The Wetlands Institute

08/30/2026

Did you know that staff, interns, and volunteers from The Wetlands Institute have been conducting regular patrols of local roads during the terrapin nesting season to help nest-seeking female terrapins safely cross since 1989?

That’s over 35 years of terrapin crossings!

So, what do we do when we encounter a terrapin on these road patrols? Live terrapins are moved out of harm’s way and injured terrapins are given aid or sent to rehabilitation professionals. When road-killed terrapins are encountered, researchers retrieve viable eggs through a process called an “eggectomy” and place them in incubators until they hatch. The hatchlings are raised for one year through our “head start” program in collaboration with local schools and universities, then are released into the wild.

2026 was a record-breaking year; amidst our combined staff and volunteer efforts, we have:
🐢 Crossed 1,258 terrapins on local roadways
🥚 Collected 635 eggs from terrapins fatally injured during road crossings
🤕 Sent 25 turtles to the vet or a rehabber
💧 Released 15 treated/rehabbed turtles back into the wild

Learn more about how we study and protect diamondback terrapins: https://wetlandsinstitute.org/terrapin/

08/28/2026

In case you missed it, we’re sharing our proposed plans for Reimagining The Wetlands Institute. The stories you’re sharing here and as you visit us about your connections to the Institute reinforce the importance of our focus on caring for our marsh. Here’s a picture of what our new facility might look like. Read our press release here: https://wetlandsinstitute.org/reimagineupdate/

08/27/2026

We are pleased to announce our proposed plans for Reimagining The Wetlands Institute to transform our facilities into a modern hub for research, conservation, and public engagement.

For more than 50 years, The Wetlands Institute has been about more than a building. It is about research and discovery. It is about connecting with nature and one another.

Our goal is to better connect people with the marsh while strengthening our ability and capacity to conduct the research and restoration work that is so critical to protecting coastal ecosystems and communities.

We are grateful for how you have inspired us, joined us in conservation, participated in our education programs, and supported our research.

We look forward to your continued support as we tackle this innovative, ecosystem-based approach to reimagining the wetlands.

https://wetlandsinstitute.org/reimagineupdate/

The Wetlands Institute Takes Steps to Reimagine its Marsh Campus Aug 27, 2026 Salt Marsh Trail improvements to begin, followed by proposed plans for a new building Middle Township, NJ (August 27, 2026)— The Wetlands Institute (TWI) has unveiled plans for a reimagined campus, designed to strengthen...

08/25/2026

Don’t worry.

Though The Wetlands Institute will temporarily close its Stone Harbor Boulevard location for improvements, we’ll reopen with fall/winter hours on November 7th in our transitional location – the New Jersey Coastal Conservation Center (NJCCC) at 600 North Delsea Drive in Cape May Court House. We will be returning to our marsh home of more than 50 years when we complete our restoration and improvement work.

The NJCCC will house TWI staff, educational spaces, and our Tidepool Shop. Our research and conservation teams will continue their terrapin, marsh and coastal bird work uninterrupted.

We will continue to provide public programming and education programs from the NJCCC, including:

🕰️Opening to the public for our standard fall/winter weekend hours of 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM Saturdays and Sundays, beginning Saturday, November 7.

🌱Continuing partnerships for school field trips, homeschool classes for the 2026/2027 school year (including our monthly Nature Education for Homeschool Students and Teachers), and scout programs, though we might slightly modify some education programs.

📍Remember, you can visit us in our Stone Harbor Boulevard location through Monday, September 7.

🧭 We encourage you to visit us at the NJCCC – pictured in our post – and to explore the trails and native gardens, marsh overlooks, and the newly renovated space when we kick-off our fall/winter season November 7.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we reimagine our Stone Harbor Boulevard marsh home. You’re helping us change things for the better for people, communities, and wildlife.

08/22/2026

This week we appreciated the opportunity to welcome some of the invaluable state partners who share our commitment to caring for the state’s marshes.

