Photos by STEVE JASIECKI/Young girl looks at a periwinkle clinging to a stalk of salt-marsh grass.
Submitted by SUSTAINABLE DOWNBEACH
MARGATE - The Wetlands Wonderland exhibit at Ray Scotts Dock Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21-22 during the annual Fall Funfest by the Bay provided a great educational experience for those wanting to learn more about the wetlands and the critters that live there.
Members of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center gave a sea turtle stranding demonstration and educated attendees about marine mammals and sea turtles. They talked about their rescue operations and rehabilitation of animals recovered up and down the Jersey coast.
Sea Turtle rescue demo.
Representatives of Surfrider Foundation South Jersey Chapter talked about the work they are doing to help mitigate the amount of plastic entering the waterways and the importance of the wetlands.
Surfrider promotes environmental programs, such as Ocean Friendly Restaurants, monofilament fishing line collection bins, beach cleanups, using stainless steel straws instead of plastic straws, to help keep the waterways clean and safe, Margate green team Chairman Steve Jasiecki said. Capt. Bill Stuempfig, vice-chairman of the South Jersey Surfrider chapter, was on hand to talk about his work protecting ospreys and gave a demonstration on knot-tying.
Artifacts on display at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center table.
The Leatherback Seaturtle Trust had artifacts on display and led discussions on sea turtles.
Sustainable Downbeach, which includes the green teams of Ventnor, Margate and Longport, presented a variety of shells, starfish and other things that wash up on Jersey beaches. Green team volunteers talked about how the wetlands and beaches are home to a variety of sea creatures and the importance of being good stewards of the marine environment. Their Beach in a Box display gave children the opportunity to sift through a box of sand to find shark teeth, which they were able to take home.
Sustainable Downbeach also offered eco kayak tours leading paddlers across the bay to see the salt marsh up close.
Ray Scotts Dock sent out a fleet of boats carrying 30 participants who released small terrapins that had been recovered over the year and raised to a safe size so they can survive in the marsh.
For more information about how you can protect the environment, see Sustainable Downbeach on Facebook or call Steve Jasiecki at 609-412-3648.
