Guardian Of Nature — ' 1 Institute Keeps Watch On Marshes

STONE HARBOR - Want to identify an unusual insect, a rare bird, an exotic fish? Would you like to learn how to “fish paint" or canoe through local salt marsh in search of endangered birds and aquatic life? These and numerous other services and activities focusing on the salt marsh and neighboring shore habitat are available at the Wetlands Institute, Stone Harbor. The Institute, overlooking an imposing sweep of salt marsh as far as the eye can see ■ dedicated to “saving and preserving critical habitats" comprised by the Southern New Jersey wetlands Funded and founded by the nonprofit World Wildlife Fund 10 years ago the Institute offers yearround services and activities for both visiting scientists and the public. "Our purpose is two-fold - to provide facilities for scientific research and to promote public educ*ion about the coastal wetlands." Anne Galli, Institute public education director said. Six research labs, dorm facilities, a 120-seat auditiorium. reference library and an observation tower are available for inhouse research, presentation of college credit and non-credit courses, craft classes and lectures. Research is funded by federal and state grants. Summer is the peak period for visiting scientists, Galli said« Research conducted at the Institute spans a wide spectrum of study in-

volving every facet of salt marsh life. Results are published in professional ' journals and selected are translated into lay language for the general public. A five-year study was recently completed on the species of fish inhabiting nearby Hereford Inlet, Galli said. Other types of ; research currently un*. derway are a study of Wood-boring shipworms, a study of bethnic organisms (mud dwellers) and a nutrient study of area waters to determine the mineral and nutrient composition. Results of such studies arc important for practical application to existing problems. Galli said. Report data is often vital to area fisherman. Galli said. The shipworm study, funded by the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission, is examing the effect of changed water temperature caused by a nuclear plant at Oyster Creek, N.J. on the propagation of the destructive organisms. Increased turbidity of the waters created by the nuclear cooling process is thought to promote a proliferation of. the worms which bore into wood surfaces such as docks and boats. Extensive property damage could be alleviated by conclusive research on the shipworms, Galli said. Many lectures and workshops are open to the public either at a small fee or free. The 1979 summer, lecture series, “Celebrating Cape May County," will present topics such as “Wildlife of

over the tranquil waters.

CONTEMPLATION Safe from the dangers of the modern-day world the rare egret spends a quiet moment on the protected salt marshes surrounding the Wetlands Institute.

Cape May County," " Commercial Fishing in Cape May," and "Landscape Plants for the Seashore Home.” Lectures are held at 8.15 p.m. every Saturday. Natural history film, guided outdoor explorations. family scavenger hunt and craft workshops will be held throughout the summer for a nominal fee to nonmembers. New this summer is a series of five-day miniecology courses for children, grades one through six. Activities will vary in nature and duration and will be geared to the learning capabilities of each age group, Galli said. The mini-courses will include field trips for observation of native marsh and shore plants and animals, discussions of finds and arts and crafts classes. In addition, marine ecology courses for students and teachers are conducted and administered each year by Lehigh University. The Institute acts as Leigh's field research station in

marine ecology, with the University responsible for the administration of research and education programs at the center. Institute membership are available from $10 for a student and $25 for a family up to $1,000 for patron, status. Many activities are free and open to the public, however, Galli stressed. "The Institute is for scientists and scientists do use it," Galli said. “But. we also have things here for non-scientists." she added.

marsh life can be experienced. A variety of rare, endangered birds such as the osprey, willets, purple martins, terns and longlegged waders can ne observed on the Institute's 35 acres of wetlands. Some 5.000 acres of state-owned salt marshes stretching from north of Wildwood to Sea Isle City and protected under the state’s Green Acre Act. adjoin the Institute's lands. Galli said. About 10,000 visitors from around the world visit

system, comprise the entire regular Institute ^Lilli said she would like to see increased public useage of the center, an expansion of Marine ecology school programs both at the Institute and in the schools, and more public craft classes, displays and exhibits. The Institute has a wealth of activities and information for everyone from the casual nature observer to the full-fledged scientist. And. it is con-

Photos by Marion Glaspey, Wetlands Institute

Galli said she Ihinka the the Institute yearly. Galli stantly improving and public is unaware the said. expanding its reach into Institute is -readily Galli, Marion Glasby, the community, available for public use. president of the board of "More and more people The Institute, she said, is directors and a man that are findingt out about us one of the few places a oversees the maintenance - land we’re very happy first-hand perspective of of the center's salt water about that." Galli said.