Barnegat Bay Environmental Educators Roundtable

Lighthouse Camp for Natural Resource Education — Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education

Each year, teachers, environmental educators and nature enthusiasts from around the watershed (and around the state!) look forward to the Barnegat Bay Environmental Educators Roundtable, OCSCD’s annual professional development event. Continue reading to learn more about this year’s event, or scroll below to Explore Our Past Environmental Educators Roundtables to view last year’s Agenda, Keynote Presentation, Workshops, Field Trip, and Exhibitors.

The 28th Annual Barnegat Bay Environmental Educators Roundtable was held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at the Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education, Waretown, NJ. Our 2025 theme was Caring for Our Precious Natural Resources: Considering Conservation, Climate and Community. This theme highlights a holistic approach to environmental education by focusing on the interconnectedness of ecosystems, climate resilience, and community involvement as it pertains to the unique ecological significance of the Barnegat Bay watershed. Through collaborative learning and exploration, we hope we empowered educators to impart invaluable knowledge on future generations, fostering a legacy of conservation and environmental responsibility.

Conservation: emphasizes protecting biodiversity, habitats, and soil & water resources, essential for sustaining ecological balance and the health of all living organisms. Educators explore local conservation efforts, best practices for preserving habitats, and strategies for maintaining ecological integrity.
Climate: underscores the importance of addressing climate change impacts on natural resources, emphasizing how rising temperatures, severe weather events, and sea-level rise threaten ecosystems. Topics include climate adaptation strategies and mitigation measures, especially in vulnerable coastal areas, such as the Barnegat Bay watershed.
Community: reinforces the idea that sustainable environmental stewardship is a community effort. By engaging teachers, students and community members in conservation initiatives, we promote awareness and collective responsibility, fostering partnerships among environmental organizations, schools, local governments, and citizens to protect and preserve natural resources.

Agenda:

3:00pm Open House: Dozens of local environmental organizations exhibited in the Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education, offering guests opportunity to peruse their tables, and speak to professionals about the educational resources and services they offer to teachers.
3:00-4:00pm Dinner: Everyone enjoyed a delicious dinner, catered by Bonefish Grille of Brick, provided by the Ocean County Soil Conservation District.
4:00pm Welcome Remarks: OCSCD addressed attendees prior to Workshops and Field Experiences.
4:30-5:30pm Workshops: Session One Workshops and All 2-hour Field Experiences began.
5:40-6:40pm Workshops: Session Two Workshops and All 2-hour Field Experiences continued until 6:30pm.
6:45-7:00pm Dessert: Sweet snacks, goodies, coffee and tea were served in the Locandro Lodge.
7:00-7:45pm Keynote Presentation: “Students Leading Research and Conservation Efforts”, presented by Julianna Cofinas and Nicholas Guerriero
7:45-8:00pm Door Prizes: Registered (paid) guests received a ticket at the door for a chance to win a Door Prize as our Thank You! for attending this year’s Barnegat Bay Environmental Educators Roundtable.

Keynote Presentation: “Students Leading Research and Conservation Efforts”, presented by Julianna Cofinas and Nicholas Guerriero

Julianna Cofinas is a recent graduate of Kean University with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science. She grew up in Jackson and worked for the Monmouth County Park System as a Naturalist where she had the opportunity to teach kids and adults about our local environment. She is passionate about sustainability and spends her free time exploring local parks, reading and learning! She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in environmental science to eventually work as an educator, teaching others about our wonderful natural world through developing educational materials including books, articles and museum displays.

Project Abstract: The Manasquan Reservoir is a man-made reservoir that was constructed in 1990 which consists of multiple pedestrian trails around the pine-oak forest and six major freshwater wetlands that were created after construction. This project analyzed the soil surrounding three of these wetlands along with points along the five-mile perimeter trail in order to compare various characteristics of wetland soil and trail soil. Three soil samples from each of the selected wetlands and three from the pedestrian trail were collected and pH tested, sieved for a textural analysis, and assessed for plant-available nutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

The pH levels of the wetland and trail soils did not show much diversity and overall indicated an average value of 6, which is more basic than average pH of 4.5-5.5 for the Coastal Plain of New Jersey. The wetland soils displayed a variety of soil textures including sandy clay loam, loamy sand, and sandy loam, while all the trail samples were sandy loam. While nitrogen was not present in any soil samples, the trail soil samples indicated higher levels of phosphorus than the wetland soil and implies a source of nutrients from neighboring homes or another human source. A surplus of potassium was revealed in all wetland samples and requires more testing to determine the cause of these excess nutrients. Further research of the reservoir’s construction history and continued nutrient testing of the wetland soil will help ensure the wetlands of the Manasquan Reservoir remain protected and unaffected by human influence so the ecosystem can continue to develop and thrive.

