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Message ANNUALREPORT2 0 2 4 - 2 0 2 5

Water Quality ............................................ 9Collecting Data for the Future .......... 5Water Supply ............................................. 12ContentsWater Resources ........................... 7Living Resources ........................... 13Wetlands Research & Monitoring .. 15Connecting Streams ............................. 16Watershed Restoration ........................ 16Long Term Fish Sampling .................. 17Submerged Aquatic Vegetation ....... 18Nature Based Shorelines .................... 19Shellfish ...................................................... 21Education & Outreach ............ 23General Outreach ................................... 25Jersey Friendly Yards ........................... 26Master Naturalists .................................29Watershed Ambassador ..................... 30Paddle for the Edge ............................... 31Barnegat Bay Blitz ................................. 32Director’s Message .................................. 3Financial Report ..................................... 5Introduction

NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM MISSION AND VISIONThe Barnegat Bay Partnership is one of28 National Estuary Programs in theUnited States. The Barnegat BayPartnership comprises federal, state,county, municipal, academic, business,and private stakeholders workingtogether to help restore, maintain,protect, and enhance the water qualityand natural resources of the BarnegatBay estuary and its contributingwatershed.FEDERAL INVESTMENT INLOCAL ESTUARIESAs a National Estuary Program establishedpursuant to the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C.1330; PL 100-4, et seq.), the Barnegat BayPartnership receives CWA Section 320grant funding from USEPA. The County ofOcean, through the Ocean County NaturalLands Trust and Ocean County College,provides the annual matching fundsrequired for the grant. Through the BBPwork plan and related activities, the BBPand its partners are able to leverage otherinvestments to protect and restore thewatershed. During the federal fiscal year2024, the total amount leveraged was$26.2 million, which resulted in a 14.9 to 1total return on investment. We thankOcean County College and all of ourpartners for their continuing support ofour efforts to protect the bay.

ENSURING WATER FOR ALL?We use water for lots of differentactivities and generally take abundantclean water supplies for granted.Statista (Hamburg, Germany) reportsthat 91% of the human population hasaccess to basic drinking water services,with the percentage in North Americaamong the highest percentages ofaccess to water services worldwide(99%). Despite such availability, humanpopulation growth and someanthropogenic activities are placingincreasing pressure on freshwaterresources which are essential forhuman needs and various ecosystemservices (e.g., plant production,nutrient cycling, soil formation).Some ecosystem services do affecthumans directly, but they also impactus indirectly, through their support ofand impacts to biotic resources (plants,fish, and wildlife), many of which arebiologically, commercially andrecreationally important.A MESSAGEFROM THEDIRECTOR Thus, in addition to being critical to oursurvival, water is essential for ourrecreation, commerce, and quality oflife! For these reasons, the BarnegatBay Partnership identifies watersupplies and flows among the prioritiesof its 2021 ComprehensiveConservation and Management Plan.Unfortunately, weather conditionsthroughout New Jersey and here inAtlantic coastal watersheds have beenexperiencing various levels of droughtconditions for most of the past 25years. Drought conditions haveoccurred throughout various portionsof the state for 19 of the past 25 years.Ocean County has fared similarly, withdrought conditions also reported in 19of the past 25 years. Presently, precipitation statewideranges from 11-50% below average;Ocean County is 25-50% below averageand Cape May County even worse. 03 | An nual Rep ort 2024

