Sandy Hook Seal Spotting, Water Ceremony Planned By Waterspirit

RUMSON, NJ — Waterspirit, the eco-spiritual nonprofit based in Rumson, has a busy - and beautiful - Saturday coming up.

First, you can Join Waterspirit’s program manager, Anne Price, as she monitors the many species of seals at Sandy Hook. The seals feed and then "haul out" to rest and digest, the organization says.

Save Coastal Wildlife has been recruiting and training volunteers to monitor these seasonal populations, and Price is a trained volunteer.

According to Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, true seals (not sea lions) traverse the New Jersey coastline between the months of November through April. The most abundant is the harbor seal, followed by the larger gray seal, the harp seal, and the least common, the hooded seal.

Those who attend can watch the seals and record data to report. While there, Price will discuss other area wildlife.

Registration is required for this free event, taking place from 1 to 4 p.m., Feb, 24. Sandy Hook Parking Area D is at 100 Hartshorne Drive, Highlands, 07732. See this map. Meet up near the restrooms in parking area D.

Remember your binoculars, spotting scope and camera. Dress for the weather. There is no protection from the elements.

In the U.S., all marine mammals, including seals, are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Whether with Waterspirit or on your own, view and photograph seals from a distance of at least a 150 feet away (half a football field). Do not bring pets to this event.

Later on Saturday, from 5:30 to 6 p.m., Waterspirit will have a Water Ceremony to mark its 26 years of working to protect waters.

Meet at Sandy Hook South Beach Parking Area C, Hartshorne Drive, Highlands 07732.

The ceremony will include poetry readings, a candle-lit labyrinth on the sand and watching the full moon rise.

This is a fair-weather event. All registered participants will be notified via email if the event needs to be cancelled.

Visit the Waterspirit events tab on its website to register for either or both. The events are free but registration is required.