Nacote Creek Marine Science and Environmental Field Station

Nacote Creek Marine Science and Environmental Field Station Mullica River-Great Bay Estuary Port Republic, NJ Annual Summary Academic Year 2005-2006 Steve Evert Field Station Manager Richard Stockton College of NJ NAMS Division

OVERVIEW The Nacote Creek Marine Science and Environmental Field Station has entered its 14 th year of academic service to the College. The facility provides course and research support to NAMS faculty and students in the Marine Science, Biology, Environmental Studies, Chemistry and General Studies programs. The facility also houses the Coastal Research Center (CRC). In 2005 the Board of Trustees approved the first phase of the Nacote Creek Rehabilitation and Upgrade Project to address facility issues currently beyond the scope of the College s Plant Management Office. During Phase I of this project, plans are being designed for a critical addition to the Facility s teaching and research space. An assessment of additional space needs of the CRC has been added to this project as well. Highlights of the 2005-2006 Academic Year include increased Program use (especially BIOL), additional funded student research opportunities, and the implementation of Phase I of the Nacote Creek Rehabilitation Project. In the coming year, the NAMS Division will work closely with the Office of Facilities Planning and Construction to move into Phases II and III of the project and continue assessment of additional space needs for the expanding Coastal Research Center. The management of the Field Station will continue working closely with NAMS faculty to offer students increased field and laboratory experiences through additional course offerings, independent studies teams and faculty-led research projects.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction pg. 1 Program Support.. pgs. 1-2 Research Activities.. pgs. 2-4 Partnerships, research contracts and grants pgs. 4-6 Outreach programs and community service. pgs. 6-7 Tours and visiting groups.. pgs. 7-8 Facilities and research vessels pgs. 8-9 Summary pg. 9

INTRODUCTION The Nacote Creek Marine Science and Environmental Field Station has entered its 14 th year of academic service to the College. The facility provides course and research support to NAMS faculty and students in the Marine Science, Biology, Environmental Studies, Chemistry and General Studies programs. The facility also houses the Coastal Research Center (CRC) and provides considerable support to their grant and contract-funded research projects. In 2005 the Board of Trustees approved the first phase of the Nacote Creek Rehabilitation and Upgrade Project to address facility issues currently beyond the scope of the College s Plant Management Office. During Phase I of this project, plans are being designed for a critical addition to the teaching and research space in Building 501. The assessment of additional space needs for the Coastal Research Center is also being considered. The NAMS Division is hopeful that the Rehabilitation Project will continue through Phases II and III during the next academic year, with possible construction and additional planning taking place in 2007. PROGRAM SUPPORT The Marine Science and Environmental Field Station provides the facilities, research vessels, sampling equipment, and staff to ensure Stockton students hands-on learning experiences in a marine environment second to none. Our location within the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve (JC NERR) provides faculty and students an opportunity to study in one of the most pristine marine environments in the Northeast United States. The MARS program remains the most frequent user of the Field Station. MARS students spend several semesters at the Field Station throughout their academic career at Stockton. Students also become involved in numerous research opportunities (see Faculty and student research ). The following MARS courses utilized the Field Station during AY 05/06; MARS 2201, Introduction to Marine Biology MARS 3300, Invertebrate Zoology MARS 3335, Marine Botany MARS 3340, Ichthyology MARS 3500, NJ Seal Study MARS 3351, Methods in Oceanography MARS 3746, NJ Field Ichthyology MARS 3499, Seal Biology and Behavior 1

The BIOL program has increased its use of the Field Station by offering several research opportunities and courses at the Field Station. Drs. Pete Straub, Dan Hernandez, Rich Hager, and Carol Slocum each offer course and research opportunities to BIOL students. The following BIOL courses utilized the Field Station during AY 05/06; BIOL 1100, Organisms and Evolution BIOL 3300, Invertebrate Zoology (CL) BIOL 3465, Tide Marsh Ecology BIOL 3746, NJ Field Ichthyology (CL) BIOL 3499, Seal Biology and Behavior (CL) BIOL 3500, NJ Seal Study (CL) BIOL 2175, Scientific Diving The ENVL Program has faculty and students who are interested in the marine environment. Several of the ENVL faculty are using the facility to support research in or near the estuarine systems of southern New Jersey and are finding the Field Station Staffs expertise in water quality monitoring a great benefit to their programs. The following courses utilized the Field Station during AY 05/06; ENVL 3334, Water Chemistry ENVL 3337, Water Quality Analysis The CHEM program has developed closer ties with the Field Station through the cross-listing of activities with marine interests, including chemical oceanography and research projects under the direction of Drs. Gordon Grguric, Tait Chirenje and Kristen Hallock-Waters. The following courses utilized the Field Station for some portion of their activities during AY 05/06; CHEM 3334, Water Chemistry CHEM 3530, Environmental Chemistry CHEM 3580, Atmospheric Chemistry RESEARCH ACTIVITIES A major objective of the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Division (NAMS) is to involve undergraduate students in faculty and staff - led research so they may demonstrate their ability to contribute to the field. Research highlights of the past year include: The JC NERR/Stockton Nacote Creek Meteorological Station collects data on atmospheric conditions including: temperature and relative humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed and direction, photo synthetically active radiation and precipitation. This research is funded by The NOAA National Estuarine Research Reserve Program and is conducted by Field Station 2