Along the Atlantic coast of New Jersey,90-day stream flow levels, an importantdrinking water supply indicator,currently indicate extremely dryconditions. NOAA’s Palmer Index ofDrought Severity, which integratesmany variables (i.e., runoff,transpiration, infiltration) and changeslittle on short time scales, lists thesouthern half of New Jersey ascurrently experiencing extreme droughtconditions.Maintaining water flows in freshwaterbodies (streams and rivers) to supporthuman water needs and ecosystemservices requires a fundamentalunderstanding of the relations betweenchanges in streamflow processes andecosystem responses. To work towardone of the BBP’s ecosystem targets, theBarnegat Bay Partnership funded theUSGS New Jersey Water Science Centerto assess stream flow conditions inselect Barnegat Bay tributaries (i.e.,those with log-term data records) as afirst step towards the development ofecological-flow targets for the BarnegatBay watershed.Just published this month, the studyexamined several flow (e.g., mean dailystream flows; the magnitude, duration,and frequency of low flows) and othermetrics (land use). The study found thatdaily stream flows, the seasonality ofstream flows, and “low-flow” metrics allchanged somewhat differently in fourstreams that were compared: the NorthBranch of the Metedeconk River, TomsRiver, Cedar Creek, and the WestecunkCreek. In the meantime, check out the BBP’sJerseyFriendlyYards website, the OCSCD(Make your Yard a Sponge) and our manypartners’ websites (Veolia, BTMUA, EPA’sWater Sense Program) to learn moreabout how you can use water wisely andreduce your water use.Stan Hales, PhDDirector, Barnegat Bay Partnership04 | Ann ual Repo rt 2 024

53.5%23.8%11.9%10.9%FISCAL YEAR 2024 FUNDING DISTRIBUTIONHabitat Acquisition,Protection &RestorationEducation, Outreach,& StewardshipMonitoring & ResearchProgram Administration$3,294,175Total FY 2024 FundingUSEPA CleanWater ActAgreement FISCAL YEAR 2024 FUNDING SOURCESNational EstuaryProgram BaseFunding $850,000Ocean CountyNatural LandsTrust Match$772,329Ocean CountyCollege Match$77,671USEPA FY 2022BIL AwardCCMP Implementation $909,800RestoreAmerica’sEstuariesNEP Watersheds Grant, Nellie BennettMarsh Restoration & Living Shoreline,Phase 2 $500,000NJ Department ofEnvironmentalProtectionNJ Tidal WetlandsMonitoring Network$15,18105 | An nual Rep ort 2024

FISCAL YEAR 2025 FUNDING DISTRIBUTION$2,623,850Total FY 2025 FundingUSEPA CleanWater ActAgreement FISCAL YEAR 2025 FUNDING SOURCESNational EstuaryProgram Base Funding$850,000Ocean County NaturalLands Trust Match$850,000USEPA FY 2023BIL AwardCCMP Implementation $909,800NJ Department ofEnvironmentalProtectionNJ Tidal WetlandMonitoringNetwork $14,05046%31%13%10%Habitat Acquisition,Protection &RestorationEducation, Outreach,& StewardshipMonitoring & ResearchProgram Administration06 | Ann ual Repo rt 2 024

The Barnegat Bay Partnership is committed to increasing our knowledge of theestuary. Individually and together with partners, we conduct research andmonitoring activities to better understand the bay’s condition and environmentaltrends, and provide a scientific basis for management and restoration decisions.

The bay’s water quality is critical to the bay’s overall condition, as well as to coastalcommunities within the region and their tourism-based economies. Eutrophicationof the bay caused by high nutrient loading is the major problem affecting thenorthern portions of the bay, while recent science suggests sediment pollution maybe an equally important challenge affecting the southern portion of the bay. Ourunderstanding of the bay has improved substantially in recent years; however,continued monitoring and science are essential to improving the bay as our worldchanges. Continuous Water Quality Monitoring NetworkThe BBP operates continuous water-quality monitoring stations atthree bay sites: Seaside Park Yacht Club, Mantoloking Yacht Club,and Queen City Marina in Beach Haven. Every 15 minutes,instruments collect and transmit data (water temperature,salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, pH, and depth) in near real-time to the NJDEP’s continuous water-quality monitoring website,where they are available for downloading and public use. 09 | An nual Rep ort 2024Water QualityBBP Water Quality LaboratoryDuring 2023 and 2024, the BBP laboratory continued to collectand analyze samples for five water-quality parameters(temperature, conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity).The lab assisted all BBP research by providing support with water-quality monitoring, methods development, and a Quality ControlProgram which ensures reliable data were collected and analyzed. WATER RESOURCES

