Student Grant Program

Save Barnegat Bay awards $1,000 to each accepted Team Project member and $1,500 to each accepted Independent Project student at the completion of the respective projects. The funds are an academic grant which the student can use towards their educational pursuits or as they see fit.

 

 

 

From our Students

 

gazing_bianca

“Since completing research in the Student Grant Program in 2013 and 2014, I have matured from a student within the program, to serving as, and willing to serve as, a research mentor as well as member of the grant committee. The Student Grant Program gave me the opportunity to learn, grow, and challenge myself, ultimately inspiring me to get my MS and then pursue my PhD. I would not be where I am today without it!“-Bianca Reo Charbonneau

Colleen_Cochran

“My experience with the Student Grant Program enabled me to join a plant evolutionary ecology lab my freshman year at Fordham, and I continued to conduct research at IBSP the next summer. I am so thankful for the mentorship of Bianca and the grant committee. Conducting research with Save Barnegat Bay is a unique and wonderful opportunity.”-Colleen Cochran

Lauren-Cruz-full“The Student Grant Program was an early jump-start to my career as a wildlife biologist. This is thanks to the invaluable experiences of working with real-world problems, honing of research skills, inspiring mentorship and networking opportunities that I was able to receive through this program.”-Lauren Cruz

Alissa_Pazienza_full“As a young, prospective scientist, this program gave me real, hands on experience. I learned how to do research from beginning to end: working in a group, collecting samples, gathering data, and presenting the findings to real scientists. The Student Grant Program gave me the experience to have confidence in myself as a scientist!”-Alissa Pazienza

 

Save Barnegat Bay awards $1,000 to each accepted Team Project member and $1,500 to each accepted Independent Project student at the completion of the respective projects. The funds are an academic grant which the student can use towards their educational pursuits or as they see fit. 

 

Past Projects

 

Current Student Grant Participants

Alicia Calkins

Victoria Farley

Amy Johnson

Past Student Grant Participants

Alaina Perdon

Alec Boss

Digital Marketing & Communications Coordinator

Alexandra Sellitsch

Alicia Calkins

Grant Committee

The Student Grant Committee is a group of representative partners charged with nominating proposals for funding, assisting students as mentors, and providing scientific and presentation feedback to all student candidates.

  • Bianca Reo Charbonneau ORISE Fellow US Coastal Research Program (USCRP)
  • Jason Kelsey MATES, Science Teacher, Student Research Coordinator
  • John Wnek MATES/Project Terrapin (Student Grant Committee co-coordinator
  • Chris Claus Ocean County Park Chief Naturalist
  • Michelle Gannon Ph.D. Drexel University, College of Arts and Science
  • Becky Laboy Education and Outreach Specialist, Ocean County Soil Conservation District
  • Rick Bushnell ReClam the Bay

Committee Emeritus

  • Roger Locandro Rutgers University, Professor Emeritus
  • Jim Merritt Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center
  • Angela Andersen Long Beach Township, Sustainability Coordinator
  • Karen Byrne NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Aquatic Education Programs Coordinator
  • Kelly Scott, Island Beach State Park, Resource Interpretive Specialist
  • Christine Girtain  Director of Authentic Science Research, Toms River High School North & South
  • Chris Huch Christopher Huch –  Planner – Emergency Management and Community Resilience Services at Tetra Tech EM Inc
  • Martha Maxwell-Doyle Barnegat Bay Partnership, Project Coordinator
  • Rob Tunstead U.S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service, Major Land Resource Area Soil Office Leader

Origin of the Student Grant Program

Stemming from his vision and passion for the conservation of Barnegat Bay, it was the late Paul “Pete” McLain who initialized this program in 2007. As someone committed to academic research, as well as a wildlife biologist and conservationist, he hoped students would dedicate their careers to better understand the bay and its ecosystem.

Save Barnegat Bay, in collaboration with its partners, aims to continue Pete’s vision by assisting students with their independent research each year. To support this goal, Save Barnegat Bay offers $1,000 to each accepted Team Project student and $1,500 to each accepted Independent Project student.

This program provides a hands-on learning opportunity for undergraduate students at accredited colleges and universities to conduct field research, report and present their findings, and contribute to the conservation of Barnegat Bay. Graduate students who are eligible can enhance their research experience with this field-work funding opportunity.

Over the last decade, Save Barnegat Bay and our partners have engaged 48 students in research opportunities, as well as provided $67,000 in funding for individual projects. Students have continued with their research at the graduate and PhD level, as well as furthered their careers in wildlife biology and ecological conservation. Students who have received funding through the program have also received senior thesis or independent project credit towards their degrees.

“There is a pressing need for more science-based management of Barnegat Bay before it is completely unfishable, unswimmable, and uninhabitable to marine life.” – (c)March 2007, Paul “Pete” McLain, Founder