October 20, 2025: Mrs. Keara Gianotti, naturalist and executive-director of Camp Creek Run led Honors & Advanced Ecology students on a Fungi collection & ID walk in the Pinelands BOGS. 13 species in about 20 minutes along the South Path of Bog 1!  It was a good fungi foray!

October 1 & 8, 2025: Becky Laboy & Dylan Neumann of the Ocean County Soil District  led a soil discovery activity where we located the three types of soils on Pinelands campus using a soil map and SoilWeb app.  Students collected samples of Downer, Hammonton, and Manahawkin series soils and performed sieve tests, jar tests, pH, and NPK analysis of each soil to get a better understanding of soil composition and characteristics.  

June 9, 2025: Mrs. Lisa Auermuller, the Administrative Director of Rutgers University Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences joined us to discuss her experiences in pursuing her marine science degrees, her 20 years studying storm water and sea level rise at the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, an her role in communicating and making science available to all stakeholders as we work toward coastal resilience.  She helped develop tools for policy makers and the My Coast App to encourage community science and data collection!

For more information check: Megalopolitan Coastal Transformation Hub (MACH) 

May 27, 2025: Stockton University Forestry Professor Dr. Matthew Olson visited Barrens To Bay classes to discuss the ecological benefits of Atlantic White Cedar trees. Dr. Olson  then helped students plant 70 cedar saplings in BOG 2 from the NJ Forest Resource Center Nursery as part of the first steps in the restoration of the Pinelands BOGS!

May 17, 2025: Junior Kylie Ballin represented Pinelands at the 2025 Jersey Shore Youth Climate Summit at the JCNERR.  Students from around Monmouth & Ocean counties participated in a panel discussion with local scientists and explore the JCNERR’s Grassle Marsh path while focusing on the impacts of climate change along the NJ coast.  Local scientists included Dr. John Wnek (MATES & Project Terrapin), Dr. Doug Zemeckis (Rutgers Cooperative Extension), and Angela Andersen (Long Beach Township Marine Field Station)

May 16, 2025: Kathryn Krueger, a biologist from the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge join us to discuss the various types of wetland habitat, the benefits of wetlands, and some of the refuge’s population studies & habitat preservation efforts.

May 15, 2025:  Dr. Doug Zemeckis from Rutgers University joined us to discuss degrees in science, volunteer & internship opportunities, the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, and Barnegat Bay Stewardship & Fisheries

On May 1 & 2, 2025: AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassadors Caroline McFarland, Forrest Jennings, Cameron Shapiro, & Courtney Lacombe helped Honors Ecology, Environmental Science, and Marine Science students complete a Spring Benthic Macroinvertebrates sample study in the Pinelands Bogs.

April 29, 2025: Deb & John Meiman, ReClam The Bay Educational Outreach Committee members gave Environmental Science, Marine Science, and Honors Ecology classes an overview of shellfish biology.  They reviewed the anatomy of shellfish, compared clam & oyster habitats, identified shellfish predators, and described the ecological services that bivalves provide.  Mr. & Mrs. Meiman also described various projects including upwellers, living shorelines, and local shell recycling programs.

February 28, 2025: Katie (Jaeckel) Hemmerlin (Class of 2011) Katie spoke to Environmental Science & Honors Ecology classes about NJ Geology, her experiences as a undergraduate and graduate geology student, and how her education helped with her careers as an environmental consultant, adjunct professor, & the Mine Safety and Health Administration 

February 24, 2025:  Rutgers University distinguished professor and New Jersey State Climatologist Dr. David Robinson met with students via Zoom to discuss the evidence and impacts of Climate Change in New Jersey and answer student questions. 

February 21, 2025:  Pinelands Alumnus Andy Tonnesen ('13), the Section B4 Firewarden of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service spent time in our classes to discuss fire suppression, location, and investigation as well as the ecology of fires.  Andy provided a timeline and shared his experiences leading.  He also discussed his education and experiences fighting fires in other parts of the United States. 

February 20, 2025:  Historian Andrew Anderson from Double Trouble County Park discussed the history of cranberry farming in Ocean County, NJ.  He also described how the lumber and cranberry industry utilized the area that is now Double Trouble Historic Site. 