Nick Guerriero is a graduate of the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES) and is a current student at Stockton University studying Environmental Science with a Concentration in Soil Science and Hydrology. Nick is a licensed maritime captain who runs the Bayview Harbor Excursions program and works as an oyster farmer, nursery manager and shucker for the Barnegat Oyster Collective. He is also the First Mate of Lady Grace Yacht Charters, Captain of the Research Vessel Sirenia for MATES, and a research intern and volunteer with ReClam the Bay. In his free time, Nick is an avid fisherman, freediver, and surfer. Nick has been a grant recipient of Save Barnegat Bay’s Student Grant Program for three consecutive years for his research on shellfish and now serves as a Save Barnegat Bay Board Director.

Research Description: Nick began independent research at MATES with two projects focusing on measuring filtration rates of the hard clam and eastern oyster. These projects utilized novel techniques for measuring a “filtration rate” through chlorophyll pigment and dissolved oxygen decline in the water.

He carried on this shellfish research by examining bacterial relaying rates in hard clams in varying simulated seasonal water environments using a gut strain of E. coli as a representative coliform. This was to determine the differences in relaying efficacy throughout the year. Nick then was awarded grant funding from ReClam the Bay and Save Barnegat Bay for his work studying seasonal chlorophyll abundance, phytoplankton speciation, calcium carbonate abundance, water temperature and salinity to compare their relationship to shellfish growth. Over these two years, this data was provided to ReClam the Bay and published to allow other groups to use these testing methods to better inform new site placement. Nick’s most recent work was studying trace heavy metals of copper and zinc in shellfish tissue through graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GFAAS) to trace possible point-source pollution of active ingredients from marine anti-fouling paints.

Workshops

Session 1: (4:30-5:30pm)

Become a “Community Scientist” using iNaturalist presented by Lois Lyons, NJ School of Conservation

National Geographic’s iNaturalist App is utilized by researchers world wide. Learn to use iNaturalist to take research-grade photographs for the iNaturalist database, as we walk the grounds of the Lighthouse Center. Teach your students how to collect and contribute data to the database to use for their own projects. Before arriving, download the free iNaturalist App on your smartphone. Create an account (suggested password: FirstName_Lighthouse); bring your fully charged smartphone.

The Soil Beneath Your Feet presented by Jessica Pinto, Ocean County Soil Conservation District

This indoor/outdoor workshop digs deep into Soil Science! Participants will learn how to locate and identify the different soil series (a “soil series” is akin to a “species”) beneath your feet, including your schoolyard. You’ll explore a mini soil pit and observe the diverse horizons comprising a soil series, and investigate the sandy textures of each soil horizon. Gain an understanding of which native plants grow best in different soil series.

Session 2: (5:40-6:40pm)

Color Changing Times: Ocean Acidification and Blue Carbon Mitigation presented by Mindy Voss and Jody Sackett, New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium

This indoor session will guide attendees in understanding Ocean Acidification (OA) through various hands-on and engaging Lab activities, including: how excess Co2 causes OA, pH measurements & OA, Co2 in a cup, OA & combustion, and an OA lego game. Participants will discover how restoring blue carbon ecosystems such as salt marshes, mangroves, and kelp beds can enhance the resilience of our marine environments and potentially mitigate the effects of acidification.

Frogs presented by Ron Smith, retired New Jersey High School Teacher

Look, listen and learn about the different species of frogs found in south Jersey. Explore amphibian diversity in our woodlands and wetlands and learn ways to introduce your students to this vulnerable group of organisms. We will be exploring wet and muddy areas outside, dress appropriately (spring weather can be unexpectedly cold) and bring or wear muck boots or shoes you don’t mind getting wet (bring an extra dry pair to change into). Prepare to walk on muddy uneven terrain.

