The Wetlands Institute Receives Grant for Wetland Health Monitoring Program

The Wetlands Institute, located in Stone Harbor, is pleased to announce that it has received funding to support its Coastal Sustainability and Wetland Health Program. The Coastal Sustainability and Wetland Health Program is one of the Institute’s most crucial programs that is allowing Institute scientists to monitor and understand impacts to area marshes, and help guide decision making related to such issues as coastal sustainability, beneficial reuse of dredge materials and wetland restoration. Launched in 2015 with support from the Davenport Family Foundation, the wetland monitoring program has grown in impact and importance over the past two years. A new 3-year commitment for funding from the Leff Family Foundation will allow Institute scientists to conduct detailed and intensive monitoring of marsh usage by birds, diamondback terrapins and other wildlife.
“Sea level rise has resulted in increased flooding of area marshes. Understanding the effects of increased flooding on the marsh and on sensitive species that make their homes in the marsh is a major focus of the Institute,” said Institute Executive Director Dr. Lenore Tedesco. “Intensive marsh monitoring is helping Institute scientists understand the changes that are occurring, and allowing us to contribute to ongoing discussions about coastal sustainability and resilience in our coastal communities.” The $75,000 grant will be used to support marsh monitoring staff, equipment and supplies. Funding is also being directed to the Diamondback Terrapin Conservation Program to support undergraduate student interns and their work understanding terrapin usage of the marsh. Funds have also been directed to The Wetland Institute’s Terrapins in the Classroom Program. This program provides curricula, training and supplies for participating New Jersey teachers to raise orphaned terrapins in their classrooms prior to returning them to the Institute for release back into area marshes. 
“We are happy to support the Wetlands Institute in these important initiatives and educational efforts,” said Todd Leff on behalf of the Leff Family Foundation. “The work of the Wetlands Institute is critical to help frame the discussion about the impact of climate change on coastal sustainability and the beneficial reuse of dredge material by analyzing on the ground – real time data,” added Leff.
The Leff Family Foundation is a charitable organization with the stated purpose of supporting programs that primarily focus on benefiting children and families in need. The Foundation believes that promoting education, tolerance and active, healthy lifestyles are necessary for the development of children, our greatest national resource.
The Wetlands Institute is a 501c3 organization founded in 1969, with a mission to promote appreciation, understanding and stewardship of marshes and coastal ecosystems.  It fulfills its mission through programs in research, conservation and education.  The Wetlands Institute was founded in 1969, has 1,300 members, more than 17,000 visitors and reaches more than 12,000 school children in formal education programs, annually.