February 13, 2025:  Dr. Mike Acquafredda from Rutgers University met with Honors/Advanced Ecology, Marine Science, Environmental Science, and JAG New Jersey students to discuss the history of aquaculture, the economic value of seafood, and NJ aquaculture & seafood production.  After the discussion he described the Apprenticeship in Shellfish Aquaculture Program (ASAP) where students can apply for summer training and employment at local aquaculture facilities.  The grant supporting the ASAP program is sponsored by the NJ Sea Grant Consortium and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

February 11, 2025:  Alumnus Joel Mott (Class of 1990) of the N.J. Pinelands Commission leads a discussion about John McPhee’s book “The Pine Barrens” with Honors Ecology classes after they finished reading it this week.  Mr. Mott expanded on some of the themes of the book tying together the science, history, and culture of the N.J. Pine Barrens.  He also developed a Pine Barrens Flora & Fauna presentation for CP Environmental Science classes!

On January 15, 2025:  Pinelands Alumnus Amy Dillinger ('23) discusses her experiences as a Wildlife & Conservation Biology Major at the University of Rhode Island.  She also shared stories, experiences, and advice about her paid internship at the Edwin B. Forsythe Wildlife Refuge and various peer research projects at URI.  

On December 16, 2024: NJDEP Conservation Law Enforcement Officer Nicole Carman visited to discuss the role of conservartion officers, the ways they protect wildlife & habitats in NJ, and the requirements to be hired. 

On December 10, 2024: AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador Forrest Jennings returned to discuss the connection between Trees and Water Quality.  After discovering a large Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida), Forrest showed students how to measure a tree's circumference, height, crown spread, and age.  Students collected data and we submitted our Pitch Pine to the be considered a NJ BIG TREE CHAMPION!  Check out the Big Tree Map!

On November 20, 2024: Pinelands Alumni and NJ Parks worker Justin Bowen ('20), and Superintendents Meghan Yovankin (‘05) of Brendan T Byrne State Forest and Chris Ford (‘10) of Wharton State Forest visited classes to discuss parks history & ecology, their roles and responsibilities,  and employment opportunities in New Jersey State Parks Service.

November 14, 2024: Lindsey Markowitz (Class of 2016) shared her journey as a Ph.D candidate and a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow with a joint appointment at the University of Maryland and the USDA- Agricultural Research Service Bee Research Lab. Lindsey summarized her doctoral research about the ecology of honeybees with Environmental Science, Honors & CP BIology, and Honors/Advanced Ecology students. She described honeybee social behaviors, their roles in ecosystems, and the relationships between bees, bacteria, and parasites.

November 13, 2024:  Advanced Steamworks Robotics students Alexis Broderson & Xavier Clayton built and installed a weather station for the Pinealnds BOGS!  The stations wil collect temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed & direction, and rain fall.

On November 13, 2024: AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassadors Caroline McFarland, Forrest Jennings, Cameron Shapiro, & Courtney Lacombe helped Honors Ecology & Environmental Science students complete a Benthic Macroinvertebrates sample study in the Pinelands Bogs.

On November 12, 2024: AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassadors Caroline McFarland, Forrest Jennings, Cameron Shapiro, & Courtney Lacombe guided Honors Ecology & Environmental Science students in finding and identifying Benthic Macroinvertebrates from a sample taken from our Gifford Mill Branch west of the Berm Bridge path.

On November 11, 2024: AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassadors Caroline McFarland, Forrest Jennings, Cameron Shapiro, & Courtney Lacombe and Bailey Sanders (Barnegat Bay Partnership) gave Honors Ecology & Environmental Science students an overview of Benthic Macroinvertebrates Bioindicator Species and their relationship to the health of an ecosystem.  Students then had an opportunity to identify preserved specimen using taxonomic keys.

October 18, 2024:  Dr. Richard Lathrop, a professor at Rutgers University and director of the Center for Remote Sensing & Spatial Analysis (CRSSA), joined us via ZOOM to discuss hydrologic flow paths through watersheds, the collection of data at USGS Gaging Stations and its uses, land use impacts on Barnegat Bay, and grant projects in the Pinelands Bogs and Stafford Township. 

October 10 & 17, 2024: Becky Laboy of the Ocean County Soil District  led a soil discovery activity where we located the three types of soils on Pinelands campus using a soil map and SoilWeb app.  Students collected samples of Downer, Hammonton, and Manahawkin series soils and performed sieve tests, jar tests, pH, and NPK analysis of each soil to get a better understanding of soil composition and characteristics.  