2023-2024 Collection UpdateMantoloking and Seaside stationsoperated continuously without majorinterruption during 2023, both collectingapproximately 273,000 data points each.Beach Haven had only minor interruptionsand collected approximately 189,000data points during 2023. In 2024, using BILfunds, both the Beach Haven and Seasidestation’s aging components werereplaced. The Berkeley TownshipUnderwater Search and Rescue Unit, JCNERR and Queen City Marina were criticalto the success at the Beach Haven station.The Mantoloking station operatedcontinuously and is the next station to berebuilt. All three stations collected wellover 200,000 data points each in 2024.10 | Ann ual Repo rt 2 024The BBP received funding from theNJDEP in 2020 to develop twoWatershed Protection and RestorationPlans, one for the Toms River watershedand one for the Cedar Creek/OysterCreek/Forked River watershed complex. The primary goal of the plans is toprotect and improve water quality inthese two watersheds and the BarnegatBay. During 2023, a stakeholder meetingwas held for each plan, prioritymanagement strategies were selected,and additional field work was completedby the BBP to collect data for thedevelopment of conceptual designs ofpriority implementation projects. During2024, the management strategiesdocuments were completed for bothplans, draft Plan documents werecompleted and revised, and fiveconceptual designs with cost estimateswere developed for actionable projectswithin each plan area. The final plandocuments will be completed andpresented to stakeholders during 2025.Watershed Protection& Restoration Plans

11 | Ann ual Repo rt 2 024Collecting Data for the Future As part of the 2021 Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan, the BBPrecently drafted an Environmental Monitoring Plan, which contains metadata for allof the existing or recently completed environmental monitoring efforts in thewatershed, highlights gaps in monitoring necessary for tracking or reaching theBBP’s programmatic goals, and contains a list of new monitoring efforts whichshould be undertaken. This plan will be released in 2025 and is a guiding documentfor future monitoring and research programs for both the BBP and its partners. WATER RESOURCES

12 | An nual Rep ort 2024Water SupplyMonitoring StreamflowAdequate stream flow is important for aquatic biotainhabiting the many miles of streams within thewatershed. The BBP funded USGS to examine historicstreamflow from four different gauges within thewatershed to investigate changes in low flow statistics.The report was just published, and is an important firststep in determining the minimum flows necessary forecological health within the watershed’s streams. UsingBIL funds the BBP will continue to fund USGS on furtherresearch to determine minimum “ecological” flows. The Barnegat Bay watershed provides important water supplies for human andnon-human uses, and these supplies are vulnerable to storm surges, saltwaterintrusion, drought, and contamination. Like all estuaries, the ecology of theBarnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor ecosystem is primarily determined by the nature ofits freshwater inputs.

The Barnegat Bay ecosystem is comprised of a diversity of upland and wetland habitats,from submerged habitats within the bay, to low-lying coastal and freshwater wetlandhabitats, to uplands of pine and oak forests. Four habitat types were identified ascharacteristic of, and critical to, the living resources, ecology, and economy of thewatershed, and will comprise the focus of the BBP’s future Habitat Protection andRestoration Plan.

15 | An nual Rep ort 2024LIVING RESOURCESWetlands Research & MonitoringCoastal wetlands provide us with criticalservices, including flood protection,maintenance of water quality, carbon andnutrient sequestration, and fish andwildlife habitats. With changing weatherand land use conditions, it is imperativethat we monitor, manage, and enhancevulnerable wetlands in our watershed. The BBP has been a Mid-Atlantic CoastalWetlands Assessment (MACWA) partnerfor the past 14 years, monitoring theextent and condition of our coastalwetlands and conducting special studiesthat investigate the impacts of changingconditions on tidal marshes.In 2023 and 2024, the BBP continuedlong-term monitoring of four marsh sitesin the bay (Reedy Creek, Island BeachState Park, Dinner Point, and HorsePoint). We collected over 1,080 measurementsper year from surface elevation tables(SETs) and marker horizon plots, whichhelp us monitor changes in marshelevation and determine if the bay’smarshes are keeping pace with changingweather and land use conditions.The BBP shares data and participateswith the New Jersey Tidal WetlandsMonitoring Network, where researcherscollaborate to gain a statewide andregional perspective on the status andfuture of this critical resource.In 2023 and 2024, the BBP also continuedto provide technical support and/or datato the NJ Bay Islands Initiative, US ArmyCorps of Engineers, NJ Department ofEnvironmental Protection, and the NJDepartment of Transportation for itsAtlantic Coastal Regional SedimentManagement Plan.

