Story by The Sandpaper
Ten percent of artwork sales at a current wildlife photography exhibition – featuring local photographers – at the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences in Loveladies will be donated to Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey.
“Contributing to this effort will not only support local artists, but also the environment and ecosystem that CWF works to protect,” noted Jillian Schratz, membership and community coordinator.
by Lindsay McNamara, Communications Manager
New Jersey might be the most densely populated state, but it is also home to a diverse array of wildlife. From bobcats in the north to Eastern tiger salamanders in the south, many different species of wildlife live in the variety of habitats found in New Jersey. Our photography contest is meant to showcase the love for and need to protect the endangered and threatened wildlife that call New Jersey home.
The “For the Love of Wildlife” Photo Contest is free to enter! Two grand prize winners — one youth and one adult winner — will receive $250. The People’s Choice Winner will win a canoe trip for two on the Batsto River in Wharton State Forest courtesy of Pinelands Adventures.
Submit your photos by 8 PM on Friday, March 25, 2016 in the following categories:
For official contest rules and entry form, visit Conserve Wildlife Foundation’s website.
Lindsay McNamara is the Communications Manager for Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey.
By: Lindsay McNamara, Communications Manager
On Friday, August 14 at 6 PM, the Ann Coen Gallery will host “’Hiding in Plain Sight:’ Celebrating LBI’s Wildlife,” a photography show featuring three talented local outdoor photographers.
This – free and open to the public – event will feature a clam bar, refreshments, acoustic music, and the work of three local photographers, Eric Hance, Northside Jim and Ben Wurst, including handmade frames.
Despite their different backgrounds, all three shutterbugs are known to brave the elements all four seasons to bring rarely seen perspectives of our coastal species.
Eric Hance is a professionally trained photographer with beautiful fine art wildlife photographs. Northside Jim is an enthusiast with some outrageous and whimsical pictures showing the lives of local wildlife that live on the Island. Ben Wurst is the osprey expert who takes care of LBI’s osprey and habitat and captures stunning images of both in their most intimate moments.
“Hiding in Plain Sight” is a free event, and proceeds from the sale of photographs will benefit the work of Conserve Wildlife Foundation, a private, statewide nonprofit dedicated to protecting New Jersey’s endangered and threatened species. Photos of Humpback Whales, Bald Eagles, Osprey, Piping Plover, Terrapin, Black Skimmers, and other amazing endangered species that can be found on the Island will be on display at the Ann Coen Gallery.
“I am really excited to host this show and these three photographers. The body of work between them should prove to be very eye-opening to locals and vacationers,” explained Gallery Owner Ann Coen. “I don’t think too many people realize the wildlife we have right in our own backyard. When I approached each photographer for the show, they were all in agreement right from the start that a portion of their sales would go right back to Conserve Wildlife Foundation, which really motivated me and showed the importance each photographer places on the conservation of our wildlife here in New Jersey.”
Eric Hance is a photographer for Ann Coen Photography. His goal is to captivate viewers in the simplest form; to capture a specific scene in the strongest way.
Northside Jim is a self-proclaimed “beach bum with a camera,” from North Beach. He uses a camera to experience, to learn about, and to share stories about LBI’s creatures on his popular blog, Readings From The Northside.
Ben Wurst, photographer and Habitat Program Manager for Conserve Wildlife Foundation, is responsible for managing and protecting ospreys as part of the New Jersey Osprey Project. In addition to photography, Wurst is known for his woodworking with reclaimed materials with his small business, reclaimed LLC.
“Being able to utilize my skills to help raise critical funding and awareness for rare wildlife is a dream come true for me,” exclaimed Conserve Wildlife Foundation’s Ben Wurst. “Working with these species in New Jersey is what spawned my interests in both hobbies. Now they have progressed into lifelong passions of mine. I consider myself lucky to be on the roster for this show!”
Doors open at the Ann Coen Gallery, 1418 Long Beach Blvd. in Surf City, New Jersey, at 6 PM on Friday, August 14 for Hiding in Plain Sight: Celebrating LBI’s Wildlife. The show will remain on display until Friday, August 21.
Learn more:
Lindsay McNamara is the Communications Manager for Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey.
by Ben Wurst, Habitat Program Manager
Female terrapins often cross roads to find suitable nest sites along the Jersey Shore. © Ben Wurst
This week the annual nesting season of northern diamondback terrapins began. Females leave protection of our coastal estuaries to seek out suitable nest sites, course gravel and sand, which is often along roadsides. These individuals often cross roads to get to these nest sites. Please be courteous of terrapins and slow down, leave a greater following distance, and help a terrapin cross when you see one on the road.
2003 was the first year peregrines reclaimed their historic nesting grounds of the NJ Palisades. © Kristen Nicolas
Getting some rest after a morning hunt. © Brian Kushner
In a stoop. © Kristen Nicholas
A great place to see peregrine up close is at Edwin B. Forsythe NWR in Oceanville, NJ. © Howie Williams
© 2019 Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey