Field Report: MRRI Surface Elevation Table (SET) Measurements

L – MRRI Senior Environmental Scientist Joe Grzyb steadies himself on an aluminum plank as intern Reece Sit looks on. R – Joe prepares to take Surface Elevation Table Measurements

Joe Grzyb, an NJSEA Meadowlands Research and Restoration Institute (MRRI) Senior Environmental Scientist, was conducting Surface Elevation Table (SET) measurements at the Riverside Marsh in Lyndhurst with help from the department’s interns. Each September and continuing through mid-December, Joe and the year’s interns use a rod surface-elevation table instrument to determine how wetlands in the Meadowlands District keep pace with sea level rise. MRRI began tracking sediment elevation in 2008.

Joe steadied his footing on an aluminum plank as reeds whipped around him on a blustery, late September morning. Reece Sit helped assemble the SET instrument. Joe carefully but firmly inserted pins from a metal measuring device into a pipe receiver protruding from the marsh surface and called out measurements in millimeters. Lily Day recorded the numbers in a small, yellow field book, repeating the figures for accuracy.

The receiver is a vital element of long-term marsh elevation monitoring, serving as an unchanging reference elevation. This receiver is meticulously anchored at a depth of 20 feet or more within the ancient clay deposits of the former Lake Hackensack, a geological formation stemming from the last glacial period. This deep, stable anchoring keeps the receiver’s elevation constant, providing an unvarying baseline for comparative measurements over time.

Into The Marsh

The SET monitoring program is critical. Marshes have many significant environmental benefits that would be lost if they were inundated by rising water levels. They provide protection from storms by acting like large sponges that absorb rainwater. Wetlands also trap pollutants, prevent erosion and provide wildlife habitat, to name just a few additional benefits.

Joe said that large storms and runoff from urban areas in the Meadowlands add more sediment to the marsh system, which helps build up the wetlands. The measurements at Lyndhurst Riverside showed surface elevation had increased by 4.59 millimeters over the past year. Analysis of current elevation data indicates a varied response across Lyndhurst Riverside. While some areas are exhibiting elevations that exceed the rate of sea-level rise, others are not. This mixed response suggests that, so far, the overall elevations are keeping pace with sea-level rise.

Riverside is one of nine Meadowlands marshes where MRRI carries out SET measurements. Readings are taken at 108 points within each marsh. The vegetation at some sites is so dense that Joe, Lily and Reece make preliminary visits to stomp out and clear paths to data collection spots. They gather information at one marsh per week, spending approximately two hours on the project. Joe then inputs the data into spreadsheets for analysis.

Joe confers with Lily

Information gathered at other sites last month, including two in Secaucus, showed wetlands elevations increasing by more than 5 millimeters. According to NOAA and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the current observed rate of sea-level rise in northern New Jersey is approximately 4 millimeters to 5 millimeters per year.

A final report mapping all sites will be submitted to the New Jersey Tidal Wetland Monitoring Network in January.

Joe said that, overall, Meadowlands District marsh elevations are in a good position to track with sea level rise.

Kearny High School S.A.V.E. Club Inspires Next Generation of Environmental Stewards

Kearny High School S.A.V.E. Club at the Meadowlands Birding Festival

The NJSEA was pleased to welcome the Kearny High School S.A.V.E. Club to the Meadowlands Birding Festival on Sunday, Oct. 4. Students gave out copies of the club’s Endangered Species Activity Book created last year. S.A.V.E. is an acronym for Students Against A Vanishing Earth.

The impressive guide is filled with engaging facts and plenty of activities to support the club’s goal of educating the next generation about endangered species in New Jersey. Young people can learn about and color an array of wildlife species, including turtles, raptors, reptiles, butterflies and bats. A nature word search and crossword puzzle, and tips on simple ways kids can help the environment are also featured.

“We wanted to give kids ideas for things they can do to help the environment,” said senior Layla Luciano, the illustrator of the activity book. “We wanted to make the book fun and useful.”

“I’ve always admired animals in nature,” added fellow senior Sebastian Roa. “I’m also very interested in history. Those are the major reasons why I joined the S.A.V.E. Club. I want to help the community and preserve the Earth.”

