Tag: 2025

Harrison is thrilled to join the CWF team as the newest staff biologist and contribute to the plethora of wildlife work being done, including wildlife monitoring at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in partnership with United States Fish and Wildlife Service New Jersey Field Office, bird surveys, rare turtle research, and other wildlife projects.

A lifelong resident of South Jersey, Harrison has always been drawn to the coast and the natural wonders of the area, inspiring him to eventually pursue a bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology from the University of Rhode Island. There he became a certified rescue and scientific diver, studying coral reefs firsthand in Bermuda. However, his career path unexpectedly shifted to wildlife biology after taking a field ornithology class, where his excitement and passion for birds and wildlife biology bloomed. 

After graduating, Harrison pursued a variety of bird related seasonal work, starting as an intern at the Wetlands Institute, being involved in their coastal bird research program and conducting his own project investigating nest success and parameters of Saltmarsh and Seaside Sparrows. From there he worked as a Research Technician for Cellular Tracking Technologies, a wildlife telemetry company, and as a spring migration counter for the Cape May Bird Observatory. Harrison hit the road to Idaho afterwards to survey a threatened population of Yellow-billed Cuckoo as well as migratory shorebirds before joining CWF the next field season as a technician on the Delaware Bay American Oystercatcher Project. 

A self proclaimed “bird nerd,” Harrison spends time outside of work birding and learning more about the world of birds. When he’s not in the field, Harrison enjoys getting in the water to surf, SCUBA, swim, or take a leisurely paddle. On more relaxed days he enjoys going to gym, cooking tasty food, and hunting for great restaurants and breweries. 

Two adorable fluffy chicks have hatched live on the Duke Farms Eagle Cam. There is a pip in the third egg, so the third chick should hatch very soon. Thanks to Duke Farms and staff who host, fund and maintain this cam. The cam is new for the 2025 season and now has audio which allows you to hear the chicks peeping and adults calling. The clarity of the new cam is top notch.

Continue reading “Two chicks hatch live on the Duke Farms Eagle Cam”

Continue reading “Red Banded Osprey from Long Beach Island Rescued in Trinidad!”

This marked my second year attending the Northeast Bat Working Group’s (NEBWG) annual meeting, a highly regarded 3-day event that convenes researchers, biologists, and educators to address the challenges bats face across North America. As in previous years, the meeting proved to be both inspiring and thought-provoking.

Discussions centered on the primary threats to bat populations, including white-nose syndrome, habitat loss, climate change, and collisions with infrastructure such as wind turbines. Attendees presented their research, proposed innovative solutions, and collaborated on strategies to mitigate these pressing issues. Sessions covered a diverse array of topics, from advancements in bat rehabilitation techniques to improved methods for monitoring populations and assessing the impacts of climate change.

Continue reading “Insights from the Northeast Bat Working Group’s Annual Meeting”

Earlier this month, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) announced significant changes to the state’s Endangered and Threatened Species List. These updates reflect both encouraging conservation successes and ongoing challenges for our state’s diverse wildlife.

A Conservation Milestone

In a landmark decision, the bald eagle and osprey have been removed from New Jersey’s endangered species list. This remarkable achievement is the result of decades of dedicated conservation efforts and collaboration between government agencies, environmental organizations like Conserve Wildlife Foundation, and the public. The recovery of these iconic birds demonstrates the power of focused conservation initiatives and habitat protection.

The bald eagle, once on the brink of extinction due to DDT use and habitat loss, has made an incredible comeback in New Jersey. From a single nesting pair in the 1970s, the state now boasts 293 nesting pairs. Similarly, ospreys have rebounded from just 50 nests in the 1970s to more than 800 today.

These success stories highlight the effectiveness of long-term conservation strategies, including habitat restoration, nest protection, and public education. They serve as inspiration for future conservation efforts and remind us of the positive impact we can have when we work together to protect our natural heritage.

Continue reading “New Jersey’s Wildlife: Celebrating Successes, Facing New Challenges”

Join CWF Staff for this virtual information session about the Species on the Edge 2.0 Conservation Challenge. This is where you can ask questions to biologists who work with rare wildlife in New Jersey before registering your team and to help develop your project.

Scan the QR code above or use this link to register for the virtual information session on March 6 at 4:00pm, which will be recorded for those who can’t attend and posted to our YouTube channel afterwards.