July 29, 2016
The piping plover is a shore-loving bird that delights beach-goers of all ages. Although it is on the threatened species list nationally, the piping plover is endangered in the state of New Jersey. Christina Davis, piping plover expert and environmental specialist in the Endangered and Nongame Species Program within DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, joins Bob Bostock to discuss this little bird and its life at the Jersey Shore.
For more information on the piping plover, please visit: http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/ensp/beachnester_info.htm and http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/ensp/pdf/end-thrtened/plover.pdf.
July 22, 2016
The clinging jellyfish, an invasive species native to the Pacific Ocean, has made an appearance in New Jersey for the first time ever this summer. Although this dime-sized creature has only been found in limited numbers in two rivers, it is important to be informed about its potential effects on New Jersey’s ecosystems as well as its powerful sting. Joe Bilinski, a research scientist at DEP, joined Bob Bostock to discuss the clinging jellyfish and the measures DEP is taking to learn more about this unwelcome visitor to our state.
For more information on the clinging jellyfish, please visit: http://www.nj.gov/dep/docs/clinging-jellyfish.pdf and http://njdep.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=b675e280405540a1b212d63be734345b.
July 15, 2016
The New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust (NJEIT) provides low-cost financing for the construction of environmental infrastructure projects that enhance and protect ground and surface water resources to ensure the safety of drinking water and to facilitate responsible, sustainable economic development. NJEIT was the first program of its kind in the country. David Zimmer, Executive Director of NJEIT, came in to discuss this innovative program with Bob Bostock.
For more information on the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust, visit: www.njeit.org.
July 8, 2016
In 1999, the Red Knot, a medium sized shorebird, was listed as a threatened species in New Jersey under the New Jersey Endangered Species Conservation Act. Dr. Amanda Dey, Principal Zoologist who works in the Endangered and Nongame Species program at DEP, sits down to talk with Bob Bostock about this bird’s important yearly stopover in the Delaware Bay during its migration to the Arctic, as well as actions that are being taken to help protect the Red Knot.
For more information on Red Knots, visit: http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/ensp/redknot.htm.
July 1, 2016
The Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive insect, poses a threat to New Jersey’s 24.7 million ash trees. This shiny green beetle can be hard to detect in the wild, but the damage it causes soon becomes all too obvious. This insect’s larvae can bore through the bark of ash trees, cutting off the flow of nutrients and eventually killing the trees. Rosa Yoo, Regional Forester, joins Bob Bostock to discuss the Emerald Ash Borer infestation, why residents should be concerned about this, and what they can do to combat this issue.
For more information on the Emerald Ash Borer, visit: www.emeraldashborer.nj.gov.
June 21, 2016
The Zika virus is fast becoming a growing concern for people around the world, and as summer approaches, New Jerseyans are becoming more conscious of the virus. The DEP and the NJ Department of Health have been coordinating through their #zapZika campaign to better inform the public on how they can help control the mosquito population and protect themselves against the virus. DEP Deputy Commissioner David Glass and DOH Deputy Commissioner Dr. Arturo Brito joined Bob Bostock to discuss the Zika virus and the preparations that their respective departments have made to protect New Jerseayns.
This episode can be found at: http://www.nj.gov/dep/podcast/
For more information on Zika, visit: http://www.nj.gov/dep/mosquito/docs/zika-fact-sheet.pdf
June 14, 2016
On June 14, we celebrate Flag Day as a way to honor our nation’s flag. To mark this day, Bob Bostock sits with Mark Stewart, Secretary of the Twin Lights Historical Society, to talk about Flag Day and the history of Twin Lights Historic Site. Twin Lights holds an important place in this country’s history as the location of the first official reading in 1893 of the Pledge of Allegiance. They also discuss “Seeing Stars,” a special exhibit about Old Glory and its history, which is in Twin Lights’ museum through the end of the year.
For more information: www.Twinlightslighthouse.com
http://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/historic/twin-lights/twin-lights-index.htm
June 10, 2016
The 2016 beach season is rapidly approaching, and DEP’s Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program (CCMP) is making sure that New Jersey’s recreational beaches are ready to be open to the public. In the 2015 beach season, ocean and bay beaches were open 99.9% of the time. New Jersey has consistently been a national leader in water quality, and beach monitoring helps to make sure that New Jersey maintains that same level of quality at our recreational beaches. Bob Bostock spoke to Virginia Loftin, who oversees the CCMP, to discuss water quality monitoring, coastal surveillance, and how the work of the CCMP positively affects the Jersey shore.
More information can be found at https://njbeaches.org/.
June 3, 2016
On June 4, New Jersey will be participating in the annual National Trails Day which is celebrated statewide and nationally. As an initiative of the American Hiking Society, National Trails Day was first celebrated in the United States in 1993 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the National Trails System Act. Bob Bostock sits with Brandee Chapman, State Trails Coordinator, to discuss the New Jersey Trails Program and National Trails Day.
More info: www.trails.nj.gov and www.americanhiking.org