May 21, 2024: Jackie Toth-Sullivan from the Stockton Marine Field Station and Roland Hagan from the Rutgers Marine Field Station joined us to share their marine mammal research. Dr. Sullivan described how she identifies local Harbor Seal diets based on otoliths (fish ear bones), and DNA from their scat and gave students a chance to compare various fish otoliths! 

May 17, 2024: Virginia Kopkash from New Jersey Fish & Wildlife came in to describe the diversity of wetlands and the impacts of climate change on wetlands. She outlined a plan for the Abbotts Meadow Marsh restoration, a current wetland restoration project as well as  available careers within the organization for all interests and majors! She also discussed two local projects--the Barnegat Light Bird Sanctuary and Horseshoe Island!

May 16, 2024: Danielle Bara of New Jersey Audubon joined us to discuss various monitoring and restoration projects including:

• Swamp Pink Protection & Monitoring

• Bog Turtle Monitoring & Habitat Restoration

• Pine & Corn Snake Monitoring & Habitat Restoration

• Hovanian Sanctuary & Atlantic White Cedar Restoration in Berkeley Township   

May 2, 2024: Mrs. Lisa Auermuller, the Administrative Director of Rutgers University Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences joined us to discuss her experiences in pursuing her marine science degrees, her 20 years studying storm water and sea level rise at the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, an her role in communicating and making science available to all stakeholders as we work toward coastal resilience.  She helped develop tools for policy makers and the My Coast App to encourage community science and data collection!

For more information check: Megalopolitan Coastal Transformation Hub (MACH) 

May 1, 2024: Kaitlin Gannon an Outreach/Education Specialist at the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, joined us to discuss the National Estuarine Research Reserve program and her Eel Monitoring Community Science program.  The program monitors the American Eel in the Mullica watershed. 

April 29, 2024:  Advanced Steamworks Robotics students Alexis Broderson, Xavier Clayton, and Roman DeSiato designed, built, and installed a weather station that measures air temperature, wind speed & direction, humidity, soil moisture, and several other data that is remotely sent to a computer in the high school to monitor.

April 25, 2024:  Dr. Doug Zemeckis from Rutgers University joined us to discuss degrees in science, volunteer & internship opportunities, the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Barnegat Bay Stewardship, and Shellfish Ecology. 

April 22, 2024: Dr. Andrij Horodysky from the NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center joined us to describe NOAA's role in studying and managing fisheries as well as his various research projects throughout his career.  He stressed that understanding the physiology of organisms helps scientists make better informed observations of population ecology and provided many examples of his current research projects in understanding the sight and hearing of local organisms.  

Dr. Horodysky also led students in a fisheries simulation lab using goldfish to simulate fish species and M&Ms to simulate monies earned thorugh fisheries.  We did so well collecting that we earned the max amount of money, but left no fish for future years--a lesson learned!

April 11, 2024: Dr. Kenneth Able from the Rutgers Marine Field Station joined us to discuss the importance of understanding natural history in making connections in ecology and evolution.  Dr. Able described many studies over his 33 year history at RUMFS to demonstrate how understanding the characteristics of organisms can lead to deeper understanding of how these organisms interact within ecosystems.  He also stressed the "Ecology of Place" and its importance in understanding local systems.  

Dr. Able also shared how Atlentic White Cedar "Ghost Forests" demonstrate how rising sea levels have impacted local ecosystems.  The attached document provides great examples from throughout our area!

March 27, 2024:  Advanced Steamworks Robotics students Alexis Broderson, Xavier Clayton, and Roman DeSiato designed, built, and tested a robot that measures soil moisture!

March 15, 2024:  Mr. Gates' Environmental Science students found some of our Bog reptiles enjoying a warm March day--a Box Turtle, Ribbon, and Garter Snake!

February 13, 2024:  Dr. Mike Acquafredda from Rutgers University met with Honors/Advanced Ecology, Marine Science, Environmental Science, and JAG New Jersey students to discuss the history of aquaculture, the economic value of seafood, and NJ aquaculture & seafood production.  After the discussion he described the Apprenticeship in Shellfish Aquaculture Program (ASAP) where students can apply for summer training and employment at local aquaculture facilities.  The grant supporting the ASAP program is sponsored by the NJ Sea Grant Consortium and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

February 6, 2024:  Rutgers University distinguished professor and New Jersey State Climatologist Dr. David Robinson met with students via Zoom to discuss the evidence and impacts of Climate Change in New Jersey and answer student questions. 

