'Floating Islands' Launched By Mahwah Students To Fight Climate Change

MAHWAH, NJ — Students at Ramapo College of New Jersey in Mahwah and dozens of Ridgefield Park middle-schoolers launched "artificial floating islands" this summer in the waters at the Meadowlands Environment Center in Lyndhurst, as part of a project to research climate change, the college said.

Artificial floating islands create "mini-ecosystems" on the water, and are recognized as a tool for habitat restoration, water purification and landscape improvement.

Ramapo student interns created a prototype, tested it and made modifications in advance of the first session with middle school students in early July, and then worked with them to create their own floating islands.

These floating wetlands can help reduce algae by cycling excessive nutrients (phosphorous and nitrogen) that cause harmful algal blooms, when combined with sunlight and warm temperatures fueled by climate change.

Ramapo students were afforded the opportunity to study at the Meadowlands Environment Center and New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority Parks Department through a private grant for climate change action. Ridgefield Park middle schoolers joined the students as part of a summer youth camp offered by the village's school board.

Grant manager Angela Cristini, also a Ramapo College biology professor, said, "The next generation of environmental scientists and educators had hands-on, real world learning experiences that will make a difference."

“The Artificial Floating Islands project is an excellent example of how the MEC engages students in subjects that align with significant current events such as climate change and sea level rise," Vincent Prieto, President and CEO of the NJSEA, said.