'Ocean Fun Days' Slated For Island Beach State Park This Weekend

Visitors to Island Beach State Park will have a chance to watch young diamondback turtles released into their natural habitat on Saturday, May 20, when the park holds its "Ocean Fun Day.".AleeIsland

You can also learn how to seine, take part in a scavenger hunt and youth fishing clinics, nature tours and a number of other coastal-related activities.

This year's free 14th annual Ocean Fun Days are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Island Beach State Park's Ocean Bathing Area 1, which is about four miles past the park's gatehouse.

The diamondback terrapin release is new this year at Island Beach State Park.

"Ocean Fun Day is a great way to teach visitors about the critical, yet fragile coastal ecosystems along the unspoiled barrier island that is Island Beach State Park," said Mark Texel, the state Department of Environmental Protection's director of parks and forestry. "The planned activities will show why Island Beach is a unique classroom to learn how ocean dynamics create barrier islands, and how the plants and animals here have adapted and thrived.

The turtle release will be done by students and faculty from Project Terrapin and the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES). You can also learn how to build a better sand castle by understanding the science behind cohesion, adhesion and surface tension.

"Ocean Fun Days have become a wonderful tradition for New Jersey's families and visitors, and that is due to strong partnerships," said Claire Antonucci, Executive Director of the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium. "This year, we are delighted to partner with the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES) to add a new activity to Ocean Fun Days with students and faculty from MATES Project Terrapin inviting the public to join them to release young diamondback turtles back into their natural habitat."

Island Beach State Park is one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier beaches on the north Atlantic coast. With approximately 3,000 acres of beaches, dunes, maritime forests, freshwater wetlands and tidal marshes, the park is home to the state's largest osprey colony, as well as peregrine falcons, wading birds, shorebirds, waterfowl and songbirds.

The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium is an affiliation of colleges, universities and other groups dedicated to advancing knowledge and stewardship of New Jersey's marine and coastal environment through innovative research, education and outreach programs. To learn more about the consortium or Ocean Fun Days, call (732) 872-1300, Ext. 19 or visit: www.njseagrant.org

For more information about Island Beach State Park, visit: http://www.islandbeachnj.org/ or find the park's Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/islandbeachstatepark/

Image: Friends of Island Beach State Park