The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is working in partnership with the CEC to enhance the educational efforts of the Barnegat Bay watershed region. The sampler of public education activities described here helps support the Comprehensive Plan of Action: Barnegat Bay Restoration and features activities sponsored by, or in partnership with the Department. For more information, contact: Kerry Kirk Pflugh, Manager, Constituent Relations, Office of Communications, or Tanya Oznowich, Supervisor, Environmental Education, at (609) 633-7242.
| Activity #1 |
| Topic(s): |
Water Quality/Stormwater and Nonpoint Source Pollution |
| Message(s): |
Clean water is important - WE can help monitor water quality |
| Method(s): |
Barnegat Bay volunteer water monitoring project (pilot) |
| Strategy Link(s): |
- 2. Fund Stormwater Runoff Mitigation Projects
- 7. Adopt More Rigorous Water Quality Standards
- 9. Fill in the Gaps on Research
|
| Outcome(s): |
- Increase public understanding of coastal ecology and water quality
- Increase public understanding of NPS causes and contributions
- Involve public through water monitoring training and tasks
- Increase public commitment to environment through stewardship
|
| Audience(s): |
Students, adults and families – classes, volunteers, retirees |
| Deliverable(s): |
- Multi-tiered water monitoring approach for collecting samples
- Procedures for collecting and submitting sample data
- Training program, Standard Operating Procedures for Bac-t and Optical Brightener Monitoring through this pilot project
- Feedback from volunteers and participants from pilot project
|
| Lead: |
- DEP Water Monitoring and Standards Element (Staff) and
Americorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors
|
| Partner(s): |
- DEP Fish and Wildlife/Marine Education – Sedge Island Education Center
- Marine Academy of Technology & Env. Sciences (Ocean County Vo-Tech)
- Rutgers Cooperative Extension – Ocean County
|
| Timeframe: |
Network/program being developed; April - ongoing |
| |
| Activity #2 |
| Topic(s): |
Stormwater and Nonpoint Source Pollution/Water Quality |
| Message(s): |
Clean Water – It’s Up to You, New Jersey |
| Method(s): |
Clean Water NJ PSAs on local cable and radio stations |
| Strategy Link(s): |
- 2. Fund Stormwater Runoff Mitigation Projects
- 3. Reduce Nutrient Pollution from Fertilizer
- 7. Adopt More Rigorous Water Quality Standards
|
| Outcome(s): |
- Increase public understanding of water quality and stormwater systems
- Increase public understanding of NPS causes and contributions
- Increase public commitment to clean water through behavior change
|
| Audience(s): |
- Cable: Year-round/summer residents – over ½ of Ocean County is reached
- Radio: Residents and tourists – Ocean and Monmouth Counties
|
| Deliverable(s): |
- Clean Water NJ PSA videos (#2) (modified with DEP BB website)
- PSA radio (#2 – 15 sec./#2 – 30 sec.) (developed with DEP BB website)
- Confirmation of PSA use on cable networks
- Confirmation of PSA use on local AM and FM radio stations
- Tracking of public reaction (i.e. website hits)
|
| Lead: |
- DEP Bureau of Nonpoint Source Pollution Control
- DEP Office of Communications
|
| Partner(s): |
- Ocean County College
- Radio stations (FM and AM) serving Ocean and Monmouth Counties
|
| Timeframe: |
PSAs being adopted, approved and circulated; May - Ongoing |
| |
| Activity #3 |
| Topic(s): |
Water Quality/Stormwater and Nonpoint Source Pollution |
| Message(s): |
Clean water is important - WE can help monitor water quality |
| Method(s): |
Barnegat Bay shellfish education and stewardship programs |
| Strategy Link(s): |