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Acting Commissioner Ed Potasnak and Deputy Commissioner Joe Seebode; New Jersey Fish & Wildlife Assistant Commissioner Dave Golden, Assistant Director Habitat, Access & Endangered Species Element Jason Hearon, Chief of the Bureau of Land Management Pete Winkler, and Aide to the Acting Commissioner Isabel De Vita met with our Executive Director Dr. Lenore Tedesco to discuss collaborations and upcoming projects.

These essential partners took in bird’s-eye views and a down-to-earth tour of our wetlands and the projects of the Seven Mile Island Innovation Lab. We discussed The Wetland’s Institute’s 50 year history of caring for the marsh and our plans to strengthen its resilience for the decades ahead.

08/15/2026

Yes – it’s true! The Wetlands Institute you know and love is closing its doors on Monday, 9/7/2026, so come visit one last time before we go.

We’re reimagining The Wetlands Institute for today and for the future with the next step in our transformation project to Revitalize the Salt Marsh Trail. With work beginning this fall, we are moving to a temporary facility. That’s why in just over three weeks, we will close to the public as we make our move.

Don’t worry – we’ll reopen with fall and winter hours at our new temporary home in November. We’ll share more information about that soon.

For now, we encourage you to stop by the Institute by September 7, before we make our move. Whether you’re squeezing in family fun before kiddos go back to school, looking for a great daytrip, or simply need a nature break, be sure to visit. Our team and the creatures we protect would love to see you!

Read our press release here: https://wetlandsinstitute.org/about-us/latest-news/.

08/11/2026

Looking for a great way to spend the day ? We invite you to visit our marsh home of more than 50 years before we bid farewell to the 2026 summer season. Hours will be seven days a week from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM through Monday, September 7, which is our final day of public programming at the 1075 Stone Harbor Boulevard location. Our Team and the marsh animals we protect would love to see you!

Read our press release here:
https://wetlandsinstitute.org/about-us/latest-news/

08/10/2026

Team is thrilled to be part of the crew for this ICONA Resorts sailing adventure on Thursday, August 13. The educational, entertaining voyage is "shore" to be the perfect way to spend a summer day. We hope you can join us!

Calling all young explorers! 🐢🌊 Set sail aboard the ICONA Yacht for an unforgettable family adventure with The Wetlands Institute.

On August 13 at 10:30 AM, enjoy a 2-hour interactive cruise featuring the Traveling Touch Tank, where kids can get up close with sea stars, horseshoe crabs, sea urchins, and other fascinating local marine life. Plus, enjoy lunch, exciting onboard activities, and a one-of-a-kind day on the water the whole family will love!

⏳ Spots are filling fast! Limited availability, book now through the link in bio before this exclusive experience sells out.

08/09/2026

Bring your buckets and join us at Stone Harbor Point, Stone Harbor, every Monday at 9:30 AM through the end of August.

Meet at the Stone Harbor Point Conservation Area parking lot at 123rd Street and 2nd Avenue to explore the beach for awesome seashells, cool birds, and fun things that live under the sand. A suggested $3 donation helps support ’s research, conservation, and education efforts.

Learn more about the Stone Harbor Point Restoration Project: https://wetlandsinstitute.org/conservation/stone-harbor-point-restoration-project/

08/08/2026

Our Environmental Education and Coastal Conservation Research Program interns captured the crowd during our Annual Intern Symposium!

They shined discussing independent projects they meticulously pursued over the summer – demonstrating their passion for protecting coastal ecosystems. Their focused research and interactive education projects will leave a lasting mark on the Institute, our marsh, and the wider coastal community.

We thank everyone who attended the symposium in person or virtually.

We’re grateful for the Larry L. Luing Family Foundation, the Barbara and Jim Summers Intern Endowment Fund, and the John Lazarich Foundation for generously supporting our Summer Intern Program at .

We invite you to join us in thanking and congratulating our interns for the energy, effort, and enthusiasm they brought to their positions this season.

Well done, 2026 Summer Interns!