Ocean County College OceanViews Magazine 2026 Summer-Fall - Flipbook - Page 23
managers with the scientific foundation
needed to prioritize conservation efforts.
While scientific research drives much of the
organization’s work, public involvement is
very important. Education and outreach
are central to the BBP’s mission, empowering residents and visitors to become active
stewards of the bay through educational
programs, volunteer opportunities, and
community partnerships.
One of these opportunities is the Barnegat
Bay Volunteer Master Naturalist Program,
an environmental education and stewardship program that trains participants in the
ecology, history, and conservation of the
Barnegat Bay watershed. Since its launch
in 2010, graduates have contributed
thousands of volunteer hours by presenting educational programs, assisting with
scientific research, maintaining nature
trails, and supporting stewardship projects
alongside partners including the Pinelands
Commission, Island Beach State Park, and
the New Jersey Forest Resource Education
Center. Participants complete classroom
instruction, hands-on field experiences, and
volunteer service to earn and maintain certification. Continuing education opportunities are also available for program alumni.
In 2025, the program welcomed 18 new
participants.
Another popular volunteer effort is Paddle
for the Edge, an annual shoreline survey
that combines kayaking with citizen science. Volunteers use a smartphone app to
document shoreline conditions at locations
throughout the Barnegat Bay and Great Egg
Harbor wetland systems. During the past
decade, participants have paddled more
than 230 miles of shoreline and collected
data from more than 11,000 monitoring
locations. This information helps scientists
track shoreline changes and identify future
restoration opportunities.
The BBP also encourages residents to
make a difference at home through the
Jersey-Friendly Yards program. Planning
guides, a yard certification program, and
other resources provide practical guidance
for homeowners, schools, and municipalities interested in sustainable landscaping
practices that help reduce pollution, conserve water, and create healthier habitats
for wildlife.
To learn more about
the BBP and how you
can get involved, visit
barnegatbaypartnership.org
Protecting Barnegat Bay requires the
combined efforts of scientists, educators,
government agencies, volunteers, and
residents. Through research, education,
and community engagement, the Barnegat
Bay Partnership demonstrates how collaboration can help preserve one of New
Jersey’s most treasured natural resources
for generations to come.
Barnegat Bay - Little Egg Harbor Estuary photo credit: Michael Leon
Ocean Views
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