The following article was written by our Friend and a Waterway Trail Educator, Tory Bahnsen. Since Memorial Day Weekend volunteer Waterways Trail Educators have been stationed at the A-21 Kayak launch. They conducted a survey of the users of the Sedge Islands Marine Conservation to get an idea how many people are using the area and what kind of experience they are having. The Waterways Trail Educators have spent the summer handing out maps and other information. And answering questions about the area from the public.
Being a New Jersey resident for all my life and never having been to Island Beach State Park, I never knew such a place existed. Very few barrier beaches are left still in natural form, without the vision of being turned into a resort goldmine. As a sophomore at the University of Rhode Island studying Marine Affairs, I needed to start looking for experience in my field. When the opportunity arose for the new position as a Waterway Trail Educator I was nervous that my lack of experience and knowledge with Island Beach and the Sedge Islands Marine Conservation Zone would put me at a disadvantage to be able to educate others about the area.
Luckily, I had the opportunity to work with Jim Merritt, Program Director at the Sedge Islands Natural Resource Education Center, who taught me about the different plants, birds, fish, clams, and crabs that all make up this intricate and complex ecosystem.
My job as a Waterway Trail Educator was to survey the people that come in and use the Conservation Zone, which is located at the southern end of Island Beach. The objective of his survey was to monitor the usage of the area as well as to see just how heavily the area is fished, clammed and crabbed. At the same time I helped to educate the general public by distributing maps of the area and answering any questions they may have had.
My experiences with The Sedge Islands Marine Conservation Zone as a Waterway Trail Educator dealt with all sorts of variables, such as extreme heat during early hours of the summer and swarms of flies chewing on our legs only seemingly being more enticed by bug spray.
The Conservation Zone attracts people from all over the country whether it is to see the osprey or to go kayaking and just marvel at the only marine conservation zone in New Jersey. Seeing the look on people’s face who have never seen the area before or waving to returning visitors that come every single weekend, truly brings joy to my heart. Sedge Island Marine Conservation Zone brings individuals who all share common interests together, while developing an understanding and appreciation for what nature has to offer. Having this experience allowed me to take what I have learned, thus far in my Marine Affairs studies and apply it through public participation in a very unique tidal marsh estuary. I am grateful and fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn and experience all that I have under the supervision of Jim Merritt, while meeting and working alongside an amazing group of people throughout the process.
