watersheds and ocean environments.”
– Diana Burich, NJSGC Director of Education
Diana Burich, Director of Education, gives NJAWWA members a glimpse of the natural environments explored during NJSGC’s education programs on Sandy Hook.
Please click here to learn more about NJSGC’s Educational Programs.
AWWA New Jersey Section ~ A Better World Through Better Water
The New Jersey Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA NJ) is dedicated to providing solutions to effectively manage water, the world’s most important resource. AWWA NJ is proactive and passionate about water! We work to advance technology, science, proper management and government policies relative to the stewardship of water. AWWA NJ is the recognized resource for information and guidance for local and state government, water utilities, and the general public.
AWWA NJ is made up of more than 1,300 members united in a mission to provide safe drinking water to the people of New Jersey. Our members include most of New Jersey’s public and investor-owned water utilities along with engineering and environmental professionals and allied industry businesses.
As part of the American Water Works Association, the New Jersey Section joins over 50,000 water professionals and vendors worldwide in a dynamic organization dedicated to a better world through better water.
Silver Spring, MD — NOAA and Sea Grant are pleased to announce the finalists for the 2022 class of the Sea Grant John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship program. The one-year fellowship places early career professionals in federal government offices in Washington, D.C. The 74 finalists in the 2022 class represent 28 of the 34 Sea Grant programs. Since 1979, almost 1,500 fellows have completed the program, becoming leaders in science, policy, and public administration roles.
Congratulations to NJSGC executive fellows Schuyler Nardelli (Rutgers University) placed at the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Office, and Elizabeth Wright-Fairbanks (Rutgers University), at the Ocean Acidification Program Office. Also congratulations to 2022 Knauss Fellows Janine Barr (Rutgers University) and Ashlyn Spector (Rutgers University) who will receive their placements in January. Please stay tuned for more updates!
Knauss finalists are chosen through a competitive process that includes comprehensive review at both the state Sea Grant program and national levels. Students that are enrolled in or have recently completed master’s, Juris Doctor (J.D.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs with a focus and/or interest in marine and coastal science, policy or management apply to one of the 34 Sea Grant programs. If applicants are successful at the state program level, their applications are then reviewed by a national panel of experts.
“At both the state and national levels, Sea Grant’s active recruitment and student engagement efforts supported one of the most robust applicant pools in fellowship history,” said Jonathan Pennock, Ph.D., National Sea Grant College Program director. “I have no doubt that the finalists’ diverse perspectives will provide great insight towards addressing critical marine policy and science challenges. We look forward to welcoming the 2022 class of Knauss fellows.”
This year’s class comprises students and recent graduates from 51 distinct universities, including 11 minority-serving institutions. The finalists completed coursework and research in a range of fields, such as agronomy, anthropology, ecology, environmental policy and law, fisheries, geology, marine and coastal sciences, several disciplines of oceanography, tourism management, and urban and regional planning.
The NOAA Office of Coastal Management (OCM) offers the Coastal Management and Digital Coast Fellowship Program. This on-the-job education and training in coastal resource management and policy is offered to postgraduate students and provides assistance to state coastal zone management agencies and NOAA partners.
Eligibility requirements, descriptions of the projects, and guidance on how to apply can be found here (or view this flyer for more information).
Coastal Management Fellowship Chosen applicants participate in a matching session with state coastal zone management programs to determine the projects that are the best fit. Find out more information about the Coastal Management Fellowship here.
This is a two-year program.
Up to six fellows are chosen per year.
Applicants must have a master’s, Ph.D., or professional degree.
Each project aligns with at least one of the following themes: healthy coastal ecosystems; resilient coastal communities; or vibrant and sustainable coastal economies.
Digital Coast Fellowship
The Digital Coast is a website that provides data and information for the coastal management community. The Digital Coast Partnership comprises eight organizations that help direct the site’s content and work to increase the resiliency of the nation’s coastal communities. Fellows work on projects that further the partnership efforts. Find out more information about the Digital Coast Fellowship here.
This is a two-year program.
Three fellows are chosen every other year. Each fellow is assigned to one of the partnership organizations.
Applicants must have a master’s, Ph.D., or professional degree.
Projects advance the NOAA and Digital Coast mission.
Application for the 2021 Coastal Management and Digital Coast Fellowship Program must be submitted to the Sea Grant office in the state where the student is receiving their degree by Friday, January 21, 2021 5pm local time. New Jersey students are encouraged to contact Dr. Peter Rowe at the NJSGC with any questions or concerns.
Whether your students are in class or learning from home, we can enhance their educational experience and support your curriculum with an awesome program! For more than 30 years, school groups from New Jersey and neighboring states have enjoyed learning about coastal ecosystems with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC) at Sandy Hook, a unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. NJSGC is proud to partner with the National Park Service and Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy to offer FREE programs to 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students for Fall 2021 and Spring 2022.