The club currently consists of 23 students. Over the past two years, students ran a plastics recycling drive, collecting more than 2,000 pounds of plastic films and bags. This year they have expanded their reach and are collecting all types of household batteries through the Recycle My Battery Program.

“We’re sharing what we do with the next generation to inspire them about endangered species. We want people to help the environment at a younger age,” said S.A.V.E. Club member Manuel Paz, a senior. His brother, freshman Lucas Paz, added that “it’s important to share how to conserve and how conservation helps protect species.”

Club Advisor Krystina McGee said she is proud of the initiative the students take in bringing their message of environmental stewardship to fellow students and the public. “They are very dedicated,” Ms. McGee said. “They meet twice a week after school for almost two hours.

“They’re very eager and love to teach,” she said. When I raise an idea, their reaction is, ‘Let’s do it!’ For instance, she recently learned that Haven in the Woods, a wildlife rehabilitation center and sanctuary in New Jersey, needed acorns for a variety of young animals in their care, including raccoons and squirrels. S.A.V.E. club students promptly collected over 20 bags of acorns in the first week of the initiative.

“They are great kids who are making a difference,” Ms. McGee said.

Kudos to the Kearny High School S.A.V.E. Club!

Meadowlands Birding Festival Recap

The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority would like to extend its thanks to everyone who attended the Meadowlands Birding Festival at Richard W. DeKorte Park and the Meadowlands Environment Center in Lyndhurst yesterday! Approximately 300 visitors took guided walks, saw live raptor shows, listened to talks, perused information tables and participated in other activities.

We also thank our partners at the Bergen County Audubon Society whose tremendous hard work greatly contributed to the event’s success!

Bird banding demonstration – Credit James Falletti

Bird banding demonstration – Credit James Falletti

NJSEA guides lead a morning bird walk – Credit Alon Feder

Bird walkers on the Marsh Discovery Trail – Credit Alon Feder

Eastern Screech Owl – Credit Alon Feder

Josephine the Great Horned Owl – Credit NJSEA

Tilly the Eastern Screech Owl – Credit NJSEA

Credit NJSEA

Credit NJSEA

Bergen County Audubon Society President Don Torino – Credit Alon Feder

Kearny High School S.A.V.E. Club – Credit NJSEA

Speaker James Falletti – Credit Matthew Malwitz

Credit NJSEA

Credit NJSEA

Credit NJSEA

Credit NJSEA

Credit NJSEA

Credit NJSEA

Meadowlands Birding Festival This Sunday (Oct. 4) – Rain or Shine!

The Meadowlands Birding Festival is this Sunday, Oct. 4, rain or shine. The event is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a special bird banding demonstration at 7 a.m. (weather permitting). The festival is at Richard W. DeKorte Park and the Meadowlands Environment Center in Lyndhurst.

There will be guided bird walks (weather permitting), talks, live raptor shows, kids’ activities, information tables, music and more throughout the day.

DeKorte Park is located at 2 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst, NJ.

For more information:
NJSEA – info@njsea.com or 201-460-1700
Bergen County Audubon Society – Don Torino – greatauk4@gmail.com or 201-230-4983



Don Torino’s The Nature Connection Airs This Sunday (Sept. 27) on WFDU 89.1 FM

Bergen County Audubon Society President Don Torino welcomes fellow BCAS members Marie Longo and Tammy Laverty to the latest episode of The Nature Connection radio show, airing this Sunday (Sept. 27) from 6:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. on WFDU 89.1 FM.

Don, Marie and Tammy will discuss how to prepare your backyard wildlife habitats for the fall and winter season and why it’s so important to make your surroundings wildlife-friendly, especially during these tough seasons.

Marie, among her many BCAS duties, is in charge of the BCAS Certified Wildlife Garden Program. Tammy is a master gardener and head volunteer coordinator at the BCAS Butterfly Garden in Overpeck County Park in Leonia.

The Nature Connection airs on the fourth Sunday of each month from 6:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. on WFDU 89.1 FM. Past episodes of The Nature Connection can be heard at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nature-connection/id6795559600

Goldenrod and Asters are important fall flowers for wildlife. Credit – Tammy Laverty