- 2. Fund Stormwater Runoff Mitigation Projects
- 7. Adopt More Rigorous Water Quality Standards
|
| Outcome(s): |
- Increase public understanding of water quality and chemistry
- Increase public understanding of marine biology and shellfish
- Increase public understanding of NPS causes and contributions
- Increase public commitment to environment through stewardship
|
| Audience(s): |
- Students, adults and families – classes, volunteers, retirees
|
| Deliverable(s): |
- Demonstration sites and classroom lab activities
- Enrichment programs and information
- Feedback from volunteers and participants
|
| Lead: |
- Rutgers Cooperative Extension – Ocean County
|
| Partner(s): |
- ReClam the Bay
- DEP Fish and Wildlife/Marine Education – Sedge Island Education Center
- DEP Water Monitoring and Standards Element
|
| Timeframe: |
Ongoing program |
| |
|
| Activity #4 |
| Topic(s): |
Fertilizer Use/Stormwater/Water Quality |
| Message(s): |
Healthy Lawns & Clean Water – You Can Make a Difference |
| Method(s): |
Electronic info., public presentations, meetings and information distribution |
| Strategy Link(s): |
- 2. Fund Stormwater Runoff Mitigation Projects
- 3. Reduce Nutrient Pollution from Fertilizer
- 7. Adopt More Rigorous Water Quality Standards
|
| Outcome(s): |
- Increase public understanding of water quality and stormwater systems
- Increase public understanding of impacts of fertilizer/NPS contributions
- Increase public commitment to environment through behavior change
|
| Audience(s): |
- Homeowners/residential developments (residents & lawn care companies)
|
| Deliverable(s): |
- Ongoing meetings w/NJ Healthy Lawns Campaign Partners
- Updating of DEP Healthy Lawns Campaign website for use as “hub” for e-info.
- Reproduction of Healthy Lawns handout – Partnership
- Operation of toll-free help line for gardening/lawn care – OC Master Gardeners
- Presentations or info. distribution at public libraries for homeowners
- Presentations or info. distribution at development associations
- Outreach to lawn companies and developments (Rutgers Coop. Extension)
|
| Lead: |
- DEP Office of Communications/NJ Healthy Lawns Campaign
|
| Partner(s): |
- DEP Office of Policy Implementation & Watershed Restoration
- DEP Water Monitoring and Standards Element – Americorps
- New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors
- DEP Bureau of Nonpoint Source Pollution Control
- Rutgers Cooperative Extension – Ocean County
- Ocean County Soil Conservation District
- Barnegat Bay Partnership
|
| Timeframe: |
DEP materials to be reprinted; May – September |
| |
|
| Activity #5 |
| Topic(s): |
Environmentally-friendly Boating Practices |
| Message(s): |
Protect sensitive habitats and use pump-out stations |
| Method(s): |
Press events, signage, programs and information distribution |
| Strategy Link(s): |
- 2. Fund Stormwater Runoff Mitigation Projects
- 3. Reduce Nutrient Pollution from Fertilizer
- 10. Reduce Water Craft Impacts
|
| Outcome(s): |
- Increase boater understanding of coastal water quality and marine habitat
- Increase understanding of impacts of bacterial waste and NPS
- Increase understanding of disturbances to habitat from poor boating practices
- Increase boater awareness of NJ Clean Marina Program (green marina practices)
|
| Audience(s): |
- Registered boaters & fishermen – year-round/summer residents and day-use
|
| Deliverable(s): |
- Press event (Memorial Day weekend) – boater registration and safety (MVC)
- Press event (July) – green boating practices and Clean Marina Program (DEP)
- Promotion of NJ Pump-out Guide and Barnegat Bay’s Boater’s Guide