Manager Steve Evert and a Stockton student intern through a $15,000 annual research contract. Interns are trained and supervised by Field Station Staff to work within the JC NERR System-Wide Monitoring Program, collecting water quality and meteorological data from sites throughout the estuary. Data is made available through the Field Station website and on the NERR website for use in regional education and research programs. The Nacote Creek Water Quality Research Program, under the direction of Program Assistant Elizabeth Zimmerman, monitors the temperature, salinity, ph, DO, tide level and turbidity of Nacote Creek every 30 minutes. Data is made available to the public via the Field Station website. This long-term data set is also used by faculty to demonstrate the effects of episodic weather events on estuarine water quality (Northeast storms, hurricanes, strong NW fronts, etc.). The Mullica River Oyster Restoration Project is funded by the FishAmerica Foundation and the NOAA Restoration Center through the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife. In 2005 Steve Evert was awarded a $5000 sub-contract to involve Stockton students in the monitoring of oyster spat settlement and finfish and motile crustacean use of the restored oyster beds. A nocost extension was awarded to allow research to continue into the 2006 season due to the late 2005 start (mid-july award). Data is being analyzed for correlations between seasonal water conditions and spat settlement as well as for spatial and temporal affects. The Marine Geochemistry Research Team conducts research to determine sediment water fluxes of nutrients at selected sites within the Mullica River Great Bay estuary, under the direction of Marine Science Professor Gordan Grguric. These fluxes support algal biomass and may contribute to eutrophication in the water column. MARS and CHEM students are involved in the associated field work, laboratory data analysis and results presentation. The Winter Flounder and Bluefish Genetics Research Program run by Dr. Pete Straub continued to receive Field Station support in collecting field samples and providing lab space for analysis. Equipment to conduct this research has been funded by two NSF Major Research Instrumentation grants ($104,186 and $61,874). A set of molecular biology equipment has been added to the Field Station to support the lab work. 3

The New Jersey Seal Study Team has been studying wintering seals in Southern New Jersey waters since 1994, under the direction of Marine Science Professor Carol Slocum and Field Station Manager Steve Evert. Data is recorded on population, individual sizes, and behavior. Seal scat is collected and processed for bony fish remains to assess the colony s impact on local fisheries. In 2005 Dr. Slocum and co-authors Steve Evert, Amy Ferland, and former student Nicole Furina presented a poster entitled What do Harbor Seals Eat in New Jersey? A First Report from the Mid-Atlantic Region, USA at the 26 th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, San Diego CA Dec 12-16, 2005. Atlantic White Cedar (AWC) Research along Southern New Jersey s rivers began last year under the direction of Drs. George Zimmerman and Kathy Sedia. Involving ENVL students, this research is examining the salt-tolerance of this globally rare species to predict white cedar habitat along the coast (in response to sea level rise). A paper on this research was presented at the AWC Conference held in Atlantic City in June 2006. Horseshoe Crab Ecology is being studied by Dr. Dan Hernandez and his BIOL students in the aquaculture laboratory at the Field Station. During the 2006 spring semester young crabs were maintained in seawater tanks and video-taped during feeding times to assess their preference for select prey. Research in the area of horseshoe crab feeding ecology is almost non-existent, providing an excellent opportunity for Dr. Hernandez and his students. Freshwater Chemistry Research at select sites in southern New Jersey is being conducted by Dr. Tait Chirenje and his ENVL students. Monitoring equipment and technical support is provided by the Field Station. Projects include Hammonton Lake Characterization (NJDEP funded), Vernal pool monitoring (RPD project), and water quality characterization on the Egg Harbor River (NJDEP funded). PARTNERSHIPS, RESEARCH CONTRACTS AND GRANTS The Field Station continues to form beneficial partnerships with regional agencies and institution s through cooperative agreements, research contracts and grants. In 2005-2006 NAMS faculty and staff working out of the Field Station continued or developed agreements with numerous agencies and institutions, including: 4

