The LBIF Science Committee (LBIF SC) wants to make everyone aware of our various projects so they can enjoy them or help out. Select project below
Exploring Science at LBIF
Learn
If you want to know more about the world in which you live we invite you to participate in some mind expanding activities! We invite you to explore with us. “LBIF Science Explorers.” Science Explorers come in all sizes, ages and levels of knowledge, but we share one thing in common; a love of learning and a curiosity about the world around us.
The Goal of the Science Committee at the LBIF is to help everyone enjoy and discover the nature and the science that surrounds us. We are looking for people to help the LBIF bring knowledge and appreciation to young and old - visitors and residents of LBI. Our tag line is “Let’s Discover Together”
For more details about any of the programs or how you can participate please call the office 609 494 1241.
Winter projects –
Science Saturdays – Bob Block has set up a great series of sessions for 2012 and needs people to help to welcome the visitors and facilitate the events from February to May.
Video Documentaries – Steve Miller has taken a giant first step in video-documenting 2011 activities. Now we need to edit and organize the information as well as plan some activities for 2012. People want to view science and beauty “on screen,” whether it is on the Internet or the new LARGE SCREEN MONITOR at the Foundation. Help in all aspects of video production.
Be a builder – Enrico, Rick, Fred, John need some help. In 2010 and 2011 we assembled a 450 foot Marsh Walk, erected an osprey platform and other neat stuff. We always have stuff to build and maintain.
Project Power – Work with John Petralia, Jay Madden and others while you learn about conserving power and alternative energy by serving on a team dedicated to reducing costs for energy at the foundation.
Spring to summer –
Discovery Days - Help out and learn with Angela Anderson, Rick Bushnell, Marc Labella and naturalists from Cattus Island State Park. Each Friday during the summer for about 1.5 hours, help the experts who will help visitors discover the salt marsh, the rain garden and the conservation and generation of electric. (You can learn while helping out….or give the presentation yourself, if you are qualified)
Be a rain gardener – The rain garden is now in its third year. Angela and others have made some additions but we need to line up help to plan other modifications and to, maintain it.
Save the Terrapins – Work with Dr. John Wnek and learn how to care for turtle eggs left on the island by “mommy turtles.” Keep them safe, monitor them and see them hatch!
Barnegat Bay Day, (July 2012) Fred and Arlene did great job in 2010 and 2011. They want to turn over the reins but are very willing to help out. They have established a process to make BB Day happen but we need some “new blood.” This is THE FUN LEARNING event for the summer and will be lots of fun for kids and adults. If you have experience with any fairs or festivals you will be a great asset. If you don’t have any experience but want to help….we sure could use you.
See what we did in 2011 at EVENTS
Science Committee Report
Annual meeting August 2011
This was a year to refine activities. Our greatest success has been elevating the environmental aspects of the LBIF in the eyes of the community and attracting members and non-members to our facilities. The biggest challenge we still face is to convert visitors to members and to find people to help facilitate the many programs. Details on all the activities are at the web site. Go to lbifoundation.org and select Science Activities on the menu on the left. Comment: We really need help to maintain the web site. This is not technical issue. It involves reviewing editing and writing. Please call me!
Activities – Co-chairs Angela Andersen and Rick Bushnell have structured the science related activities on a foundation comprising the Island Blue Pages, Science Saturdays and Discovery days. All the actives result from, or in support of one of these three pillars. They are briefly identified below in somewhat chronological order.
- Island Blue Pages – John and Nancy Petralia – This wonderfully prepared guide to Barnegat Bay and LBI deals with the culture, history, environmental condition and ways to improve the bay. The knowledge contained in the various chapters serves as the center piece of knowledge for all the LBIF Science programs and has receives wide acclaimed. Although it is available electronically, it is a great beach read and, after printing 3,000 we need to print more and must find funding to do it.
- Science Saturdays –Bob Block with assistance from Angela Andersen - for the fourth year we produced an outstanding series with top-notch speakers. The series has attracted hundreds of people to the LBIF from February to May. See links on the website to view 2011 presentations. 2012 calendar is already in the works.
- BB Day - Fred and Arlene Schragger – This event Attracted around 750 people who wanted to learn about the bay and the environment. In addition to attracting the public, we gained new eco vendors and volunteers. After two years of yeoman service Fred and Arlene would like to find a volunteer to work with and ultimately turn the project over to.
- Discovery days – Rick Bushnell, Angela Andersen, Marc Labelle-With support from Southern Ocean Birding Group, ReClam the Bay and the Cattus Island Park staff - Attracted 15 to 30 people each Friday during the summer. The roof deck, solar panels, rain garden, turtle hatchery and marsh walk were all used as the open classroom to so visitors could learn through experiencing the environment first hand.
- Rain Garden - Angela Andersen - In addition to use during Discovery Days the garden was the host location for public programs highlighting rain gardening, backyard composting, stormwater and recycling. We are still seeking members to oversee modifications, and maintenance of the garden.
- Project Power - Rick Bushnell, Bill Clark, and John Petralia – This project has received a great deal of visibility since LBIF is exploring the erection of a wind turbine as part of the alternative energy education. The wind turbine is only part of the work of the group. For the greater good, the group has joined with architect Jay Madden, Chair of the Building and Grounds Committee to establish an Energy Conservation and Alternative Task Force to reduce the LBIF energy costs and to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. The goal is to involve LBIF members to learn important lessons about energy conservation AND alternative energy sources so that they conserve energy at home or at their place of work. Comment: Did you know that you can take action TODAY to reduce your own use of foreign oil. You can sign up for green energy to be delivered right over your existing electric lines. See Rick, or Chris or go to the web site for details. If you are serious about energy you should do this.
- Project Terrapin (Dr. John Wnek – Professor at Marine Academy for Technology and Environmental Science MATES:) The goal is to involve LBIF members in the rescue and monitoring of eggs to hatchling terrapins. John Wnek, professor at Marine Academy for Technology and Environmental has held training and is rescuing nest and placing them at the hatchery on LBIF grounds. Turtles are starting to hatch now. Blog
- LBIF Video- Steve Miller This is a multipart activity starting with obtaining live video of various activities at the foundation. This includes shooting, editing and posting material on YouTube. Later phases include showing content on our new 52 inch monitor where these and other presentation can be viewed. During the winter we will expand content and refine our video library. Next year we would like to have a “getting started” video class so people can make their own documentary – What I Learned On LBI. Of course we will show them on the BIG monitor and they may even find their way into the film festival!
- Camp Presentations – Rick Bushnell, Angela Andersen and ReClam the Bay– Working with Val, presentations were made to the camp kids throughout the summer. The content related to the things covered in Discovery Days and introduced the children to environmental knowledge found at the LBIF facility.
- LBIF as host- We hosted the 2011 Teach at the Beach in conjunction with the NJ Marine Education Association. It was a new partnership and a continuation of our effort to use our facility as a host for forums for our broader statewide community. (We also hosted the annual Environmental Colloquium) Teach at the Beach exposed a hundred NJ teachers to our facility, most for the first time.
Of course all these activities have a great deal of staff involvement and we want to thank Enrico, Mark, Chris Seiz, Candice, Val and the other Chris along with Rachael and Lydia.
We need volunteers for 2011 and 2012 Please call the office or me at 732 644 8961.
KNOWLEDGE