GROWING SEAFOOD AND SALAD ON SEDGE ISLAND: A TASTEFUL APPROACH TO NATURAL RESOURCE EDUCATION
Proposed by: Richard Mohr
Presenters: Mohr,* R. A., County Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Of Ocean County, Toms River, NJ 08755
Muscio, C., Marine Extension Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Of Ocean County, Toms River , NJ 08755
Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center stands isolated on a small island in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey. Operated by New Jersey’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, it has been a host site for environmental stewardship educational partnerships for over ten years. In 2009, Rutgers Cooperative Extension agents Rich Mohr and Cara Muscio combined the talents and experience of their two volunteer programs to (literally) bring horticulture and aquiculture education to the same table out at Sedge. In days gone by, Babe Ruth visited the lodge, hunting ducks and eating chowder. Hundreds of youth and adults each year now learn life lessons in stewardship through overnight educational programs involving direct experiences in clamming, fishing, and coastal gardening. Students learn key lessons in the interaction of people and the coastal ecosystem. While on the island they learn horticultural best management practices such as accurate, minimal watering and fertilizing techniques by helping to maintain the island garden. Fishing and clamming experiences are used to teach the importance of clean water to the health and history of the bay. The benefits of a healthy bay are harvested and served up daily at the lodge. The memorable, multi-sensory experiences help to ensure the lessons learned will stay with students for a lifetime.