Rutgers University Marine Field Station

The Rutgers Marine Field Station in Little Egg Harbor Township and the parent institution, the Rutgers University Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences has a goal to create a corridor for research, from the upper reaches of the Mullica River drainage basin, down through the Great Bay estuary, to the inner continental shelf.

A floating research platform deployed three miles off the coast of Tuckerton is giving scientists real-time ocean data that could improve storm preparedness, monitor water quality and help researchers better understand marine ecosystems along the Jersey Shore. The solar- and wind-powered “PowerBuoy” also revives LEO-15, a Rutgers ocean-monitoring program that shut down in 2005 after an underwater cable failure.

Earlier versions of the observatory used seafloor instruments to monitor storms, shifting sediment and marine life. The new wireless platform collects offshore data without the need for extensive underwater infrastructure, helping researchers connect conditions closer to shore with those farther out at sea. The platform also allows researchers, students and educators to add instruments to monitor waves, water quality and other conditions, or to test new technologies.

Get Local: Essex County Endangered Species

I posted earlier about how Endangered Species Day really needs to be every day, especially in a densely populated state like New Jersey. I live in Essex County, New Jersey, one of the most densely populated counties in the state—and in the entire U.S.  As of 2024 estimates, it has roughly 850,000 residents living within about 130 square miles, giving it a population density of around 6,500 people per square mile. Essex ranks among the top three most densely populated counties in New Jersey, alongside Hudson and Union.

But it is not without wildlife and green areas, and, of course, some rare, endangered, and threatened wildlife and plant species. Newark, East Orange, and Irvington account for much of that density, with Newark alone exceeding 11,000 people per square mile. But towns such as Cedar Grove, Montclair, and Livingston are less dense—typically 2,000–4,000 people per square mile—but still tightly settled compared to rural counties.

High population density means fragmented habitats and pressure on green spaces, making local conservation efforts—like those highlighted in the poster —especially vital. Protecting remaining wetlands, forest corridors, and stream buffers helps maintain biodiversity amid urban growth.

The poster highlights the rare wildlife found across the county’s forests, wetlands, and river corridors—from the Watchung Mountains to the Passaic and Rahway watersheds. It features species such as the bog turtle, timber rattlesnake, Indiana bat, and peregrine falcon, along with native plants like swamp pink and American chaffseed that thrive in protected habitats. All of these depend on the Watchung Mountains and Passaic River corridor for survival.

World Ocean Day

World Oceans Day is observed every year on June 8. This date is consistent across all UN member states and has been officially recognized by the United Nations since 2008. It’s an annual international observance dedicated to ocean protection, awareness, and sustainable stewardship. 

If you're not involved in conservation efforts around our oceans, one way to celebrate World Ocean Day is with a collection of free educational resources about Earth’s oceans from The Open University's Science courses and qualifications.

The oceans cover more than 70 per cent of our planet. Discover the wonders of our oceans - on Earth and beyond. From interactive games like Ocean Explorer to free courses and thought-provoking articles (including oceans in space!), this collection brings together a wealth of learning to inspire curiosity and care for our marine world.

New Jersey has several ways to celebrate World Oceans Day and oceans in general throughout the year. 

• New Jersey World Ocean Day Beach Cleanup — Wildwood Crest
  Date: June 6, 2026  11am (held the weekend before World Oceans Day)
  Rambler Road Beach, E Heather Road & The Beach, Wildwood Crest, NJ
  Volunteers remove debris, receive orientation, and may get a free event t‑shirt if registered early. All ages welcome; minors need an adult.
• Clean Ocean Action holds Statewide Beach Sweeps (related coastal stewardship). While not tied specifically to June 8, Clean Ocean Action runs one of the largest coastal cleanup programs in the state. Their next major event is October 24, 2026. 9:00 AM–12:30 PM at 80+ beaches across New Jersey. This long‑running cleanup effort removes millions of debris items; volunteers of all ages welcome.

 

Endangered Species Days

Endangered Species Day is an annual, globally recognized day—held on the third Friday of May (this year it was on the 15th) dedicated to celebrating, learning about, and taking action to protect threatened and endangered species. But a day is not enough.

It was established by the U.S. Congress with leadership from the National Wildlife Federation and has since grown into an international observance involving schools, conservation groups, communities, and individuals.

So why does the day matter? More than one‑third of U.S. wildlife species are at risk of extinction in the coming decades. Endangered Species Day is a reminder that conservation efforts—legal protections, habitat restoration, and community engagement—work and are urgently needed. 

Here are some suggestions for things you can do any day of the year that make a difference.

• Attend or host events such as talks, film screenings, habitat cleanups, or nature walks. 
• Learn about endangered species, from mountain gorillas to red wolves to local pollinators. 
• Participate in creative activities, like chalk art contests or wildlife crafts for kids. 
• Support conservation organizations through volunteering or donations. 
• Raising awareness of species at risk of extinction and the ecosystems they depend on.
• Highlighting conservation successes, such as species whose populations have rebounded thanks to the Endangered Species Act.
• Encouraging public action—from habitat restoration to citizen science.
• Celebrating biodiversity, especially local wildlife and habitats.

Review the complete list for New Jersey

dep.nj.gov/njfw/wildlife/endangered-threatened-and-special-concern-species