- Distribution of these through presentations at marinas and fishing clubs
- DEP boater links added to MVC boater registration website
|
| Lead: |
- DEP Fish and Wildlife/Marine Education and Coastal Fisheries
|
| Partner(s): |
- DEP Office of Coastal Management – Clean Marina Program
- NJ Clean Vessel Act Steering Committee
- DEP Office of Communications
- NJ Motor Vehicles Commission
- NJ State Police – Marine Division
- Barnegat Bay Partnership
|
| Timeframe: |
May – July; ongoing |
| |
|
| Activity #6 |
| Topic(s): |
Stormwater and Nonpoint Source Pollution/Soil Restoration |
| Message(s): |
You can improve soils and protect water with plantings & rain gardens |
| Method(s): |
Rain garden and basin demonstration sites, advice hotline and programs |
| Strategy Link(s): |
- 2. Fund Stormwater Runoff Mitigation Projects
- 3. Reduce Nutrient Pollution from Fertilizer
- 4. Require Post-Construction Soil Restoration
|
| Outcome(s): |
- Increase public understanding of water quality and stormwater systems
- Increase understanding of soil maintenance, nutrients & green gardening
- Increase understanding of plant species, biology and invasive plants
|
| Audience(s): |
- Homeowners - year-round/summer residents
|
| Deliverable(s): |
- Operation of toll-free help line for gardening/lawn care – OC Master Gardeners
- Revision (and distribution of) the Low Maintenance Landscaping for the Barnegat Bay Watershed booklet, by members of the BBP’s CEC
- Distribution of DEP fertilizer and NPS public information to callers
- Enrichment programs for low maintenance planting and rain gardens
- Demonstration rain garden sites and their use in programs & tours
- Interpretive signage for plantings in stormwater basins
|
| Lead: |
- Ocean County Soil Conservation District
|
| Partner(s): |
- Rutgers Cooperative Extension – Ocean County
- Barnegat Bay Partnership
- American Littoral Society
- Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve
- DEP Forest Resource Education Center – NJ State Forestry
- DEP Water Monitoring and Standards Element – Americorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors (through Partnership Projects)
|
| Timeframe: |
Ongoing program |
| |
|
| Activity #7 |
| Topic(s): |
Stormwater and Nonpoint Source Pollution |
| Message(s): |
Clean Water – It’s Up to You, New Jersey |
| Method(s): |
Distribution of DEP NPS publications to residents and summer renters |
| Strategy Link(s): |
- 2. Fund Stormwater Runoff Mitigation Projects
- 3. Reduce Nutrient Pollution from Fertilizer
|
| Outcome(s): |
- Increase public understanding of water quality and stormwater systems
- Increase public understanding of NPS causes and contributions
- Increase public commitment to clean water through behavior change
|
| Audience(s): |
- Residents – summer and year-round; week and weekend visitors
|
| Deliverable(s): |
- Finalize NPS publication for local distribution and inclusion in publications
- Ensure that publication can earn outreach points for stormwater permits
- DEP NPS brochure given to residents and renters – realtor mailings (tent.)
- DEP NPS brochure given to residents as part of municipal calendar/newsletter
- DEP NPS article for residents as part of local newsletter (local chambers) (tent.)
- DEP NPS/Clean Water Rainger materials given to families – library programs
|
| Lead: |
- DEP Office of Policy Implementation & Watershed Restoration
|
| Partner(s): |
- DEP Office of Communications
- DEP Water Monitoring and Standards Element (Americorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors)
- Barnegat Bay Partnership
- Ocean County Board of Realtors (tent.)
- Monmouth County Association of Realtors (tent.)
