Stone Harbor and the environment
A sign at the Stone Harbor Wetlands Institute is thought-provoking: “Roughly 75% of all commercial fish begin their life in the back bays and salt marshes.”
It is general knowledge for many of us, but an eye-opener for others.
The Wetlands Institute is located at 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd. overlooking many acres of marshes.
In addition, Stone Harbor has its own Bird Sanctuary, a wildlife preserve in town that looks like life in southern New Jersey hundreds of years ago when the Lenni Lenape spent their summers hunting for birds, caught native animals and drank out of freshwater springs surrounded by salt and brackish water.
A day can be spent in Stone Harbor learning and observing protected natural beauty.
Both the Stone Harbor Wetlands Institute and the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary were started by groups of dedicated environmentalists who wanted to share their knowledge. Now scientists are sharing their knowledge with visitors of all ages and working on problems all coastal New Jersey will encounter in the future.
1960s
Herbert Mills succeeded in his life dream of having a first-class “research, education, and conservation center at the Jersey Shore that would educate people of all ages about the beauty and wonders of the coastal environment and importance of that environment to their daily lives,” according to the center’s website.
He spent his working years in the local glass and canning industries, plus having a lifetime observing nature. Herbert Mills joined the Audubon Society at
the age of seven.
In 1967, Mills retired to become executive director of the World Wildlife Fund. Under his leadership, this group bought 6,000 acres of salt marsh in the Cape May Wetlands Management Area in Middle Township.
Today, 34 acres consists of the Wetlands Institute and the rest is the Green Acres Program. The classic cedar shake building, with watch tower, stands as a lasting statement to safe environmental practices.
It was an exciting day on Sept. 16, 1972, when Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands arrived to be the speaker dedicating the official start of the Wetlands
Institute.
He was a close friend of Mills, in addition to being president of the World Wildlife Fund. After a few years under the leadership of Lehigh University, and Mills’ death, the Wetlands Institute became a leading entity of their own, with a motto of “coastal environmental education, research, and conservation.”
Financially, they survive as a nonprofit through private sources.
Future problems
Mother Nature is creating critical areas for those of us who live along the New Jersey Coast.
Global warming, sea level rise, more decimating storms, erosion, offshore wind turbines and other energy developments are in our thoughts today. No matter what peoples’ opinions, everyone admits our problems with nature are real. What no group can agree on is what to do, and how far out in the future these actions will occur.
The Wetlands Institute experiments with future problems including sustainable development.
It is imperative to maintain our natural systems to protect against flooding and destruction of buildings and boardwalks. Herbert Mills stressed this many years ago, calling for a need for “macrodynamics of the giant reservoir.” Thus, the protection of the 75 percent of commercial fish eaten locally in addition to being shipped worldwide.
All towns need to protect dunes and the resort towns behind them. No one who was affected by superstorm Sandy will ever forget the devastation it left.
For example, periwinkle snails, which have taken over wetlands in many areas turning them into mud flats, must be curtailed. Diamond back terrapins are the snails’ predators. Walking the pathways and looking into the marshes, visitors can see small wire cages. Underneath and unseen, lie terrapin eggs, waiting to be hatched in the spring. Signs are everywhere, reminding us not to touch these cages. Each one is numbered for experiments and watched.
Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary
Visiting the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary during the winter is a pleasure. The silence is refreshing from summer activities, cars and birds of all types in the trees.
Located on 21 acres, it was started in 1961 with just a fence to protect the evergrowing number of herons that nested in this quiet area of town. By 1964, it was estimated that 5,000 birds would stop here, either to nest or stop for a few days before migrating north in the spring and south in the winter.
Sadly, 35 years later most of these shore birds had disappeared. No one knew why; but we’re determined to do something to make them return.
Among efforts have been getting rid of non-native, invasive plants and trees, and increasing the level of tidal water.
Today, there are dense bushes and shrubs, a maritime forest, fresh-water meadow, and trails for all visitors to enjoy. Signs to remind people not to let dogs and young children off the trails are common. No one would want to weave through the dense brush full of prickers anyway.
The Bird Sanctuary is a place for quiet reflection and listening for birds. Wind could be heard in tree-tops and leaves scattered the paths without a sound. Fallen trees are mainly left as they are; many covered with ivy vines. Winter is a prime time for the hollies covered with bright red berries for the holidays.
The Bird Sanctuary was started in 1941 by a group of resident ornithologists.
Six years later, the Stone Harbor Borough Council dedicated 21 acres that would be forever protected for birds.
Today, it is one of the few bird sanctuaries that are completely surrounded by residential areas.
Creating conditions for both migratory and nesting birds has proven fruitful. Birds are returning in droves. The United States Park Service has designated the land as a National Natural Landmark. Over a million people from around the world have visited this Sanctuary.
Serenity and tourism
Stone Harbor is a unique town.
Local residents support both the Wetlands Institute and the Bird Sanctuary. They are determined to have a healthy environment now and in the future. Research and conservation are on scientists’ minds. They study birds, turtles, wetlands, a maritime forest and other problems in an effort to stabilize the marshes and keep the sea from rising too much in the future. Thinking ahead now with solutions will help generations and generations.
The New York Times referred to Stone Harbor as “The Everglades of New Jersey.” In turn, visitors contribute to the financial stability of the town.
Where else have you been that has two places of environmental concern with classes, programs, guides and volunteers ready and willing to offer explanations?
The Stone Harbor Wetlands Institute 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd., Stone Harbor, NJ 08247
609-368-1211
Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary info@stoneharborbirdsanctuary.org 609-368-5102