Island Beach Nature Programs

08/29/2025

Paddle, dig, and discover on our Clamming by Kayak Tour!

This Saturday, we’re heading out to the Sedge Islands Marine Conservation Zone for a one-of-a-kind adventure. You’ll kayak through the bay, explore the clamming grounds, and learn firsthand how these hardworking shellfish keep Barnegat Bay thriving.

Thinking of taking a taste of the bay home with you? Be sure to have a Recreational Shellfish Harvesting Permit if you plan to keep your clams. Which can be found at https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/licenses-and-permits/

This is a summer shellfishing experience you won’t want to miss. Space is limited, so grab your spot today!

08/16/2025

Meet Aileen, one of our Naturalists!
This is Aileen’s first year working at IBSP. She is going into her junior year at Delaware Valley University for Wildlife and Conservation Management and has a minor in media and communications. When she's not working, studying, or sleeping, she loves fishing, playing sports, and just trying new things. At Island Beach, her favorite program is clamming at sunset!

08/14/2025

One of the earliest recorded European perspectives of the Jersey Shore came from Robert Juet aboard the Half Moon, captained by Henry Hudson. In 1609, the ship was searching for the elusive Northwest Passage, initially reaching land in Canada before meandering along northeast and anchoring near the Barnegat Inlet. Juet wrote that the Jersey Shore was "a very good land to fall in with, and a pleasant land to see", and we are inclined to agree!

08/13/2025

💫 We had an incredible time last night seeing the Perseid Meteor Shower! The meteors were stunning, and the moon had a gorgeous orange glow as it rose above the horizon. We even got to see a rocket launch! 🚀 Missed this event? Join us for our IBSP After Dark on the 22nd of August. While last night was the peak, the shower continues until the 24th and our After Dark events are always a blast!

08/12/2025

Check out what we got up to this week!

🪶 We saw a snowy egret in flight!

🪼 We saw lots of nettles in the bay!

🦀 Aileen wrangled a crab!

🐍 Cornelius did some climbing!

08/12/2025

08/11/2025

Check out what's happening this week at IBSP!

Monday

🦪 Shellfish Gardening 101 | 💲FREE! | 📍IBSP Marina (24th Ave)

Tuesday

🏄🏽 Surfing Safari | 💲25 | 📍OBA 2

🌠 Perseid's Meteor Shower Viewing Party | 💲FREE! | 📍A21

Wednesday

🛶 Sedge Island Kayak Ecotour | 💲25 | 📍A21

Thursday

🏄🏽 Surfing Safari for Adults | 💲25 | 📍OBA 2

🌅 Sunset Paddle | 💲25 | 📍A21

Friday

🎣 Beginner Surf Fishing Clinic | 💲10 | 📍
Nature Center

🛶 Kayak EcoTour & Sedge Islands Natural Resource Education Center | 💲30 | 📍A21

Saturday

🛶 Clamming by Kayak | 💲25 | 📍A21

Sunday

🛶 Sedge Island Kayak Ecotour | 💲25 | 📍A21

Monday

🦪 Shellfish Gardening 101 | 💲FREE! | 📍IBSP Marina (24th Ave)

08/10/2025

Happy Species Sunday! 🦀

This week we are taking a look at the Atlantic Blue Crab! Besides being a favored recipient of Old Bay and boiling water, blue crabs are swift predators and prolific residents of the Barnegat Bay.

Males and females are easiest distinguished by taking a glance at the abdomen. Females have a wide, round apron, often compared to the United States Capitol building, and males have a narrow, pointed apron, resembling the Washington Monument.

Though the blue crab is often described as aggressive, they typically run from humans and will only pinch if they feel cornered. They are capable predators and feed on small fish, eelgrass, and just about anything edible they can find.

The blue crab grows by molting, or shedding, its shell, after which it has a soft shell and is particularly vulnerable to predators.

Blue crabs remain a popular food across the US and are even the mascot of our local minor league baseball team!

08/09/2025

Meet one of our naturalists, Autumn! This is Autumn's first year at IBSP. She has a Bachelor's in Marine Science from The University of Delaware. In her free time, Autumn enjoys kayaking, paddle boarding, and wildlife photography! Her favorite program is Birding by Kayak.

08/08/2025

Avoid looking dazed and confused like this little guy if you find a bird under the weather, and learn what to do if you get the opportunity to be a shorebird savior! Whether it be an unfortunate tangle with fishing line, a lost jousting match with a moving car, or a bonk on a window, one thing always rings true; If you are able catch it, it may need help from an experienced bird rehabilitator. The Nature Center at IBSP is NOT a licensed rehabilitation facility, but we are always happy to point you in the right direction. If you find an injured bird, call the Nature Center for guidance or call the nearest licensed facility, Toms River Avian Care!

08/08/2025

Have you noticed the purple coloring on the shells of the Quahog Clam? This part of the shell was highly valued by the indigenous people that originally inhabited New Jersey. They would carefully carve the purple shell into beads, then string them onto belts. These designs were used for record-keeping, story-telling, and even as a certificate of authority!

When Europeans began to settle in the Americas, they saw the value that these beads held and began to use wampum as currency to aid in trading with the native peoples. Wampum was legal currency in New England from 1637 until 1661, but was not originally used as currency by the indigenous peoples.

08/06/2025

See the Barnegat Bay and Island Beach State Park in a new light during one of our Sedge Island Kayak EcoTours! Spot magnificent shorebirds, search for critters in the sand, and hear all about the ecology and history of Island Beach State Park. You may even see some diamondback terrapins peeking at you by Spizzle Creek! Experience all the beauty of kayaking on the bay with none of the hassle of setting up. Our knowledgeable naturalists will teach you all about the local wildlife and show you some of the park's best kept secrets! Register on our website for any of the following dates: 8/10, 8/13, 8/17, 8/20, or 8/24!

🛶 Sedge Island Kayak Ecotour | 💲25 | 📍A21