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
“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
“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
“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
“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
Alicia Calkins
Alicia is finishing up her term of service with NJ AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador Program, having served in her home county this past year. Alicia recently graduated this past May with her M.S. in Sustainability focused in Watershed Management at Lipscomb University, where she also received her B.S. in Sustainability, concentrated in conservation and ecology. Alicia is looking forward to this opportunity for research and field sampling in the Barnegat Bay to support our very important estuary ecosystems, the amazing ecosystem services they provide, and protecting human health. Alicia is passionate about learning and protecting biodiversity in our natural systems, habitat restoration and removing invasive, non-native species in key habitats like Cape May Point State Park, and being outside as much as possible, enjoying the beach, swimming, kayaking, and fishing. She hopes through these experiences and her college education to gain a full time position related to these fields in Cape May County or Southern New Jersey.
Victoria Farley
Victoria Farley is a rising freshman at Drexel University with a major in Health Sciences and a concentration in Pre-Physician Assistant Studies. Growing up in Ocean County and near Barnegat Bay, she developed an early interest in environmental protection and sustainability. Beyond her studies, she enjoys hiking, boxing, and running. As part of her internship with Save Barnegat Bay, Victoria hopes to enhance her environmental enthusiasm and awareness while gaining essential experience working with a non-profit organization.
Amy Johnson
Amy is majoring in environmental science at Kean University and is a former Save Barnegat Bay intern. She has passions for photography, travel, art and the planet. As a lifelong resident of Ocean County Amy is accustomed to coastal environments and is always looking to learn more about her surroundings. She is currently a member of the 2022 bay nettle water quality team under the Save Barnegat Bay student grant program and Amy’s dream career is to work for National Geographic as a photojournalist.
Past Student Grant Participants
Alaina Perdon
Alec Boss
Digital Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Alexandra Sellitsch
Alicia Calkins
Alaina Perdon
Alaina is a recent graduate of the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science, and will be working on the Sedge Island Marine Conservation Zone Biodiversity Study for the duration of the summer. Following the conclusion of the study, she will be attending Washington College in Maryland, where she will major in environmental studies.
Alec Boss
Digital Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Alec Boss is currently finishing his bachelor’s degree in communication studies with a minor in psychology at Kean University where he is poised to graduate summa cum laude in December of this year. Alec initially began his time with Save Barnegat Bay by designing a comprehensive public relations campaign for the organization as a part of his advanced PR course and soon interned with them on the Rally for Barnegat Bay initiative. Coming from a strong PR background, Alec has extensive experience in message management, community outreach, and communication theory, and has been using these skills to develop a well-rounded understanding of how to interact with various audiences. A Toms River resident his whole life, Alec has had a love of the bay and a passion for the environment for most of his life, and has been using his education and internship experience to further a career in environmental communication in Ocean county. Alec is beyond honored to be able to work for Save Barnegat Bay doing just that, by helping them in their mission as their new Digital Marketing and Communications Coordinator and is thrilled to help the organization grow and spread its message.
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.
Alicia Calkins
Alicia is finishing up her term of service with NJ AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador Program, having served in her home county this past year. Alicia recently graduated this past May with her M.S. in Sustainability focused in Watershed Management at Lipscomb University, where she also received her B.S. in Sustainability, concentrated in conservation and ecology. Alicia is looking forward to this opportunity for research and field sampling in the Barnegat Bay to support our very important estuary ecosystems, the amazing ecosystem services they provide, and protecting human health. Alicia is passionate about learning and protecting biodiversity in our natural systems, habitat restoration and removing invasive, non-native species in key habitats like Cape May Point State Park, and being outside as much as possible, enjoying the beach, swimming, kayaking, and fishing. She hopes through these experiences and her college education to gain a full time position related to these fields in Cape May County or Southern New Jersey.
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
