Adopt an Osprey Platform
Contribute to the resilience of ospreys along the Jersey Shore.
With your support we can make sure that osprey nesting structures remain in good condition on the Jersey Shore. © Ray Hennessy
Since we started our Osprey Conservation Project, called the New Jersey Osprey Project in 2008, we have raised private funding to help the population to fully recover from the effects of DDT, persecution and habitat loss along the coast. We've concentrated our efforts in areas where the number of suitable nesting platforms were limiting the growth of the population. Over the past 5 years we have installed over 150 nesting platforms, which give ospreys their best chance at raising young. Platforms keep their nests well above flood tides and gives them protection from predators. Most are installed on publicly owned open space and all survived the wrath of Superstorm Sandy. However, each year more and more platforms become damaged or disappear during the winter months, especially older platforms and those that are not designed and installed to our specifications. With this new program individuals (or groups and businesses) can "adopt" an existing osprey nest platform. Your adoption will make sure the platform you adopt stays in good, working condition. If it become damaged or needs repair, we'll be there to do the work.
Contact us and we will work with you to select a suitable nest platform for adoption. After that a link to donate will be emailed to you. Then we will confirm the adoption and create a certificate for you with a map of the location of the platform. Then during the next nesting season for ospreys, we will take a photo of the nest platform and young (if any) and send a digital photo to you via email. We are currently only accepting adoptions of nests within Barnegat Bay, Little Egg Harbor, and Great Bay estuaries.
Watersheds:
- Barnegat Bay
- Little Egg Harbor
- Great Bay
Benefits:
- Receive a complimentary one-year membership to Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ.
- An Adopt a Platform certificate and map depicting the location of the nest site, including a link to where the nest can be viewed on a map online.
- A digital photo of the nesting platform showing its current condition.
- information about the history of the nest and past use.
Included with the adoption of an Osprey platform is this certificate and a map of the location of the platform. View a PDF version.
Adopt-a-Platform ~ $250
To adopt a nest platform, please contact Ben before proceeding with donation:
Ben Wurst, Senior Wildlife Biologist: Email
