Giving the Bay a Voice
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Giving the Bay a Voice
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Watershed Watch

When it comes to protecting Barnegat Bay and the vital natural areas surrounding it, more eyes watching out means greater protection. While some threats to the bay are large and obvious, others quietly simmer unnoticed within our neighborhoods and communities. These hidden dangers can have lasting impacts if left unaddressed.

Your Role in Protecting Barnegat Bay

By noticing something—and more importantly, saying something—you play a critical role in helping us identify and address potential threats at their source. Together, we can safeguard the Bay we all cherish.

What Should You Watch For?

Not sure what kinds of issues to report? Here are some examples:

  • Marine life or algae washing ashore: Unusual die-offs or blooms could indicate water quality issues.
  • Unpleasant odors from waterways: A smell from a river, creek, or stream may signal pollution.
  • Illegal dumping: Trash piling up on a trail or empty lot could lead to harmful runoff.
  • Development threats: Seeing “for sale” signs in favorite wooded areas or receiving a 200-foot notice about plans to develop nearby green spaces.
  • Oil or grease contamination: Observing seepage in the ground or water is a potential environmental hazard.
  • Neglected industrial sites: Polluted areas left uncleaned may be slated for redevelopment without proper safeguards.

These are just a few examples of concerns community members like you have brought to our attention. These small “breadcrumb trails” often lead to major victories in protecting the health and future of Barnegat Bay.

Why Your Report Matters
Not every issue is cause for alarm—some have harmless explanations—but every concern deserves evaluation. By bringing these issues to our attention, you help us build a safety net for Barnegat Bay and all the life that depends on it.

How to Take Action

  • Report a Concern: Use our Watershed Watch Intake Form to share details about an issue or concern in your community.
  • Become a Community Captain: Get empowered with the knowledge, tools, and strategies needed to navigate planning boards and protect natural spaces from overdevelopment. Learn More Here

Your vigilance makes a difference. Together, we can keep Barnegat Bay thriving for generations to come.

Click here for the Intake Form

Alexandra Sellitsch

Alex is 27 years old and is an aspiring marine biologist who is finishing up her junior year at Stockton University. Growing up by the beach has made a significant impact on Alex’s life, which has influenced her passion for the ocean. She is an advocate for elasmobranch conservation, and enjoys getting her hands dirty in research. Alex is currently an intern with Barnegat Bay, researching pathogen influences in the bay’s water. She is also an active intern partnering with one of her professors, who is researching dual seagrass habitats in the Mullica River-Great Bay Estuary. In her spare time, Alex enjoys spending time at the beach and teaching herserself new hobbies. Hobbies that include roller skating, and surfing. Alex is also volunteering with the Berkeley Township Underwater Search and Rescue Team, and is in the process of obtaining her SCUBA certification.