|
| Timeframe: |
DEP materials to be revised/printed; June – Ongoing |
| |
|
| Activity #8 |
| Topic(s): |
Protection of Barnegat Bay Ecology and Marine Habitat |
| Message(s): |
Clean Water – It’s Up to You, New Jersey |
| Method(s): |
Naturalist-led public programs at Island Beach State Park |
| Strategy Link(s): |
- 2. Fund Stormwater Runoff Mitigation Projects
- 3. Reduce Nutrient Pollution from Fertilizer
- 10. Reduce Water Craft Impacts
|
| Outcome(s): |
- Increase public understanding of coastal water quality and marine habitat
- Increase understanding of impacts of NPS and habitat disturbance
- Increase public commitment to coastal protection through behavior change
|
| Audience(s): |
- Residents – summer and year-round; week and weekend visitors
|
| Deliverable(s): |
- Interpretive programs about Barnegat Bay ecology and habitat
- Public programs about stewardship, NPS and water quality
- DEP NPS brochure available to program attendees
- DEP Clean Water Raingers materials available to program attendees
|
| Lead: |
- Conserve Wildlife Foundation
- DEP Parks and Forestry – Island Beach State Park
|
| Partner(s): |
- DEP Fish and Wildlife/Marine Education – Sedge Island Education Center
- DEP Office of Policy Implementation & Watershed Restoration
- Barnegat Bay Partnership
|
| Timeframe: |
Position/programs being developed; June - Ongoing |
| |
|
| Activity #9 |
| Topic(s): |
Stormwater and Nonpoint Source Pollution/Water Quality |
| Message(s): |
EBB (Education about Barnegat Bay) AND FLOW... Resource Directory |
| Method(s): |
Online directory of DEP public education resources (that target the bay) |
| Strategy Link(s): |
- 2. Fund Stormwater Runoff Mitigation Projects
- 3. Reduce Nutrient Pollution from Fertilizer
- 7. Adopt More Rigorous Water Quality Standards
|
| Outcome(s): |
- Increase public understanding of coastal water quality and marine habitat
- Increase understanding of stormwater systems and impacts of NPS
- Increase participation in DEP programs that explore Barnegat Bay
- Increase attendance at DEP facilities that explore Barnegat Bay
|
| Audience(s): |
- Formal and non-formal educators, parents, students and general public
|
| Deliverable(s): |
- EBB (Education about Barnegat Bay) AND FLOW... DEP resource directory
- DEP’s E-listing and information about resources for bay education
- Will be a feature/button added to DEP’s Barnegat Bay homepage
- Will promote directory through external partners’site links
- Will provide links to educational resources outside DEP
- Will track use through visitation and collect feedback from site visitors
- Will feed incoming “good news” items and announcements to Press Office
|
| Lead: |
- DEP Office of Communications
|
| Partner(s): |
- DEP Barnegat Bay Public Education Team
- Barnegat Bay Partnership – CEC members and local EE providers
|
| Timeframe: |
Website/contents under construction; May - ongoing |
| |
|
| Activity #10 |
| Topic(s): |
Stormwater and Nonpoint Source Pollution/Water Quality |
| Message(s): |
Water quality, water supply and stormwater messages (combined) |
| Method(s): |
DEP exhibit, workshops, speakers and info at select public programs in Bay |
| Strategy Link(s): |
- 2. Fund Stormwater Runoff Mitigation Projects
- 3. Reduce Nutrient Pollution from Fertilizer
- 7. Adopt More Rigorous Water Quality Standards
|
| Outcome(s): |
- Increase public understanding of water quality, stormwater and water quality
- Increase public understanding of NPS causes and contributions
- Increase public commitment to clean water through behavior change
|
| Audience(s): |
- General public – adults/professionals, students, organizations, families
|
| Deliverable(s): |
- DEP (new) exhibit to focus on comprehensive approach to water education
- Schedule of Barnegat Bay events that DEP exhibit will participate in
|
| Lead: |
- DEP Water Supply
- DEP Nonpoint Source Pollution Control
|
| Partner(s): |
- DEP Office of Policy Implementation & Watershed Restoration
- DEP Barnegat Bay Public Education Team
|
| Timeframe: |
Exhibit/handouts being developed; May - ongoing |
| Event(s) include: |
- Barnegat Bay Environmental Educators Roundtable – April 27
Ocean County Soil Conservation District/Steering Committee
- Teach at the Beach – May 13
New Jersey Marine Education Association
