Science Saturday: OS/PREY

Ben Wurst, senior wildlife biologist with Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, will explore the intertwined histories of ospreys and Atlantic menhaden — two species that have experienced cycles of abundance and decline along the Atlantic coast. This presentation will highlight the life cycle and ecological importance of Atlantic menhaden, a forage fish often called “the most important fish in the sea,” and the osprey, a fish-eating raptor widely recognized as a key bioindicator species. Together, these species offer valuable insights into the health of coastal ecosystems and the environmental changes shaping our marine and estuarine waters.

photo by Scott McConnell. June 2025. LBI