The Coastal Research Center (CRC), directed by MARS Professor Stewart Farrell, has been housed at the Marine Field Station after moving from the main campus in 1993. The Field Station and its staff support CRC activities by providing research and office space and use of sampling equipment and the Research Vessel fleet. The CRC operates under research contracts and grants from the NJDEP, the NJDOT and several coastal municipalities to provide consulting services on coastal issues such as storm protection, permitting issues and poststorm assessments. The 20-year history of the Coastal Research Center emanated from the damages caused by Hurricane Gloria in 1985. State officials were unable to quantitatively assess beach erosion because prior surveys of beach conditions did not exist. Today, the Center is a key resource on coastal issues facing the State of New Jersey. The Center has received funding for additional positions and is working with the College s Office of Facilities Planning and Construction to investigate ways of expanding office space. This new funding was awarded by the US Congress to determine the NJ coastal dune vulnerability to storm breaching. The Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve (JC NERR) is a partnership between southern New Jersey s most established marine and environmental organizations to provide stewardship and community services to the Mullica River area. Steve Evert, Field Station Manager, represents the College on the Educational and Research Sub-Committees and continues to receive $15,000 annually to fund Stockton students to participate in their System-wide Monitoring Programs (see Faculty and staff research). The NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife works closely with the Field Station and NAMS to offer internships, summer positions and year-round hourly positions to our students. The Bureau of Marine Fisheries and the Bureau of Shellfisheries each have a strong record of hiring Stockton students that have advanced through the academic and research programs at the Field Station. Several students are also involved in the Mullica River Oyster Restoration Project through a subcontract award with the Shellfisheries Division. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) continues to rely on Stockton s harbor seal research to indicate the relative health of each year s wintering population. Dr. Slocum s research team reports to the MMSC the amount, relative sizes and general condition of animals wintering in our area. Releases of rehabilitated animals are often scheduled based on the team s current population and behavior data. 5

The Mordecai Island Land Trust (MLT) continues to utilize Field Station faculty and staff input regarding their restoration efforts on this salt marsh island. Steve Evert is an appointed Trustee of the MLT Board and is actively involved in their efforts. A Barnegat Bay Environmental Grant has been awarded to the MLT with Stockton as an educational partner for a September 2006 educational event involving the Southern Regional Middle School. The Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) continues an internship program where junior to senior level students may spend a semester working on a faculty sponsored research project at the Field Station. This agreement provides up to four MAST students this opportunity each year. In return, Stockton s science programs have available to them up to four full day trips per year aboard the MAST 65 R/V Blue Sea. The partnership extends our teaching and research abilities to northern waters (Sandy Hook) and helps to draw exceptional students to our program. OUTREACH PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE The Field Station has become the primary center for the outreach activities conducted by NAMS in the area of marine and environmental science public education. Under the direction of Steve Evert, associated staff, faculty and students attend several venues each year to provide marine and environmental science education to their visitors. At each of these events staff and faculty also promote the College s science programs, specifically the marine, environmental studies and biology programs. In 2005-2006 these events reached well over 10,000 visitors and helped to fulfill the College s role as a community service leader in the area of marine and environmental education. The New Jersey Fresh Seafood Festival was held on June 10 th and 11 th at Gardiner s Basin in Atlantic City. For many years the Field Station has had a very beneficial relationship with the NJ Fresh Seafood Festival (NJFSF). Each year up to 25,000 people visit the weekend long event and find Stockton College as the primary educational exhibitor, focusing on our marine science programs. The 2006 NJFSF was a tremendous success. The Field Station sets up live displays of New Jersey's local fauna in an effort to educate the public on the tremendous diversity and natural resources of coastal New Jersey. Literature is made available, including educational and Field Station brochures, Stockton web site information, and general Stockton College literature. The NJFSF Board has donated unrestricted funds to the Field Station and awarded $15,000 of MARS scholarships (1998-present). 6