- Ocean Fun Days – May 21
Island Beach State Park
- Barnegat Bay Festival – June 4 - 5
Barnegat Bay Partnership
|
| |
|
| Activity #11 |
| Topic(s): |
Stormwater and Nonpoint Source Pollution/Water Quality |
| Message(s): |
Investigate, research, experience and protect Barnegat Bay |
| Method(s): |
Integration of Bay educational resources into Ocean County schools |
| Strategy Link(s): |
- 2. Fund Stormwater Runoff Mitigation Projects
- 3. Reduce Nutrient Pollution from Fertilizer
- 7. Adopt More Rigorous Water Quality Standards
|
| Outcome(s): |
- Increase public understanding of coastal water quality and marine habitat
- Increase understanding of stormwater systems and impacts of NPS
- Increase involvement with coastal protection/use through behavior change
|
| Audience(s): |
- Students, pre-K through 12; After-school and vocational school programs
|
| Deliverable(s): |
- 1st meeting with Ocean County/school curriculum specialist – March 2
- Presented NJ/DEP EE curriculum resource materials to schools – March 2
- Workshop with K – 5, 6 – 8, and 9 – 12 task force members – March 30
- Enrichment opportunities to be offered to teachers for bay resources (2011)
|
| Lead: |
- Barnegat Bay Partnership
- Ocean County Soil Conservation District
|
| Partner(s): |
- DEP Office of Watershed Restoration – Project WET/Clean Water Raingers
- DEP Parks and Forestry – Project Learning Tree/Green Schools/FREC
- DEP Fish and Wildlife/Marine Education – Project WILD and Aquatic Project WILD/WILD School Sites/Shellfish Education/Trout in Classroom
- DEP Water Monitoring and Standards Element – Americorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors
- Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve
- Rutgers Cooperative Extension – Ocean County
- New Jersey Audubon Society
- Marine Academy of Technology & Env. Sciences (Ocean County Vo-Tech)
- Ocean County Parks System
- Ocean County Public Schools
|
| Timeframe: |
Involvement is being coordinated; March – December |
| |
|
| Activity #12 |
| Topic(s): |
Stormwater and Nonpoint Source Pollution/Water Quality |
| Message(s): |
Become a Barnegat Bay Watershed Volunteer Master Naturalist |
| Method(s): |
Classroom instruction, field studies, volunteer service projects, training |
| Strategy Link(s): |
- 2. Fund Stormwater Runoff Mitigation Projects
- 3. Reduce Nutrient Pollution from Fertilizer
|
| Outcome(s): |
- Increase public understanding of coastal water quality and marine habitat
- Increase understanding of stormwater systems and impacts of NPS
- Increase involvement with coastal protection through stewardship
|
| Audience(s): |
- Professionals, teachers, graduate students, retirees and other adults
|
| Deliverable(s): |
- 6 classroom sessions
- 4 field study sessions
- 40 hours of volunteer environmental service (per student)
- 8 hours of continuing education (per student) per year
- 40 hours of continued volunteer environmental service (per student)
- List of students and alumni master naturalists and their feedback
|
| Lead: |
- Ocean County College – Continuing Education Program
|
| Partner(s): |
- Barnegat Bay Partnership
- DEP Fish and Wildlife/Marine Education – Sedge Island Education Center
|
| Timeframe: |
April – May; yearly (New Offering/Course) |
| |
|
| Activity #13 |
| Topic(s): |
Stormwater and Nonpoint Source Pollution/Water Quality |
| Message(s): |
“Good News” items regarding Barnegat Bay public education activities |
| Method(s): |
Press releases and/or website promotions |
| Strategy Link(s): |
- 2. Fund Stormwater Runoff Mitigation Projects
- 3. Reduce Nutrient Pollution from Fertilizer
- 7. Adopt More Rigorous Water Quality Standards
|
| Outcome(s): |
- Increase public understanding of coastal water quality and marine habitat
- Increase understanding of stormwater systems and impacts of NPS
- Increase involvement with coastal protection/use through behavior change
|
| Audience(s): |
|
| Deliverable(s): |
- Press articles and press releases
- General articles for select newsletters and publications
- DEP homepage and/or DEP Barnegat Bay website features
- Announcements and links at DEP’s EBB and FLOW directory
|
| Lead: |
|
| Partner(s): |
- Barnegat Bay Partnership – CEC Members
- DEP Barnegat Bay Public Education Team
|
| Timeframe: |
Ongoing program |
| |
|