16 | An nual Rep ort 2024Connecting StreamsWhere roads cross over streams, the types ofstructures used (e.g., pipe culverts, dams, boxculverts, bridges) and their maintenance can affectthe natural stream-flow and/or the movement ofaquatic species above and through the crossings.These stream crossings also serve as pathways forterrestrial animals to traverse roadways. To betterdocument how altered connectivity may beimpacting both aquatic and terrestrial species inthe watershed, the BBP is conducting a census ofthe reported crossings in our watershed. In 2024,using BIL funds, over 20 crossing assessments werecompleted in Manchester Township. Theseassessments will help the BBP and its partnerstarget those crossings most in need ofrehabilitation or replacement, as well as assess theresiliency of crossings with changes in weatherpatterns, particularly precipitation. All data areavailable on the North Atlantic AquaticConnectivity Collaborative’s website.

17 | An nual Rep ort 2024LIVING RESOURCESLong Term Juvenile Nekton and GelatinousZooplankton Sampling2024 was our 13th year of assessingvariations in the abundance anddistribution of juvenile fishes andjellyfishes in the bay. From May toOctober, we seined at 15 bay locations,identifying 64 different taxa (59 fishes, 1gelatinous zooplankton, 2 crabs, 1terrapin, 1 squid) and counting nearly71,000 individuals. This included over 46,000 menhaden(Brevoortia tyrannus), which was asubstantial decrease from the last twoyears’ historic highs (91,000 in 2022 and109,000 in 2023). The data we collectedwill help identify trends in thepopulations of many recreationally andcommercially important species, andassess the effects of changes in waterquality, habitat, and other conditions onthe bay’s fauna.In the next year a manuscript detailingproject results will be drafted andsubmitted for publication. We are exploring various ways to communicatenettle abundance in real time to thepublic. Bay NettlesBay NettlesIn response to public concerns and a lackof information, the BBP is conducting astudy on how bay nettle densities areimpacting human use of the bay.In the summer of 2024 (July- September)BBP staff sampled fixed areas at variousswimming beaches around the bay toestablish the likelihood of encounteringjellyfish at different densities. Juvenile Eel MonitoringJuvenile Eel MonitoringLow population numbers of American eel(Anguilla rostrata) remain a concern upand down the Atlantic coast. The winterof 2024 was our 13th year of monitoringthe ingress of juvenile American eels intothe Barnegat Bay watershed. FromFebruary through April, we monitoredeels at four watershed locations,completing 312 monitoring events andmeasuring a total of 3,173 eels. The eelnumbers in 2024 were the highestobserved since the record-breakingnumbers seen in 2019. Data from thisproject are shared with our state andfederal partners for use in state- andcoast-wide assessments of the Americaneel population. The data from this study was comparedto bay nettle data from previous years toexamine which beaches have historicallyhad the highest chances of jellyfishencounters, and if the chances ofencountering jellyfish have changedthrough time.

18 | An nual Rep ort 2024LIVING RESOURCESSubmerged Aquatic VegetationSeagrasses are a vital habitat for thehealth of the bay and its aquaticorganisms. In 2023, using BIL funds, theBBP funded a researcher with StocktonUniversity to help provide the dataneeded to produce new seagrassdistribution and acreage maps, the firstnew maps since 2009. These maps are critical for tracking thehealth of seagrasses in the bay, and forinforming new and vital seagrassmonitoring and restoration projects. In addition, with BIL funds, the health ofseagrass beds were reassessed as part ofa long-term survey dating back to 2004.The impacts of new shoreline projects onneighboring seagrass beds is beinginvestigated. These two surveys help the BBP and itspartners further understand the status ofseagrasses in the bay, and their responses to increasingly popularshoreline restoration techniques.

