This blog was written by the Barnegat Bay Partnership in New Jersey. The program is a part of the National Estuary Program. This blog is part of a series to introduce our community to the work of other National Estuary Programs throughout the country.
The Barnegat Bay
The Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor Estuary, colloquially known as Barnegat Bay, is a critical natural resource located amidst two of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States, New York City and Philadelphia. The entire watershed spans 660 square miles, draining into 11 rivers and streams that flow into the estuary.
The watershed’s characteristics vary from coastal dunes and marshes (much of which have been heavily developed) to protected Pine Barrens habitats within the Pinelands National Reserve.
About the Region
Over 560,000 people reside within the Barnegat Bay watershed, which includes more than 35 municipalities. The population doubles in the summer as people flock to the shore from nearby Philadelphia, New York metropolitan areas, and beyond. Ocean County is also the second fastest growing county in New Jersey.
This region includes some of the most ecologically productive habitats on Earth and natural features that help buffer coastal communities from storms, improve water quality, and support commercial and recreational fisheries.
Dr. Gerald Kauffman, the Director of the University of Delaware’s Water Resources Agency, explains the significance of the bay to the region’s economy. “The Barnegat Bay supports one of the most valuable economies of any estuary in the nation. It is an ecological treasure that supports a diverse $4 billion per year economy based on good jobs in tourism, fishing, recreation, industry, health care, and water resources.”
With all of the growth and development, negative consequences have emerged that are directly affecting the region’s environment. Significant declines in water quality, increasing demands on water quantity, habitat loss and fragmentation, and declines in our fisheries are just some of the issues we face. Yet the continued economic health of the Barnegat Bay watershed is dependent on the continued health and natural beauty of its waters.
The Barnegat Bay Partnership – Who We Are
The Barnegat Bay Partnership (BBP) recognizes the importance of collaboration in achieving our goal to research, educate, and restore the ecosystem of the Barnegat Bay watershed.
We collaborate with government agencies, researchers, and community groups to address pollution, manage stormwater runoff, and preserve critical habitats within the watershed. BBP also conducts scientific research, educates the public on environmental stewardship, and offers opportunities for volunteers to participate in restoration projects and community science initiatives, all aimed at fostering a sustainable and healthy ecosystem.
Research & Restoration
The BBP conducts and supports a wide range of projects in the Barnegat Bay and its watershed through competitive Requests For Proposals program and other grant funded sources. Our main focus areas include improving water quality through monitoring and assessments, understanding the bay’s Total Maximum Daily Loads, collecting long term data on species living in the Barnegat Bay (including gelatinous zooplankton), and understanding the impacts of a changing climate on New Jersey’s coastal wetlands.
Outreach, Education & Community Engagement
One of the most successful initiatives of the BBP is the creation of the Jersey-Friendly Yards Program. Focused on addressing the impact of non-point source pollution on Barnegat Bay, this program promotes ecological and sustainable landscaping practices for all. We’ve developed three certification programs for schools, municipalities, and residents. Built around the “Eight Steps to a Jersey-Friendly Yard,” the program educates participants on key topics such as wildlife habitats, water conservation, fertilizer use, and the advantages of planting native species. A highlight of the program is our popular Jersey-Friendly Yards Plant Database, which helps users choose plants suited to their yard’s specific conditions by filtering for soil, light, and tolerance preferences. To learn more about the Jersey-Friendly Yards Program, visit our website at jerseyyards.org.
The BBP is deeply committed to serving as a bridge between science and the public, translating environmental research into accessible knowledge. We believe that empowering communities with a clear understanding of the science behind the health of the Barnegat Bay is key to inspiring meaningful action. Through our programs, workshops, and outreach efforts, we aim to cultivate informed stewardship and help residents, schools, and municipalities make informed decisions that protect and preserve our watershed for future generations.
Our Programs
Click the links below to learn more about our various outreach events and programs:
- Barnegat Bay Volunteer Master Naturalist Program – a volunteer naturalist training program.
- Barnegat Bay Blitz – a weeklong, watershed-wide clean up event held during Earth Week.
- Paddle for the Edge – a data collection event driven by volunteer kayakers, canoeists, and stand-up paddle boarders.
- AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassador Program – the BBP serves as a host agency for the Barnegat Bay Watershed Ambassador.
And so much more!
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