The “Earth Day, Every Day” webinar series, produced by Rutgers Cooperative Extension, concluded on June 3. This popular series focused on the role that natural elements (air, earth, fire, water, spirit, and wildlife) play in natural resource management and what the public can do to help. The series included newsworthy topics, including offshore wind development, black bears, urban humpback whales, soil health, and the role of fire role in ecosystem health.
Participants were given the opportunity to connect directly with subject-matter experts, who provided a wealth of science-based knowledge. Free recordings of these sessions are available.
For the water element, Jason Adolf and Erin Conlon from Monmouth University, dove into the ocean realm, addressing concerns about potential impacts on the marine ecosystem as offshore wind development continues off the New Jersey coast. The presenters described how environmental DNA (eDNA) provides a non-extractive method of monitoring fish community composition that can be done by community scientists and professionals alike.
For the air element, Kris Ohleth, Director of the Special Initiative on Offshore Wind, further discussed New Jersey’s offshore wind energy initiatives. The offshore wind industry started approximately 30 years ago in Europe and is rapidly developing in the United States, including off the coast of New Jersey.
For the wildlife element, Joseph Paulin of Rutgers detailed how over the past 30 years, people have more regularly interacted with black bears in New Jersey. He also explained how direct personal experiences with bears can influence public tolerance and support for their management.
For the fire element, Jeremy Webber with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service explored how prescribed fire not only aids in protecting life and property from catastrophic wildfire, but also how it supports ecosystem health. Prescribed fire, used appropriately, can benefit habitats for both flora and fauna, while also supporting hazardous fuel and invasive plant species mitigation efforts.
For the earth element, William Errickson discussed soil health and soil’s continued capacity to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans. Maintaining soil health is an essential component of a productive and thriving garden that is more resistant to disease and abiotic stress.
For the spirit element, Danielle Brown, Rutgers Graduate Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources and Director of Marine Mammal Research for Gotham Whale, discussed how the Humpback whales have become an exciting part of the coastal ecosystem in NJ and NY. Viewers learned about humpback whale ecology over the last decade, and how we can best coexist with whales in our region.
Previous Earth Day, Every Day recordings can be explored by topic on the website, including those on climate change, food waste, renewable energy, and ticks and Lyme disease.
This webinar series is a collaboration between two Extension programs, Earth Day, Every Day (E2D2) and the Marine Extension Program Seminar Series (MEPSS).