19 | An nual Rep ort 2024LIVING RESOURCESNature Based Shorelines In 2023, BBP staff continued ongoingassessments at the Iowa Court in LittleEgg Harbor and Green Street inTuckerton shoreline stabilizationprojects. Through NJDEP 319(h) fundingawarded to Little Egg Harbor Township,the BBP collected standardized MACWAmetrics to track changes in these twoproject sites over time. Once again, weteamed up with the NJDEP Office ofInformation Technology to use dronetechnologies to visualize and quantifyproject progression.Using high resolution imagery, we cantrack specific movements in vegetationcommunities, shoreline position, andproject structures. While the yearly project monitoringconcluded in 2023, targeted monitoringtook place in 2024 and adaptivemanagement recommendations weremade based on those findings. The finalmonitoring report was issued to Little EggHarbor Township in 2024.

20 | Annual Rep ort 2024Ph oto court esy of G avin Shwa hlaIn 2024, Phase 2 of the project beganwith funding from Restore America’sEstuaries Coastal Watershed GrantProgram (supported by EPA). This phasewill involve completing the projectdesign, permitting the restorationactivities, and constructing the nature-based shoreline restoration.Stevens Institute of Technology hasbegun work to assess the Jeffrey’s Creekshoreline in Ocean Gate, another livingshoreline site funded by the NJDEP319(h) funds. In 2025 a concept designfor this shoreline will be created and theproject will proceed to permitting.The report showed the changes at thesites since the projects were constructedand highlighted successes as well asareas that may need management orcontinued monitoring.The BBP received funding from theNational Fish and Wildlife Foundation forthe design of a shoreline and marshplatform restoration project at the NellieBennett marsh in the Borough of PointPleasant. The project kicked off in 2023with a meeting with the Borough. Thisfirst phase of the project completedinitial planning tasks and a restorationdesign was developed that will be carriedto the next phase.

21 | An nual Rep ort 2024LIVING RESOURCESShellfishOysters are a valuable species for thehealth of the bay, providing waterfiltration and habitat. To help supporttheir recovery, using BIL funds, the BBPprovided funding to the Ocean CountySoil Conservation District for theirCOASTAL program. This programprovides funding to aquaculture farmersto grow oysters for use in restoration, likeplanting on artificial reefs. In total, ninegrowers participated, and approximately514,000 oysters were planted onto tworeefs in the bay. Three more plantings areplanned for future years. With regard to hard clams, NJDEP hasbegun drafting a hard clam fisherymanagement plan, which will help guidebetter management of this valuableresource. The BBP is serving on thestatewide advisory committee for thatplan. In the coming year the BBP’sShellfish Working Group will also bereleasing a Best Management PracticesGuide covering shell recovery efforts,helping guide organizations which may beinterested in starting a shell recoveryprogram.

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Public education and participation are central to the BBP’s mission to protect andrestore the water quality of the bay and its contributing watershed. Guided by theBBP’s Communication and Outreach Plan, Partnership educators engage watershedresidents and visitors in activities to increase understanding of the human impactson the Barnegat Bay’s ecosystem, promote stewardship of the bay’s resources, andgrow public participation in the protection and restoration of this valuable estuary.

25 | An nual Rep ort 2024EDUCATION & OUTREACHGeneral OutreachIn 2024, Barnegat Bay Partnershipoutreach staff delivered 51 educationalprograms to diverse target audiences andexhibited at 22 partner outreach events.The topics covered relate to the fourpriorities in the 2021 ComprehensiveConservation and Management Plan forthe Barnegat Bay – water quality, watersupply, living resources, and land use.Target audiences included watershedresidents and visitors, students,community groups, and local elected andappointed officials.The Barnegat Bay Partnership team hasforged a partnership with theKean/Ocean Marketing Club, engagingstudents in developing new and excitingoutreach resources for the community.The students were able to bring a varietyof backgrounds that lended to uniquecreativity in promotional videos andmaterials available through the BarnegatBay Partnership.The BBP is actively seeking new ways toengage the students of Kean and OCC increative and cross-disciplinary work, andwe welcome new ideas! We are gratefulfor the work of these students, and lookforward to strengthening our partnershipand creating more opportunities in thefuture.Connecting with College Students