As part of the Every Kid Outdoors initiative, 3rd, 4th & 5th graders (along with their families and teachers) are encouraged to visit national parks to experience the natural wonders and cultural history that can be found there. NJSGC headquarters has long been located at Sandy Hook, bringing this unique national park experience to tens of thousands of students since 1976.
Educators with 3rd, 4th or 5th grade students interested in participating in the Every Kid Outdoors program through NJSGC can choose from 3 remote synchronous learning programs or 1 in-person field trip at Sandy Hook, all provide FREE of charge and led by NJSGC Educators.
Visit the NJSGC Education Page for programming information and instructions to sign up.
New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium is pleased to announce the release of The 2022 National Marine Fisheries Service-Sea Grant Joint Fellowship Program. Learn more about the fellowship program here.
The NMFS-SG Fellowship seeks applications for up to three years of funding for a Ph.D. student working in partnership with a NMFS mentor on projects in Population and Ecosystem Dynamics and/or Marine Resource Economics.
Population and Ecosystem Dynamics: Sea Grant anticipates funding at least four new Ph.D. fellowships in 2022 to students who are interested in careers related to marine ecosystem and population dynamics, with a focus on modeling and managing systems of living marine resources. The emphasis will be on the development and implementation of quantitative methods for assessing marine ecosystems for assessing the status of fish, invertebrate, and other targeted species stocks and for assessing the status of marine mammals, seabirds, and other protected species.
Marine Resource Economics: Sea Grant anticipates funding one new Ph.D. fellowship in 2022 to students who are interested in careers related to the development and implementation of quantitative methods for assessing the economics of the conservation and management of living marine resources.
Applications from eligible PhD students are due to NJSGC by 5PM on January 27, 2022. Interested candidates should contact Dr. Peter Rowe, Acting Executive Director NJSGC for more details Please forward this opportunity to interested PhD students.
The Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship provides a unique educational and professional experience to graduate students who have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. The Fellowship, named after one of Sea Grant’s founders and former NOAA Administrator John A. Knauss, matches highly qualified graduate students with “hosts” in the legislative and executive branch of government located in the Washington, D.C. area, for a one-year paid fellowship.
Any student, regardless of citizenship, is eligible to submit to this opportunity if:
The student is enrolled towards a degree in a graduate program at any point between the onset of the 2021 Fall Term (quarter, trimester, semester, etc.) and February 18, 2022;
The graduate degree will be awarded through an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or U.S. Territories, and;
The student has an interest in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources.
Celebrating 18 Years with an Entire Month of Virtual Family Fun and Education
This year’s family-friendly Ocean Fun Days event will once again take place virtually starting this Friday October 1st and run for the entire month of October! Join New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium and our partners as we celebrate 18 years of ocean discovery, coastal stewardship and energy conservation.
Online video presentations from over 30 exhibitors will provide eco-friendly fun focused on ocean discovery, coastal stewardship and energy conservation. Several presentations provide fascinating information about some of our most important local animals, including horseshoe crabs, eels, and sharks. There will also be informative videos on micro-plastics, saving energy and water, and the environment.
In addition, new LIVE presentations this year will feature topics from NJSGC educators such as diamondback terrapins, horseshoe crabs and ocean swimming safety. Teachers, parents, and students alike join new LIVE presentations, presented by NJ Sea Grant Consortium instructors. Click the links below to register:
October 1, 10 a.m. Terrific Terrapins: Meet New Jersey’s estuarine turtles, the Northern Diamondback Terrapin, in this fun program that teaches students why these animals are so unique and important to our coastal ecosystems. In this presentation participants will discover this reptile’s adaptations, anatomy, habitat, and virtually meet a realNorthern Diamondback Terrapin. Visitors and students will also learn about the impacts humans on terrapin populations. This 45-60 minute program is suitable for all ages especially grades K-6. Watch the webinar recording here.
October 6, 11 a.m. Horseshoe Crabs: Learn about these amazing East Coast natives with NJSGC educators as they take you on a virtual trip through the life of this “living fossil” species that has lived on Earth for more than 400 million years! Do you know why their blood is blue or what their telson is used for? Find out during this engaging presentation that touches on horseshoe crab anatomy, their role in the marine ecosystem and how they are helpful to humans. This 60-minute webinar is suitable for all ages, especially children in grades K-8. Watch the webinar recording here.
October 30, 1 p.m. Sharks vs Rip Currents – a Most “Spooktacular” Comparison: Just in time for Halloween, NJSGC educators will share the mysteries of two ocean “inhabitants”: rip currents and sharks. While both can seem frightening, the more information you know will give you a better chance of keeping safe around them. Learn how to avoid rip currents and what to do if you get caught in one. Also, discover how likely you are to ‘meet’ a shark and how all their adaptations make them important apex predators. This 60-minute webinar is suitable for all ages.
