Press release from Brookdale Community College
Tim Dillingham, Executive Director of the American Littoral Society, will discuss the health of New Jersey ocean environment and the uneasy relationship between inhabited coastlines and uninhibited seas on January 26 at Brookdale Community College.
The 6 pm meeting, open to the public, includes members of the BCC Environmental Club and the Jersey Shore (Monmouth) Sierra Group.
Specifically, Mr. Dillingham will focus on the need to restore and protect coastal habitat after Hurricane Sandy, and he will explore several defensive strategies for predicted sea level rise in the future.
The issue of restoring the Jersey coast against future hurricanes and rising sea levels, while protecting the state’s fragile coastal marine habitat, has been a heated topic since Hurricane Sandy, as economic and development advocates argue with environmental and zoning advocates to determine how to rebuild sustainable shore communities.
Since 1961, the Littoral Society has urged citizens to care for the coast through advocacy, conservation, and education. Not only does the Society “represent the fish,” a favorite slogan of the Society’s staff, its mission also is to give citizens the knowledge and tools they need to raise their voices as well.
According to Dillingham, “When we restore habitat, our objective is not only to restore a dune or rebuild an oyster reef, but also to motivate people to invest ‘sweat equity’ into a piece of the coast, take ownership and become committed stewards.”
The presentation, part of BCC’s “Science Monday” lectures, is hosted by Brookdale’s Environmental Club to encourage students to be involved in statewide and national debates on the importance of strong environmental protections. A a pizza and subs buffet begins at 6 pm, with the talk following at 6:30.
The meeting will take place inside the Twin Lights Rooms 1 and 2 of the Student Life Center building. Use parking lot 7 — if lot 7 is full, use parking lots 5 or 6 (a campus map is available here).