The NJ Marine Science Consortium Events, Ocean Fun Days in May and Coast Days in October, have become two of the State s premier showcases for marine and environmental awareness and public education. The Field Station attends each of these events, providing touch tanks for young visitors, information on our academic and research programs and relevant literature for visitors. Stockton staff and faculty, with the help of the marine science club and other students, set-up and support the displays. The NAMS-sponsored Jersey Shore Science Fair attracts prospective students from all over central and southern New Jersey. The College Admissions Department and the Marine Science and Environmental Field Station set up promotional tables that can be viewed by the participants, as well as by their teachers and parents. The 2006 Jersey Shore Science Fair was a great success with over 500 students participating from around New Jersey. TOURS AND VISITING GROUPS Each year the Marine Science and Environmental Field Station hosts a variety of visitors, from special academic programs such as the Governor s School on the Environment to middle school and high school classes interested in our science programs or contracting our educational services for a day of field work. During the 2005-2006 AY several groups visited. The Governor's School on the Environment visited the Field Station during the month of July 2006. Each class participated in a one half day field trip, followed by laboratory work in the Teaching and Research Lab. Students were introduced to the Mullica River-Great Bay estuary, basic marine science education, and were given an overview of Stockton s programs and career paths in marine-related sciences. The Collingswood Middle School Honors Biology class has been visiting the Field Station in May of each year since 1995. Under the direction of Steve Evert, the class receives an introduction to the Mullica River-Great Bay estuary and its importance to the region. This group samples various habitats in the estuary, collecting species occurrence and physical data at each site. As a follow up to the field work, students identify organisms and analyze physical data in the teaching lab and present their findings to the class. The Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science, a full-time high school division of the Ocean County Vocational Technical School, has been conducting yearly tours of the Field Station. 7

This group has opened a new learning center at Southern Regional High School in Manahawkin and the Field Station will explore additional collaborations in the future. Members of The Atlantic Audubon Society visit the Field Station to receive guided ecotours. Led by manager Steve Evert, ecotours are conducted on the R/V Osprey four times per year during major coastal bird migrations. The tours include a presentation highlighting the research and educational activities of Stockton s science programs. Atlantic White Cedar (AWC) Conference attendees visited the Field Station as part of their field trip offerings package in June 2006. Steve Evert lectured on current research activities at Stockton and the JC NERR and led the group on a boat-based trip up the Mullica River to view stands of AWC. Open House events at the Field Station are hosted in conjunction with the College s Admissions Department events. Tours of the facilities are augmented by a presentation and question and answer session with an upper level science student, faculty and/or staff. Private tours are also offered and the Field Station works closely with the Admissions Department and the NAMS office when prospective students are interested in visiting. FACILITIES AND RESEARCH VESSELS The NAMS Division remains committed to the improvement and further development of the Field Station and its research vessel (R/V) fleet. Improvements over the past 10 years have focused on space efficiency and R/V maintenance. Building space has been optimized and the life expectancy of original research vessels extended. The Field Station is now in need of additional teaching and research space, office space for the Coastal Research Center and a R/V replacement. Space needs are being addressed through the Nacote Creek Rehabilitation Project. Vessel replacement is being addressed concurrently through exploration of available Government surplus (or confiscated vessels) and the College s Capital Equipment Program. Research and teaching space at the Field Station limits additional course offerings and research activities. Teaching space in Building 501 is limited to 24 students and there is no ancillary space for concurrent activities. In recent years, there has been an increasing need to host courses with greater than 24 students, to more closely integrate computer use with the 8

laboratories being offered, and to provide ancillary space so that a faculty member s research or independent studies students may work nearby, thereby satisfying safety protocols for student supervision. In 2005 the Board of Trustees approved the Nacote Creek Rehabilitation and Upgrade Project and the Office of Facilities Planning and Construction issued a RFP for the assessment and design phase of the project. Cody Eckert and Associates of Princeton, NJ was awarded the contract. Completed design schematics for the teaching space have been received and a request to assess space needs of the Coastal Research Center has been made. Phase II of the Project will be to develop working construction documents that could be used to go bid for construction in 2007 (Phase III). The NAMS Division looks forward to the continuing support of the College. The College s Research Vessel (R/V) fleet currently consists of five outboard powered vessels ranging in size from 16 up to 24. Of these five vessels, two have received extensive renovations and power upgrades, one of them during 2005-2006 AY. A third vessel from the original mid-1980 s fleet is beyond economical renovation. Vessel replacement is being addressed concurrently through exploration of available Government surplus (or confiscated vessels) and the College s Capital Equipment Program. SUMMARY Over the past academic year, the Field Station and NAMS Laboratory Staff have remained dedicated to providing Stockton students with the unique field and laboratory experiences that set our science programs apart from other s. Highlights of the year include increased Program use, additional funded student research opportunities, and the implementation of Phase I of the Nacote Creek Rehabilitation Project. In the coming year, the NAMS Division will work closely with the Office of Facilities Planning and Construction to move into Phases II and III of the project and continue assessment of additional space needs for the expanding Coastal Research Center. To be considered an institution of choice amongst State and liberal arts schools, and more specifically in the areas of coastal and environmental sciences, the College should continue to focus on the promotion and further development of one of its most unique resources, the Nacote Creek Marine Science and Environmental Field Station. 9