NJSMC/NJSG News

New Website Provides Info and Insights to New Jersey Beach and Waterfront Access

Getting answers about gaining access to New Jersey’s beaches and waterfronts will now be a lot simpler thanks to a new website launched by the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium/New Jersey Sea Grant (NJMSC/NJSG). The website, located at njcoastalaccess.org, offers specific legal information and tools that address defined coastal access needs and issues and enables New Jersey waterfront users, coastal communities, and land owners to deal with those issues cooperatively and hopefully without litigation. The project was funded through a mini-grant from the National Sea Grant Law Center (NSGLC). >more

NJMSC/NJSG Headquarters Restoration Recognized by Federal and State Officials

Federal and State leaders, including Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ 6th District) and Senator Sean Kean (NJ 11th District) participated in a special ceremony on July 12, to celebrate the first and only full exterior restoration of one of the key historical structures in Sandy Hook’s Historic Fort Hancock District. The restoration of Barracks Building #22 by the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium/New Jersey Sea Grant, (NJMSC/NJSG) in partnership with the NJ Historic Trust Foundation and the National Park Service at Sandy Hook is being heralded an architectural renovation model for other non-park system groups and organizations at the Historic Fort Hancock section of Sandy Hook. >more

Natural New Jersey Tourism Guides Win National Award

The New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium/New Jersey Sea Grant (NJMSC/NJSG) was recently honored with a 2010 APEX Award for its Natural New Jersey: Destinations and Natural New Jersey: Annual Events ecotourism-focused companion pocket guides. The national APEX Awards recognize outstanding publications work by professional communicators and selects winners based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content and the ability to achieve overall communications excellence. The guides, created by NJSMC/NJSG graphic designer Rory Joyce, were singled out for a special new “green” category for their valuable contribution to promoting sustainability of the state’s coastal and cultural resources. >more

NJMSC/NJSG's 2009 Annual Report Now Available Online

NJMSC/NJSG is pleased to present its 2009 Annual Report documenting the achievements and activities of the past fiscal year. This Report marks NJMSC/NJSG’s 40th Anniversary and represents a new era in the organization’s history. Click here to scroll through pages of this latest chapter in our story.

NJMSC/NJSG Sandy Hook Headquarters Receives Historical Preservation Award

From left: Robert A. Schoeffling, Claire Antonucci, Pete McCarthy and Monmouth County Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry.

NJMSC/NJSG received a 2010 Monmouth County Historical Commission Historic Preservation Award in recognition of its efforts and accomplishments to restore and preserve Barracks Building #22 at Sandy Hook, which has served as the organization’s headquarters since 1972. The restoration of Barracks Building #22, built in 1899, is the first project of its kind within Fort Hancock on Sandy Hook. The project is viewed by the National Park Service, which includes Sandy Hook as one of their Gateway National Recreation Areas (GNRA), as a model for the future rehabilitation of similar Fort Hancock structures. The project was also designed to serve as an incentive for other groups to follow the lead of the NJMSC/NJSG so other historic structures at Fort Hancock can be similarly restored and saved.

NJMSC/NJSG Executive Director Claire Antonucci and Pete McCarthy, Unit Coordinator for Sandy Hook NRA attended a special presentation in Freehold on June 7th to accept the award from Robert Schoeffling, Commissioner of the Monmouth County Historical Commission . Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry, who serves as liaison to the County Historical Commission, presided over the ceremony which recognized a total of 8 outstanding historic c structures throughout the county ”Residents, business people and other organization who do the work to preserve local structures and buildings deserve public praise and recognition,” noted Freeholder Burry.

“We are truly grateful for this recognition”, said Claire Antonucci in accepting the award. “It is the culmination of nearly ten years of effort to restore the building that has served us so well to its rightful place in Monmouth County history. It is our sincere hope that our project, and all that we learned about our building, will inspire others to restore Fort Hancock’s other structures to their original grandeur.” >more

Marina Programs Fueled for 2010 by NJDEP Grants

Michael Danko, Marine Recreation Agent - Fisheries and Boating, has received two grants to continue his long-term work with New Jersey's marinas. Danko was awarded $82,060 from NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife for the continuation of the New Jersey Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Program Steering Committee. The CVA provides funds to marinas for the construction, renovation, operation and maintenance of pumpout stations and pumpout boats.

Danko will also receive $20,000 from NJDEP Coastal Management Program to continue implementation of the New Jersey Clean Marina Program, established six years ago. The program allows Mike and the NJMSC/NJSG Extension staff to provide technical support and assistance with implementation of best management practices at marinas working towards Clean Marina designation and to coordinate Clean Marina roundtables and workshops.

Federal Grant Will Benefit New Jersey Coast

Funded projects will study a range of issues including the use of beach grass as a dune stabilizer.

The New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium/New Jersey Sea Grant (NJMSC/NJSG) has been awarded $943,000 from the U.S. Department of Commerce/NOAA National Sea Grant College Program to support programs that will promote greater understanding of New Jersey’s coastal environment including marine research on issues of high priority to the State.

Nearly half of the award will fund research that will directly impact New Jersey’s coast. Through a highly competitive process, four projects were selected for funding this year. The research will include a study on American beachgrass varieties for use in dune protection, an analysis of fisheries data to improve management on target species, an investigation on summer flounder landings to better manage that fishery, and a study on the exchange of water between Raritan Bay and the ocean. The results of this project will represent the first comprehensive study of circulation patterns and dispersive processes in Raritan Bay.

The award also will be used to improve science education at all levels. Along with public education events and training for teachers, NJMSC/NJSG offers college courses, an extremely popular class trip program on Sandy Hook and in-school, scout and summer camp programs all within the domain of marine science.