January 26, 2024:  Alumnus Joel Mott (Class of 1990) of the N.J. Pinelands Commission leads a discussion about John McPhee’s book “The Pine Barrens” with Honors Ecology classes after they finished reading it this week.  Mr. Mott expanded on some of the themes of the book tying together the science, history, and culture of the N.J. Pine Barrens.

January 11, 2024:  Advanced Ecology students collect water samples with a plankton net for Ms. McGeehan's Honors Microbiology students to examine.

December 5, 2023:  Pinelands Alumnus Andy Tonnesen ('13), the Section B4 Firewarden of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service spent time in our classes to discuss fire suppression, location, and investigation as well as the ecology of fires.  Andy provided a timeline and shared his experiences leading.  He also discussed his education and experiences fighting fires in other parts of the United States. 

On November 22, 2023: Advanced Ecology students examined water samples from the Pinelands Bogs to explore the variety of plankton that inhabit the Gifford Mill Branch stream with some tech assistance from Mrs. McGeehan’s Microbiology class! 

On November 17, 2023: Pinelands Alumni and NJ Parks Superintendents Meghan Yovankin (‘05) of Brendan T Byrne State Forest and Chris Ford (‘10) of Wharton State Forest and Southern Region Superintendent Mr. Rob Auermuller visited Honors & Advanced Ecology classes to discuss their roles and responsibilities as well as employment opportunities in New Jersey State Parks Service.

On November 3, 2023: AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassadors Melanie Thorn, Kersten Axe, and Caroline McFarland helped students complete a Benthic Macroinvertebrates sample study in the Pinelands Bogs.

On November 2, 2023: AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassadors Melanie Thorn, Kersten Axe, and Caroline McFarland, and Bailey Sanders (Barnegat Bay Partnership) guided Honors Ecology students in finding and identifying Benthic Macroinvertebrates from a sample taken from the Westecunk Creek. 

On October 30, 2023: AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassadors Melanie Thorn, Kersten Axe, and Caroline McFarland, and Bailey Sanders (Barnegat Bay Partnership) gave students an overview of Benthic Macroinvertebrates Bioindicator Species and their relationship to the health of an ecosystem.  Students then had an opportunity to identify preserved specimen using taxonomic keys.

October 17, 2023:  Dr. Richard Lathrop, a professor at Rutgers University and director of the Center for Remote Sensing & Spatial Analysis (CRSSA), discussed hydrologic flow paths through watersheds, the collection of data at USGS Gaging Stations and its uses, land use impacts on Barnegat Bay, and grant projects in the Pinelands Bogs and Stafford Township. 

October 11, 2023: Bog 2 is filled with Ladies tresses (Spiranthes cernua) during their fall bloom!

October 3 & 10, 2023: Becky Laboy of the Ocean County Soil District  led a soil discovery activity where we located the three types of soils on Pinelands campus using a soil map and SoilWeb app.  Students collected samples of Downer, Hammonton, and Manahawkin series soils and performed sieve tests, jar tests, pH, and NPK analysis of each soil to get a better understanding of soil composition and characteristics.  Dr. Patty Duncan, retired Environmental Science teacher from Pemberton Township Schools, came in on 10/10 to help the students with the soil tests.

June 9, 2023: Retired Pinelands Science Teacher Mr. George Young stopped in to discuss vegetation identification, environmental resource inventories, and his time at Whitesbog Village, New Jersey. 

May 25, 2023: Virginia Kopkash from New Jersey Fish & Wildlife came in to describe the diversity of wetlands and the impacts of climate change on wetlands. She outlined a plan for the Abbotts Meadow Marsh restoration, a current wetland restoration project as well as  available careers within the organization for all interests and majors! 

May 23, 2023: Spring Blooms on Berm 2 and the Bog 3 Back Trail!

May 16, 2023: Students found and identified Spatulate-Leafed Sundew (Drosera intermedia)  in Bog 2!

May 15 & 16, 2023: Students used the Pocket Macros App and traditional dichotomas keys to identify and catalog Benthic Macroinvertebrate Species found in a survey of the Giffords Mill Branch stream through all 3 bogs. 

May 10 & 11, 2023: Students used the Picture This App and traditional guidebooks to identify and catalog plant species found around the Pinelands Bogs, paths, and detention basin.

