Society Calendar Full Of Ocean Planning Events!

The Littoral Society calendar is full of ocean planning events over the next few weeks. In addition to a talk for the Friends of Island Beach State Park lecture series and presentation to the Brick Township Environmental Commission, there are two showings of "Ocean Frontiers III" -- including the New Jersey premier on April 6 at Monmouth University.

Ocean planning is designed to help coordinate the rapidly expanding demands on how we use the ocean while protecting areas that are environmentally important. For example, shipping traffic is increasing, plans for offshore energy projects are becoming a reality, and sand mining efforts could have a negative impact on habitat for developing fish. The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic coastal areas implemented the first US ocean action plans late last year.

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Friends of Island Beach State Park lecture series
On Sunday, March 26 from 2-4 p.m. at the Interpretive Center, the American Littoral Society's Ocean Planning Manager Helen Henderson will be the guest speaker at the Friends of Island Beach State Park lecture series. Helen will delve into ocean planning and the Society's work in Barnegat Bay.

Click here to register. 

Brick Environmental Commission presentation
In addition to ocean planning information, the Brick Environmental Commission presentation will focus on the recent successes the Littoral Society has had with projects to improve the health of the ocean’s backyard – such as Barnegat Bay.

The meeting will be held Tuesday, March 28 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in Council Room A/B (next to Human Resources) unless otherwise indicated at Town Hall – 401 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick NJ 08723.

"Ocean Frontiers III" showings
The "Ocean Frontiers III" showings will be held on Thursday, April 6 from 6-8:30 p.m. at Monmouth University 400 Cedar Avenue, Long Branch, NJ and Saturday, April 22 from 7-9 p.m. at Ship Bottom Volunteer Fire Company, 2006 Central Ave, Surf City, NJ.

The film, subtitled "Leaders in Ocean Stewardship & the New Blue Economy," spotlights the United States’ first-ever regional ocean plans in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic and the people who are leading the way to a sustainable and thriving ocean. It also explores the intersection of national security, marine commerce and conservation with rare underwater footage of stunning marine life along the coast from Virginia to Maine.

The Monmouth University showing is free and open to the public. It will begin with a light reception at 6 p.m. and finish with a panel discussion at 7:30 p.m. Among the panelist will be:

• Liz Semple – Manager, Office of Coastal and Land Use Planning, New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection
• Tim Dillingham – Executive Director, American Littoral Society
• Tom Fote – Commissioner, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Comm.; Legislative Chair, Jersey Coast Anglers Asso. & NJ State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs
• Tony MacDonald – Director, Urban Coast Institute (moderator)

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Co-hosts for the event are the Urban Coast Institute, American Littoral Society, New Jersey Sea Grant, Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC), Surfrider Foundation - Jersey Shore Chapter, The Nature Conservancy - New Jersey Chapter and Green Fire Productions.

The best lots to park in on campus are lots 13/14/15, which back right up to Pozycki Hall. Parking there is free.

Campus map and directions: https://www.monmouth.edu/university/maps-and-directions.aspx

The Surf City showing of "Ocean Frontiers III" will be a special Earth Day screening on Sat Apr 22 from 7:00pm - 9:00pm.

Admission is $5. Free: Students, Faculty, and First responders with appropriate ID. Reservations requested. Click for Tickets. Tickets will also be available at door. Refreshments will be provided by A Little Bite of Italy restaurant.

The award-winning Ocean Frontiers film series follows North American ocean planning from its early days, highlighting the use of new ocean data and extensive stakeholder input to keep national security strong, the economy growing, and ocean habitats protected.