For almost 55 years, Save Barnegat Bay has been at the forefront of efforts to protect and improve the health of Barnegat Bay.
To help municipalities and communities navigate in the right direction, we’ve developed a comprehensive educational program called Charting A Course for Barnegat Bay. Our goal is to facilitate meaningful discussions about how we can all make a positive impact on our natural spaces—especially Barnegat Bay. Whether you’re a municipal official, town planner, engineer, developer, public worker, boater, fisherman, clammer, student, or concerned community member, there’s a seat at our table for you.
Take a moment to explore resources from past Charting A Course conferences and workshops, and stay tuned for updates on upcoming events!
Charting a Course Series: Upcoming Conferences & Workshops
Charting a Course for Barnegat Bay
Cleaner Water, Stronger Communities
☘️ St. Patrick’s Day – Tuesday, March 17th
1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES)
It’s Not Easy Being Green! ☘️
Save Barnegat Bay is proud to partner with MATES for a special & Spring Workshop celebrating 25 years of environmental leadership!
Thanks to our supporters, this workshop is completely free for all to attend — because informed communities make stronger decisions for a better and healthier Barnegat Bay.
We’re excited to bring together municipal leaders, educators, students, advocates, and regional partners to explore how local action can create measurable improvements for our Bay. Topics covered will include:
✔ Practical municipal tools
✔ Habitat & species updates
✔ Working waterfront solutions
✔ Regional resilience planning
✔ Networking with change-makers
Join us for an inspiring afternoon of strategy, collaboration, and action.
☘️ Check out the details below and RSVP today!
Charting A Course Spring Workshop Schedule
1:00 PM – Check-In & MATES Tour
Reconnect with colleagues, and tour the newly expanded MATES facility. Meet students, SBB staff, and regional partners who are shaping the future of the Bay.
1:30 PM – Welcome & Opening Remarks
Opening remarks from Britta Forsberg, Executive Director of SBB and Alison L. Carroll, Principal of MATES. We’ll frame the urgency, outline the goals for the day, and set the tone for collaboration.
2:00 PM – The Nitrogen Mandate: What TMDLs Mean for Every Barnegat Bay Community
Nitrogen Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) are coming to the Barnegat Bay watershed — and they will influence municipal planning, stormwater systems, infrastructure investments, and land use decisions across our region. Hear directly from NJDEP representatives working on implementation and learn:
- What the new limits require
- How municipalities will be affected
- How proactive planning can shape better outcomes
This is where preparation begins.
3:00 PM – 5:00PM Breakout Sessions
Track A: Planning for Impact — Municipal Tools That Shape the Bay
- Land Use & Master Plans
- Watershed Improvement Plans
With nitrogen limits as the backdrop, these sessions explore how municipalities can embed water quality protection into planning documents, redevelopment strategies, and capital improvement programs.
Track B: Guardians of the Bay — Protecting Habitat & Iconic Species
- Terrapin Protection & Nesting
- Osprey Health & Monitoring
Healthy species depend on healthy water. This session connects policy decisions to real ecological outcomes — from nesting beaches to osprey platforms.
Track C: The Working Bay — Solutions for a Cleaner, More Resilient Coast
- Oyster Farming: Benefits & Challenges
- Marine Debris & Cleanup Solutions
Explore how industry, stewardship, and community action intersect to strengthen both our coastal economy and our ecosystem.
5:15 PM – Irish-Style Dinner ☘️
Corned Beef Sandwiches and Festive Sides will be served.
*Please indicate dietary restrictions when registering.
5:30 PM – Dinner Panel: Building the Future Bay: A Regional Sediment Management Plan
If nitrogen reduction improves water quality, sediment management strengthens physical resilience. This closing panel explores what a coordinated Barnegat Bay Regional Sediment Management Plan could look like — aligning:
- Dredging strategy
- Beneficial reuse of sediment
- Marsh restoration
- Flood protection
- & Multi-municipal coordination
You will also learn how we can:
Restore degrading marshes
Use dredge material strategically
Protect communities from flooding
Coordinate regionally rather than town-by-town!