26 | An nual Rep ort 2024EDUCATION & OUTREACHJersey Friendly Yards ConferenceOn September 14, 2024, the BBP hostedits 6th Annual Jersey-Friendly YardsConference at Ocean County College,drawing 125 attendees. The event,themed “The Hows & Whys for Spaces ofAny Size,” included four interactiveworkshops, partner exhibitor displays,and a native plant sale. Keynote speakerBobbie Herbs headlined the conference,and attendees had a choice of twohands-on sessions: Native PlantPropagation, Exploring Soil Texture,Invasive Plant Identification, or a Q&Apanel with Master Gardeners sharingexpert advice. Workshop leaders included Becky Laboy,Education and Outreach Coordinator forthe Ocean County Soil ConservationDistrict; Bill Errickson, Agriculture &Natural Resources Agent for RutgersCooperative Extension of MonmouthCounty; Michele Bakacs, AgriculturalAgent for Rutgers Cooperative Extensionof Middlesex and Union Counties; andfive Rutgers Master GardenerCoordinators from across New Jersey. Speakers did a great job growing ourcollective stewardship of the bay’swater resources.Jersey Friendly Yards

27 | Annual Rep ort 2024EDUCATION & OUTREACHJersey Friendly Yards Certification ProgramUsing the resources and tools of theJersey-Friendly Yards (JFY) website, theJersey-Friendly Yards StewardshipCertification Program is designed toengage residents, schools, andmunicipalities in landscaping practicesthat reduce non-point source pollution,infiltrate stormwater, and conservewildlife habitat in the Barnegat Baywatershed. In 2024, a total of 60residents successfully completed achecklist of JFY practices that they haveimplemented on their properties andbecame certified residents in theprogram. Each certified resident receiveda sign recognizing their achievement todisplay in their yard. Ph oto Court esy of B renda Rea myThe Borough of Pine Beach is makingsignificant progress toward certification,with completion anticipated by Spring2025. Two additional municipalities,Lakewood and Brick Township, haverecently joined the program. Inpartnership with Jersey-Friendly Yards,Manasquan Bank, and the WeLoveYouFoundation, Brick Township advancedtheir efforts by planting 37 trees andmaintaining an existing native pollinatorgarden at the historic Havens Farmproperty. The BBP, in partnership withLacey Township officials, has developed acomprehensive Vegetation ManagementPlan for Forked River Beach BayfrontPark. This plan outlines strategies toenhance and maintain the park's naturallandscapes, focusing on stabilizingshoreline vegetation, mitigating erosion,and improving habitat for local wildlife.

28 | An nual Rep ort 2024EDUCATION & OUTREACHCertifying Schools, Municipalities, and Personal PropertiesThe Jersey-Friendly Yards (JFY) SchoolCertification Program celebrates schoolsthat bring JFY principles to life throughimpactful schoolyard projects. There arecurrently 10 schools registered andmaking progress toward certification. Formore information about the SchoolCertification Program, see the JerseyFriendly Yards website.With support from the Rutgers WaterResources Program and a donation fromVeolia, South Toms River Elementary wascertified after completing a rain gardeninstallation in July. This effort wascomplemented by the school’sEnvironmental Club which participated inmonthly educational programmingleading up to the project.

29 | An nual Rep ort 2024EDUCATION & OUTREACHVolunteer MasterNaturalistsThe Master Naturalists contributehundreds of volunteer hours annually toeducate others about the watershed’sabundant natural resources and assistwith stewardship projects. In 2024,Master Naturalist volunteers deliveredprograms, exhibited at partner events,led trash clean-ups, and published twoissues of The Naturalist, their popularnewsletter about Barnegat Bay ecologyand wildlife. A new class of 18 individualscompleted the Master Naturalist trainingcourse in the spring of 2024; they willbecome certified Master Naturalists afterfinishing at least 40 hours of volunteerservice within the Barnegat Baywatershed.As part of this program, volunteers areexpected to complete 8 hours ofadvanced environmental training eachcalendar year. BBP offered a continuingeducation workshop on December 10th,2024, featuring guest speaker AlieKratzer, who taught the naturalists aboutcicadas, including their mysterious lifecycles. This event functioned as acollaborative brainstorming session,discussing post-completion goals for theprogram, experiences as a volunteer, andan opportunity to help shape ournaturalist community. At this event, itwas decided that the BBP will organizequarterly meetings and one continuingeducation program a year.