April 25, 2023: Dr. Kenneth Able from the Rutgers Marine Field Station joined us to discuss the importance of understanding natural history in making connections in ecology and evolution.  Dr. Able described many studies over his 33 year history at RUMFS to demonstrate how understanding the characteristics of organisms can lead to deeper understanding of how these organisms interact within ecosystems.  He also stressed the "Ecology of Place" and its importance in understanding local systems. 

April 21, 2023:  Mr. Gates' Environmental Science CP students completed a survey of aquatic life in various places in the Giffords Mill Branch Bogs. 

April 20, 2023: Dr. Elizabeth Lacey from Stockton University Marine Ecosystem Laboratory joined us to discuss the characteristics of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in Barnegat Bay, their benefits, distribution, and her ongoing restoration projects!  

March 8, 2023: Mrs. Lisa Auermuller, the Administrative Director of Rutgers University Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences joined us to discuss her experiences in pursuing her marine science degrees, her 20 years studying storm water and sea level rise at the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, an her role in communicating and making science available to all stakeholders as we work toward coastal resilience.  For more information check: Megalopolitan Coastal Transformation Hub (MACH) 

March 3, 2023:  Dr. Doug Zemeckis from Rutgers University joined us to discuss degrees in science, volunteer & internship opportunities, the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Barnegat Bay Stewardship, and Shellfish Ecology. 

February 28, 2023:  Dr. Renee Reilly, a research scientist for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection discussed the role of the NJDEP in collecting & analyzing data to make informed decisions and protecting the environment through Offshore Wind development projects. She provided some insight as well as some informative links:

• NJDEP Offshore Wind

• Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

• Rutgers Offshore Wind Collaborative

• Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative for Offshore Wind

February 22, 2023:  Mr. Terry O'Leary, the original Environmental Science teacher at Pinelands Regional High School when it opened in 1979 discussed the characteristics and habitats of carnivorous plants of the NJ Pine Barrens.  

February 16, 2023:  Students begin reading Beneath The Surface: Understanding Nature in the Mullica Valley Estuary by Dr. Kenneth Able as a transition from our NJ Pine Barrens studies to our Great Bay & Barnegat Bay discovery.

February 15, 2023:  Dr. Richard Lathrop, a professor at Rutgers University and director of the Center for Remote Sensing & Spatial Analysis (CRSSA), discussed hydrologic flow paths through watersheds, the collection of data at USGS Gaging Stations and its uses, and land use impacts on Barnegat Bay. 

February 13, 2023:  As part of the project with NJ Friendly Yards & the Ocean County Soil District we downloaded our own soil report from the USDA! 

February 13, 2023:  One of the invasive species that is present in the detention basin is Chinese Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata).  You can find out more at invasive.org! 

February 8, 2023:  A quick walk on a sunny 59 degree afternoon in February revealed a large collection of Canada Goose in Bog 3.

January 24, 2023:  Trevor Raynor, the Section B4 Firewarden of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service spent time in our classes to discuss fire suppression, location, and investigation as well as the ecology of fires.  Trevor provided a timeline and shared his experiences leading the fighting of the LEH fire in May 2021 off of Otis Bog Road.  He also discussed his education and experiences fighting fires in other parts of the United States. 

January 13, 2023: We wrapped up our reading of John McPhee's book "The Pine Barrens" with a book discussion with Mr. Joel Mott on Friday 1/13/23.   Mr. Mott is a Pinelands Alumnus ('90) and the Educational Director of the N.J. Pinelands Commission.

Mr. Mott did a great job leading a discussion and expanding on many of McPhee’s themes with his knowledge and experience! We learned a bit more of LEH's Revolutionary War history, Wharton's impact on the area, the impacts of the proposed jetport in the 1960's, and the profound impact of McPhee's book in connecting the people, culture, and science of this unique area.

UPDATE!!!!!

A Bog Phenomenon--What is it?

We've received an update from the American Chestnut Society!

December 5, 2022: A frosty, peaceful exploration of Bogs 1 & 2 while students searched for evidence of secondary succession in the Giffords Mill Stream Bogs. 

November 21, 2022: Mr. Roland Hagan from the Rutgers Marine Field Station visited to discuss the history of RUMFS as well as discuss some of their projects including life history of fishes, recruitment of estuarine fishes, fisheries/population dynamics of economically important species, and saltmarsh food webs!  Students had the opportunity to examine larval samples and ask questions about trends in populations, monitoring equipment,  and technology used in the field.