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Sedge Island Summer Field Experiences
The Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center offers week long experiences in the heart of Barnegat Bay.
 | Sedge Island Summer Field ExperienceA slideshow of photos from previous Sedge Island Summer Field Experiences on Barnegat Bay. |
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.
Participants will immerse themselves into the salt march ecosystem. They will explore the natural and cultural history of Barnegat Bay as well as current environmental issues affecting the bay.
3 Programs will be offered in 2016:
Zoom+ The catch of the week - a 30 inch long fluke caught by Stephen M. Alissa Pazienza
Sedge Island Fishing Experience
June 23 to 26, 2016 or August 25 to 28, 2016
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 2016. 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.
Zoom+ A northern diamondback terrapin hatchling poses for a photo while it is being studied and described in a campers journal entry. Alex Devoy
Sedge Island Field Experience
July 18 to 21, 2016
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 2016. Students will spend their days 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.
Participants will:
- Explore the Barnegat Bay ecosystem using kayaks, microscopes, water testing equipment, nets, and other scientific tools;
- 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;
- Learn about sustainability and stewardship to, in turn, teach others the value of protecting the environment;
Students will leave with a better understanding of the personal choices they face in order to make a positive impact upon their 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.
Sedge Island Field and Research Experience
July 6 to 12, 2016
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 2015. 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 Lighthouse Center in Waretown and the Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center will be the setting for this camp and the research that will take place.
Please note that scholarships are available. Contact Karen Byrne at (609) 748-4347 for more information.
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