BRIDGETON -- The American Littoral Society has announced the grand opening of its new facility at 4 W. Commerce St. in Bridgeton from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday.
The public is invited to meet society members and staff and to learn about
the organization's efforts to safeguard quality of life in the Bayshore's
outstanding, but vulnerable natural resources.
There will be a touch-tank for children and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7 p.m. with Bridgeton Mayor Michael A. Pirolli doing the honors.
"The American Littoral Society recognizes the Delaware Bay as one of New Jersey's most valuable natural resources. Our years of experience have taught us that we must protect the land to protect the sea," said Tim Dillingham, executive director of the American Littoral Society.
"Being on the ground here in Bridgeton will increase our effectiveness at protecting the Bayshore."
Matt Blake, the society's conservation coordinator and manager of the Bridgeton office stated, "We are heavily involved in empowering municipal officials, concerned citizens and grass-roots organizations to use the tools and techniques available to manage growth and protect our valuable natural resources.
As we become more established here in South Jersey, we'll expand our offering to include activities that will engage the public and focus attention on the natural wonders of this region including eco-tours, educational programs and habitat restoration."
Although the Bridgeton office represents the American Littoral Society's first brick-and-mortar facility on the Bayshore, the organization has long been active in the area, fighting against pollution of the Delaware River and Delaware Bay and leading efforts to protect the endangered horseshoe crabs and red knot birds.
In 2005, it completed a project with Rutgers University that mapped the entire Delaware Bayshore to identify and prioritize critical horseshoe crab spawning habitat.
This data will be used by the society and made available to other environmental groups to restore horseshoe crab habitat.
After working for many years to secure the passage of the Transfer of Development Rights Act (TDR), the society has worked with municipal, county, and state officials and citizens in Cumberland and Salem counties to de-mystify TDR, Green Acres, and other land preservation programs designed to focus growth where it makes most sense and to steer growth away from environmentally sensitive areas.
Currently, the society's affiliate organization, the Delaware Riverkeeper, is leading the fight against the proposed dumping of the nerve gas agent VX waste into the Delaware River.
