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Sedge Island Field Experiences
CWF offers field experiences at Sedge Island, in the heart of Barnegat Bay, for both children and adults!
Participants will immerse themselves into the salt marsh ecosystem. They will explore the natural and cultural history of Barnegat Bay as well as current environmental issues affecting the bay.
Zoom+ Some of our neighbors at the Sedge Island Natural Resouce Education Center. Ospreys in the foreground, peregrine falcon platform in the background. Alissa Pazienza
Adult Programs Offered in 2017
Sedge Island Ecology Workshop - $50 per educator
includes kayaks and breakfast
- Saturday, May 6 from 9AM - 1PM
Zoom+ The pristine saltmarsh inside Sedge Island WMA. © Ben Wurst
Join CWF at the Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center for a hands-on professional development opportunity available for both formal and informal teachers. Participants will encounter peregrine falcons, ospreys and other New Jersey wildlife while learning the effective ways on how to teach science and environmental stewardship to students. This workshop will utilize CWF's WebCams and lessons aligned with NGSS and Multiple Intelligences Theory of Learning.
Sign Up for the professional development workshop today!
To pay with a check, please make all checks out to Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey and mail to Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey ATTN: Stephanie DAlessio P.O. Box 420, Mailcode 501-03E, Trenton, NJ 08625.
To pay with a card, you can pay online or over the phone at 609.984.0621
Sedge Island "Bay to Bowl" Locavore Program - $390 per adult
includes lodging, meals, instruction, and take home items
- August 11 - August 13
Zoom+ Come and learn how to harvest Clams this summer!
In partnership with NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife, a 3-day 2-night locavore program for adults 21 years old and older interested in learning what’s edible in and around Barnegat Bay. The program will be held at the Sedge House, located within New Jersey's first Marine Conservation Zone. Participants will spend time identifying and harvesting edible plants, algae, digging clams, netting crabs, and fishing, all while learning about the salt marsh ecosystem, conservation, and renewable resources. Participants will learn what’s edible in and around Barnegat Bay, identify, harvest and prepare sustainable local cuisine, shuck clams and oysters, and how to fillet fish and leave with a deeper understanding of our natural environment and the importance of being a good steward.
Each meal will feature something locally harvested by participants, and Saturday night’s dinner will consist mainly of harvested resources that will be cooked through demonstration and by participation. Participants should come with open minds and empty stomachs! (Food allergies may not be able to be addressed.)
Learn More and Sign up today!
- Visit the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife website for more information and to register.
- Program Flyer
Kid Programs offered in 2017
Sedge Island Ecotour for Girl and Boy Scouts - $50 per scout
- Saturday, June 17 from 9AM - 12PM
- Saturday, July 15 from 9AM - 12PM
Zoom+ Participants take a break from kayaking to discover the hidden treasures that live in the salt marsh. Jim Merritt
This summer, CWF is offering two separate Sedge Island Ecotours for Girl and Boy Scouts. Scouts will spend their day at Sedge Island, Island Beach State Park, New Jersey immersed in the salt marshes of Barnegat Bay while exploring the ecosystems by kayak, living a conservation lifestyle, and learning first-hand about biological research. Scouts will leave with a better understanding of the personal choices they face in order to make a positive impact upon their environment.
Sedge Island Ecotour activies will include for both sessions, a kayak tour through the marshes, clamming, seining, and of course, learning about the fascinating history of Sedge Island and all of its wildlife inhabitants!
Learn More and sign up today!
SEDGE ISLAND FISHING EXPERIENCE - $475 per student
includes all meals, lodging, instruction and equipment
- June 22 - June 25
- August 24 - August 27
Zoom+ The catch of the week - a 30 inch long fluke caught by Stephen M. Alissa Pazienza
In partnership with the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife, a 4-day, 3-night program open to students entering grades 8 and 9 in the fall of 2017. Students will spend the first 3 days fishing the area while learning about the surrounding ecosystem. On the final night, a parent or guardian will join the group and spend the last night learning from the students, and the following day fishing with them.
Learn More and sign up today!
SEDGE ISLAND FIELD EXPERIENCE - $425 per student
includes all meals, lodging, instruction and equipment
- August 15 - August 18
Zoom+ A northern diamondback terrapin hatchling poses for a photo while it is being studied and described in a campers journal entry. Alex Devoy
In partnership with the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife, a 4-day, 3-night program open to students entering grades 7, 8, and 9 in the fall of 2017. Students will spend their days exploring the Barnegat Bay ecosystem using kayaks, microscopes, water testing equipment, nets, and other scientific tools. They will work with biologists gathering information about the flora and fauna of Barnegat Bay, learn about the history of Barnegat Bay through fishing, crabbing, and clamming, develop leadership skills helping to improve confidence in making environmentally-friendly decisions, and learn about sustainability and stewardship to, in turn, teach others the value of protecting the environment. On the last day, parents are invited to join the group for lunch and to learn from the students about their week-long salt marsh experience.
Learn more and sign up today!
SEDGE ISLAND FIELD AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE - $770 per student
includes all meals, lodging, instruction and equipment
- July 6 - July 11
Zoom+ Emily K. takes a break from kayaking to explore the salt marsh ecosystem and seek instructions from Program Director Jim Merritt. Alissa Pazienza
The NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, in partnership with the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES) are offering a residential research experience for students entering grades 10 and 11 in the fall of 2017. During this program, students will be taught field research skills that will lead them to conduct team research projects on the Barnegat Bay with a culmination sharing session on the last day of the program. The Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center will be the setting for this camp and the research that will take place.
Learn More and sign up today!
About the Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center
Zoom+ Sedge house. © Ben Wurst
Located in Barnegat Bay, the Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center is a renovated duck-hunting lodge. Students take a 15 minute boat ride across Barnegat Bay’s shallow waters to the center which is equipped with a common room, 7 bunkrooms, a full kitchen, dining room, front porch, and an upper back deck.
During their stay, participants will live a conservation lifestyle since the facility is completely self sufficient. Solar panels provide electricity while sewage is composted in Clivus Multrum composting toilets. Residing at this facility for several days will provide students with a unique view on New Jersey’s natural resources and our human impact on it.
For more information, contact
Stephanie DAlessio MA. Ed, CWF Director of Education: Email
609.984.0621
-OR-
Karen Byrne, for schorlarship opportunities: Email
609.748.4347
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