LARGE CROWD ATTENDS RBTB OPEN HOUSE

The 2012 Open House drew a standing room only crowd at the meeting room of the Ocean County Cooperative Extension Building last night.  Over new 50 people were in attendance to learn more about ReClam The Bay.  The event was led by Gef Flimlin who presented an overview of the Barnegat Bay Shellfish Restoration Program and how RCTB is a vital part of that program.  Gustavo Calvo marine scientist with the DEP Bureau of Fisheries spoke about how the bureau has contributed to the overall restoration program and to the construction of the oyster reef at the mouth of the Toms River.  Helen Henderson from the American Littoral Society explained the goals of her group and of their partnership with RBTB especially in the construction of upwellers and work on the oyster reef. Cara Musico spoke about her expertise in water quality measurement and how a few members received a grant and have been active in this area last season.  Wes Dalzell ran a power point presentation that highlighted all our activities from last year and set up a tank with live calms and connected it to a large TV screen so the audience could watch as they extended their siphons and feet in search of food.  We are hoping that many people who attended the event will return next week to take the course and become active members of RCTB.

The Secret Life of Plankton

• Plankton are tiny floating organisms (living things) that are found in both the sea and ponds and lakes.

• The word ‘plankton’ comes from a Greek word meaning ‘wandering’.

• Plankton is a general term that includes every marine organism too small and weak to swim for itself.

• The smallest algae are called plankton, but large floating algae (seaweeds) are not called plankton.

• Plankton can be divided into phytoplankton, which are tiny plants, and zooplankton, which are tiny animals, but the division is blurred.

• Most phytoplankton is very tiny indeed and so called nannoplankton and microplankton. Zooplankton is generally bigger and called macroplankton.

• Green algae that give many ponds a bright green floating carpet are kinds of plankton.

• Phytoplankton get their energy by photosynthesis just like other plants.

• Countless puffs of oxygen given out by plankton early in Earth’s history gave the air its vital oxygen.

• Plankton is the basic food of all shellfish.

  Gef would like to share this fascinating video

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFQ_fO2D7f0&feature=player_embedded#!

RCTB to Receive EPA Award

ReClam the Bay was awarded the 2012 US EPA Environmental Quality Award. Each April, EPA honors individuals and organizations who have contributed significantly to improving the environment during the prior year in New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

RCTB is honored to receive this, EPA’s highest award for a Non-Profit Organization, Environmental or Community Group. To be selected, nominees must have:

· Significantly contributed to improving environmental quality in New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands during the prior year.

· Demonstrated a high achievement level in the award category.

· Created unique or location-specific benefits, produced results that are sustainable or reproducible, or increased public involvement in environmental action.

Rick Bushnell President and one of the founders of RCTB said “The letter was addressed to me but it is the result of some truly amazing volunteers. In accepting the award we must point out that RCTB would not exist if it were not for the efforts of the Barnegat Bay Shellfish Restoration Project and the special effort of Gef Flimlin and Cara Muscio the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Marine agents.” He went on to thank the many other organizations with whom RCTB partners to educate and INVOLVE residents and visitors to NJ. Special thanks to the Barnegat Bay Partnership who nominated RCTB.

For more Information about the award go to EPA.

Herb Segars, Underwater Photographer

Herb Segars has been diving and photographing marine life in New Jersey waters for the past thirty years. On Saturday he presented the summation of his life's work in a fascinating and educational presentation entitled “Beneath the Garden State” to a crowded room at the LBI Foundation of Arts and Science in Loveladies and also at the New Jersey Maritime Museum in Beach Haven. The photographs depict rarely seen images, up close and personal, of the varied and beautiful marine life found near coastal shipwrecks and reefs. He has just finished a beautiful book of his photograph called “Beneath the Garden State: Exploring Aquatic New Jersey” that will be available in bookstores next month.

The film “Ocean Frontiers: The Dawn of a New Era in Ocean Stewardship” will make its premier screening in New Jersey on Thursday April 5^th at Wilson Hall Auditorium, Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute at 6:30 PM. The film is a documentay and outreach campaign to inspire and mobilize audiences to better care for the ocean for the good of all. It outlines a new way of cooperation to sustain the sea and our coastal and ocean economies. A panel discussion of distinquished advocates will follow the screening.