Wildlife Talks

Creature of the Night: The Bats of New Jersey – Leah Wells

Our bat program “Creatures of the Night: the Bats of NJ” goes over general bat facts, benefits of bats, common myths & misconceptions, threats bats face, and our bat projects at CWF.

Bats often get a bad reputation of being spooky or even fearsome, but they are actually some of the most beneficial animals to people, and right now, bats need our help! Join Conserve Wildlife Foundation biologist Leah Wells in a presentation to learn about these amazing night flying creatures in your area, and what you can do to keep them around!

Bald Eagles: An All-American Recovery – Larissa Smith

The bald eagle population in New Jersey continues to soar largely due to the work of faithful volunteers and biologists from the NJ Endangered & Nongame Species Program and Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ.  Learn how the population rebound from one pair in the 1980’s to over 260 active pairs today and what is being done to continue monitoring and protecting New Jersey’s eagles.

Peregrine Falcons: Flying High in New Jersey – Ben Wurst

Peregrine falcons are well known for their beautiful plumage and swift dives to catch prey. Many are not aware that they were once extirpated from New Jersey and critically endangered throughout the United States. They were one of several top tier predatory birds who were devastated from the effects of DDT. To help them recover, they were federally listed as endangered in 1970 and biologists began an innovative program to bring them back. Thanks to the efforts of these biologists, New Jersey is now home to around 40 nesting pairs of peregrines, who nest on the cliffs of the Palisades, buildings and bridges in cities, and former “hacking” towers. They are a symbol of America’s recovering rare species. Join Ben Wurst, CWF Senior Wildlife Biologist, who has worked in partnership with NJ Fish & Wildlife for the past 15 years to monitor falcons in New Jersey, as he will discuss their life history, recovery and their current management.

New Jersey’s Fish Hawk: The Amazing Osprey – Ben Wurst

Did you know that in 1974 only 50 osprey nests were left in NJ? Today, ospreys are a common sight along the New Jersey shore during the summer. Join us to learn about the amazing life history of ospreys, current monitoring techniques, and their amazing comeback. Ben Wurst, Senior Wildlife Biologist with Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ will share his experience from working to manage this amazing species over the past 20 years.

Horseshoe Island – A New Island for Birds Emerges Along the New Jersey Coast – Todd Pover

In a state where undisturbed habitat for our at-risk wildlife is hard to find, a new island that recently formed off New Jersey’s coast provides a haven for nesting and migratory shorebirds. Todd Pover, Senior Wildlife Biologist at the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey will share the story of the formation of the island, how various bird species have used this new site, and what is being done to protect the species when they are there. He will also touch on the status of beach nesting birds in the state and region.

Barnegat Light Habitat Restoration for Beach Nesting Birds – Todd Pover

Join Todd Pover, Senior Wildlife Biologist at Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, to learn about efforts to restore breeding habitat for piping plovers and other endangered shorebirds in the shadow of New Jersey’s iconic Barnegat Light. The project, which has become a model for habitat restoration, was completed in 2020 and continues to reap benefits for beach nesting birds. Todd will also touch on the status of beach nesting birds in the state and region.

Beach Nesting Birds: The Birds of Summer – Todd Pover

Beach nesting birds, including piping plovers, least terns, and black skimmers are some of the most at-risk species in our state. These birds nesting on New Jersey’s busy beaches would likely not survive without intensive monitoring and management. Todd Pover, Senior Wildlife Biologist at Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey will discuss efforts to protect these birds, how they are faring, and what you can do to help.

The Incredible Journey of the Piping Plover – Todd Pover

Join Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey’s Senior Wildlife Biologist Todd Pover to explore the life and behavior of the piping plover, an endangered shorebird. Todd will discuss ongoing protection and breeding trends on the beaches of New Jersey, including new developments. He will also draw on personal experiences and survey efforts in the Bahamas, where the largest concentration of piping plovers overwinters.

Monitoring American Oystercatchers on the Delaware Bay – Emmy Casper

Breeding populations of American oystercatchers have been heavily monitored on New Jersey’s ocean beaches since 2003, but little is known about the oystercatchers nesting along the state’s Delaware Bay beaches…until now. Learn how biologists from Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, The Wetlands Institute, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are working together on a new project to unravel the mysteries of this previously understudied population. Wildlife Biologist Emmy Casper will share stories from the field and discuss how on-the-ground monitoring, trail cameras, and bird banding are all being used to learn more about the oystercatchers that call the Delaware Bayshore home.

Terrapins and Tires: Community Based Conservation of Terrapins – Ben Wurst

Northern diamondback terrapins are a unique, coast hugging turtle that lives exclusively in brackish water. Each year, females exit the protection of their aquatic habitat to seek out suitable areas to lay eggs and help ensure their species lives on. Since 2010, CWF has been engaged in the conservation of terrapins within Barnegat and Great Bay watersheds by recruiting volunteers to help conduct surveys and patrols to reduce roadkills of adult females. Join CWF Senior Wildlife Biologist, Ben Wurst as he discusses the amazing life history of terrapins and conservation efforts to help ensure the survival of this species in a changing world.