Last week we had the pleasure of bringing 300+ 6th Graders from Stafford Intermediate to the Barnegat Light area.
Teachers and students were able to receive hands on lessons thanks to the Jetty Rock Foundation and our partners who joined us for the two day field trips.
The MATES Academy, including Jetty Ambassador and teacher, Dave Werner provided seining opportunities to highlight the creatures who call Barnegat Bay home. Crabs, silversides, and sea robins highlighted the catches.
The Barnegat Oyster Collective brought cages and gear to showcase our organization's hero, the oyster. Students tried their hand at clamming, checked out the 8 year old oysters kept for research purposes, and learned about the importance of oysters and aquaculture.
Alliance for a Living Ocean took care of beach clean up duties, providing students with buckets and gloves to take to the beaches under Ol' Barney. As always we left the area cleaner than we found it.
Finally Barnegat Light State Park and naturalist Kelly Scott took students on a tour of the maritime forest which is part of the park. This unique area is vital habitat.
We are thankful for all our partners and Stafford Intermediate for making these trips happen. We're already planning for next year!