Field Experiences: (4:30-6:30pm)

Stockton Maple Project presented by Debra Sommers and Lindsey Brown, Stockton Maple Project

From sap to syrup! Pure maple syrup is an all natural forest product. Learn the science, sustainability, and reciprocity behind maple syrup and the sugaring process. Maple sugaring is a sustainable practice that has been implemented by the Native Americans, the early settlers, and it continues today. The process is done without harm to the trees that are tapped. Join us for an interactive workshop from the Stockton Maple Project. Dress appropriately for outdoor learning!

My Coast: New Jersey presented by Kaitlin Gannon and Amanda Archer, JCNERR

We live in a rapidly changing world. MyCoast: NJ is a digital tool which encourages community members to help document our changing coastline. Participants will be introduced to activities they can do with their students that use storytelling and photos as a way to discuss climate impacts and the complex emotions that come with it. This program takes place both indoors and outside, so be sure to dress appropriately for the weather.

Explore Your World presented by Marc Rogoff, NJDEP, and Jim Webster, ASTRA, Dar Sky NJ & Sci Starter

Our planet, solar system and universe are vast! This program shows teachers how to make observations of the Earth, sky, sun and stars over the course of a year. It offers “reasons for the seasons”, delves into the celestial North Pole, the ecliptic, and constellations. Hands-on activities, demonstrations, apps, and hand-outs are offered to support teaching and learning about the sky, stars, light and dark. This program takes place both indoors and outside, so dress appropriately!

Mother Nature’s Bugs on the Bottom presented by Chris Claus Ocean County Parks & Recreation, and Forest Jennings, New Jersey Watershed Ambassador

Experience two fun and free programs you can bring to your classroom: Borrow a Naturalist and Macroinvertebrates. Take a guided ecology walk to a fresh water pond – mimicking a guided schoolyard walk with your students – and learn about the natural world around you. At the pond you’ll dip for macroinvertebrates (bugs who live on the bottom). Back in the classroom, you’ll ID the macros and explore their important role as water quality indicators. Invite the guides to your classroom!

Exhibitors:

History of the Barnegat Bay Environmental Educators Roundtable:

The Ocean County Soil Conservation District has been effectively coordinating and implementing this professional development event since 1997. It is specifically designed for educators to enhance their knowledge of local natural resources, culture and history, and gain valuable tools that support environmental topics in the classroom, through participation in hands-on, experiential workshops and field trips. The Roundtable helps promote a commitment to environmental stewardship in educators and the students they teach.

This Professional Development program is Ocean County Soil Conservation District’s annual signature event. The Open House hosts nearly two dozen exhibitors, and dinner and desert are served to our hungry Educators. Each year offers a different theme that guides the focus of our workshops and field trips. Our Keynote Speaker concludes the evening with an inspirational presentation, followed by Door Prizes.

The Roundtable has a proven success rate with Ocean County educators. The educational programs and opportunities available from all participating agencies, organizations and groups allows a comprehensive approach to watershed education and provides educators with a “one-stop-shop” approach. It is well known that educators are more likely to present and teach topics with which they are familiar and comfortable. The main goal and objective of the annual Barnegat Bay Environmental Educators Roundtable is to provide this opportunity for teachers and to spur action to improve and protect the health of the Barnegat Bay watershed.

We hope you will join us in 2025 for our 28th Annual Barnegat Bay Environmental Educators Roundtable. For more information, contact Becky Laboy, Education Outreach Coordinator, education@soildistrict.org. In addition, please peruse our Lesson Plans & Resources for Educators webpage to find pertinent teaching and learning materials for your classroom or outdoor learning experiences.

Terry O’Leary and McDuffy Barrow, of the Forest Resource Education Center, teach a group of educators about bees at the 2010 Environmental Educators Roundtable.

“Excellent workshops! I will use the lessons in my own class and will share with other teachers in my school. Thank you!!” ~Anne B. Stafford Intermediate School