30 | An nual Rep ort 2024EDUCATION & OUTREACHWatershed AmbassadorsWatershed AmbassadorsFor the thirteenth consecutive year, theBBP is hosting the Barnegat Baywatershed ambassador, one of 20AmeriCorps volunteers with the NJDEP’sWatershed Ambassador Program. Theambassadors promote watershedstewardship through education anddirect community involvement, andmonitor stream health using visual andbiological assessments. While serving asambassadors in 2024, Caroline McFarland(2023-2024) and Forrest Jennings (2024-2025), presented over 40 educationalprograms and engaged communities intrash clean-ups, environmentalstewardship trainings, and otherstewardship activities. CarolineMcFarland also collaborated with Jersey-Friendly Yards to rejuvenate a nativeplant garden at Ocean County College'scampus on April 23, 2024.Nitrogen TMDL Info SessionsNitrogen TMDL Info SessionsIn 2024, the BBP hosted the final twoNJDEP public information sessions onthe development of a proposed nitrogenwater quality standard for the BarnegatBay. These sessions, held at OceanCounty College on January 31 andOctober 22, provided stakeholders withan overview of the scientific researchbehind the nitrogen standard and thedevelopment of a technical model usedto represent current conditions in theBay and predict responses to changingconditions. The October session alsohighlighted ongoing initiatives andprojects supporting TMDLimplementation. Both events wereoffered in a hybrid format. The secondsession had 83 attendees (36 in-personand 47 virtual), while the third had 76attendees (30 in-person and 46 virtual). Arecording of the presentations isavailable on the NJDEP’s YouTube page.

The Barnegat Bay Blitz is an annualwatershed-wide trash cleanup eventorganized by the Barnegat BayPartnership (BBP), the New JerseyDepartment of EnvironmentalProtection (NJDEP), and Ocean CountyClean Communities. In 2024, the Blitztook place during Earth Week, from April20–27, and featured 22 cleanups acrossthe watershed by both land and water. A remarkable 800 volunteers of all agesparticipated, removing an estimated18,000 pounds of trash—approximately700 bags—from the watershed. Thisyear introduced a new system whereOcean County Clean Communitiesprovided scales to cleanup captains,allowing for more accurate weightmeasurements. The event's success wasdriven by municipalities, communitygroups, schools, clubs, and privateorganizations demonstrating the powerof teamwork in protecting Barnegat Bay. 31 | An nual Rep ort 2024EDUCATION & OUTREACHBarnegat Bay Blitz

32 | An nual Rep ort 2024EDUCATION & OUTREACHPaddle for the EdgeIn 2023 and 2024, the BBP’s Paddle forthe Edge program continued work in theBarnegat Bay, Great Egg Harbor inAtlantic County, and in 7-Mile IslandEstuary in Cape May County. In 2024the BBP trained over 80 volunteers onprotocols to collect data on shorelineconditions. Volunteers assessed 880locations, covering 21 miles ofshoreline. This marked the 10th year ofthe Paddle for the Edge Survey, anddata is being used for long-termshoreline monitoring. An interactiveportal will soon be available for thepublic and resource managers toexplore. Through this community scienceprogram, volunteers have paddled morethan 233 miles of shoreline andcollected data at a total of 11,113locations. Their data help the BBP to 1) monitor current shoreline conditions, 2)assess how shorelines may be changingover time, and 3) identify potentiallocations for shoreline restorationprojects. Volunteers and partners canlook forward to their efforts being usedto identify where to implementrestoration efforts in the future. EmailPaddle4TheEdge@gmail.com tovolunteer for the 2025 survey. Partial funding fo r t h e 2 0 2 3 s u r vey, and full support for t h e 2 0 2 4 s u r v e y was provided by Atlantic Sh o r e s O f f s h o r e Wind.

Barnegat Bay PartnershipOcean County CollegeCollege Drive | PO Box 2001Toms River, NJ 08754-2001One of 28 National Estuary Programs, the Barnegat Bay Partnershipcomprises federal, state, county, municipal, academic, business, andprivate stakeholders working together to help restore, maintain, protect,and enhance the water quality and natural resources of the Barnegat Bayestuary and its contributing watershed.ANNUAL REPORT | 2024-2025