Bring #OceanFunDays into your classroom! There are also many online resources and activities. Teachers, and students alike are invited to dive in and join the fun by visiting OceanFunDays.org for #OceanFunDays2021 on October 1st.
Thank you to Investors Foundation for continuing their support of New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium’s (NJSGC) efforts in promoting the “Ocean Hazards and Beach Safety” Rip Current Awareness Program.
Jodie-Ann McDonald and Lauren Johns (from left) of Investors Bank present grant award to (from right) Diana Burich, Director of Education, Debra Burd, Fiscal Officer and Deborah Quinn, Office Manager.
This $2,500 grant will continue to directly support NJSGC’s interactive “Ocean Hazards and Beach Safety” outreach presentation, which will now be offered at no charge to schools, libraries, community and other groups throughout Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties from now through June 2021.
***Given the current situation, we are now presenting this program virtually through Zoom or Google Meets video conferencing. For more information, please contact NJSGC’s Education Department at Reservations@njseagrant.org.***
“According to the National Weather Service, approximately 100 people drown in rip currents in the U.S. on an annual basis. While NJ’s lifeguards do a fantastic job of keeping beachgoers safe, it is very important for swimmers themselves to know about potential rip currents and how to handle themselves if they should be accidentally caught in one. This program teaches people about the importance of swimming safely in the ocean in a way that is easy to understand and fun to learn, and this funding makes it more accessible to the general public.”
Investors Bank, headquartered in Short Hills, New Jersey, is a full-service community bank that has been serving customers since 1926. With over $25 billion in assets and a network of more than 150 retail branches, Investors Bank delivers personalized services and products tailored to the needs of its customers. Investors Bank’s services include complete deposit, loan and cash management products for consumers and businesses. Investors Bank. Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.
About the Investors Foundation
Investors Bank created the Investors Foundation in 2005 to support the communities Investors Bank serves. Investors Foundation supports initiatives in the arts, youth development, health and human services, education and affordable housing. Investors Foundation works to improve the lives of its customers and neighbors.
New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium is excited to welcome Samantha Kreisler aboard as their new Communications Specialist. Samantha comes to NJSGC with a strong background in marine policy and conservation, extensive experience communicating science and a history of working towards fostering environmental stewardship with various stakeholders.
With inspiration and guidance from her father, a New York Harbor boat captain, she grew up on the water learning the importance of preserving our marine environment and its resources. Graduating from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science with a BA in Marine Policy and a MS in Marine Science Ecosystems and Society, Samantha pursued her interest in marine science and combined it with her passion for environmental conservation to embark on a career of finding real-world solutions to environmental challenges. This led her to positions at NY/NJ Baykeeper and Clean Water Action, where she honed her ability to communicate science through storytelling to the public.
In her most recent position as the Outreach Coordinator atHackensack Riverkeeper, Samantha managed communications efforts of this grassroots non-profit organization, from creating content for their website and newsletter to social media campaigns and digital marketing. Samantha also oversaw volunteer programs such as community and corporate river clean-ups and coordinated major events like fishing derbies and HRK’s annual gala.
Samantha was introduced to NJSGC in 2019 by a friend and was quickly hired as a seasonal field instructor. Her content knowledge, background experience and enthusiasm made her a great candidate for the position. According to Diana Burich, Director of Education, “Samantha was a fabulous field instructor who engaged visiting school groups with her energy and passion, always interacting with a bright smile as she taught children about the importance of NJ’s marine and coastal environments and why it is necessary to care for them. We’re ecstatic to have her back at NJSGC in greater capacity!”
As communications specialist, Samantha is responsible for writing and distributing content including the NJSGC newsletter COASTodian, email blasts, managing social media accounts, and documenting NJSGC’s presence and research impacts throughout the State of New Jersey and Mid-Atlantic region. Within NJSGC, Samantha will be an integral part of its strategic planning, fund-raising efforts, and research communications. As part of the Sea Grant Communications Network, Samantha will work with other state Sea Grant programs and the National Sea Grant office to represent New Jersey’s voice and to improve Sea Grant communications as a whole.
“Samantha’s expertise, depth of experience, enthusiastic commitment and fresh perspectives will be a positive influence on our organization. Her background in marine science and familiarity with science communications made her the perfect choice for the position. We are looking forward to having her back onboard,” said Pete Rowe, PhD, Acting Executive Director, New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium.
In her spare time, Samantha is a sitting board member of Save Coastal Wildlife, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about the wildlife along the Jersey Shore. When she’s not in the office, she can be found kayaking, scuba diving, and walking (or swimming) along the Jersey Shore with her rescue pup, Lady.
