Introduction
The “Nacote Creek” Marine Science and Environmental Field Station has entered its 15th year of academic service to the College. The facility provides course and research support to NAMS faculty and students in the Marine Science, Biology, Environmental Studies, Chemistry and General Studies programs. The facility also houses the Coastal Research Center (CRC) and provides considerable support to their grant and contract-funded research projects.
Program Support
 The Marine Science and Environmental Field Station provides the facilities, research vessels, sampling equipment, and staff to ensure Stockton students hands-on learning experiences in a marine environment second to none. Our location within the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve (JC NERR) provides faculty and students an opportunity to study in one of the most pristine marine environments in the Northeast United States
Research Activities
A major objective of the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Division (NAMS) is to involve undergraduate students in faculty and staff - led research. At the Marine Science and Environmental Field Station associated faculty and staff continue to focus on providing unique marine-related research opportunities through faculty-led independent studies projects, research contracts and grants. Highlights of this past year’s research include estuarine water and weather data collection, American eel ingress, oyster restoration in the Mullica River, sediment chemistry of Great Bay and monitoring of one of the Mid-Atlantic’s largest wintering populations of Harbor Seals. Data that may be of interest to the public is being made available via the Field Station website.
Partnerships, Grants and Contracts
The Field Station maintains beneficial partnerships with regional agencies and institution’s through cooperative agreements, research contracts and grants. In 2006-2007 NAMS faculty and staff working out of the Field Station continued or developed agreements with numerous agencies and institutions, including; Stockton's Coastal Research Center, Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve (JC NERR), NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife (NJDFW), Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC), Mordecai Island Land Trust (MLT), NJ Marine Educator's Association, the Noyes Museaum, and Marine Academy of Science & Technology (MAST). Each of these partnerships benefit the faculty and students of Stockton’s science programs by exposing researchers and students to field-related work being conducted by similar agencies in the region.
Outreach Programs & Community Services
The Field Station and its staff have become the primary providers of NAMS outreach activities in the areas of marine and environmental science public education. Under the direction of the Field Station Manager, Steve Evert, associated staff, faculty and students have attended several venues to provide basic marine and environmental science education to their visitors. At each of these events staff and faculty also promote the College’s science programs, specifically the marine, environmental studies and biology programs. In 2006-2007 these events reached over 5,000 visitors and helped to fulfill the College’s role as a community service leader in the area of marine and environmental education in New Jersey.
Tours and Visiting Groups
Each year the Marine Science and Environmental Field Station hosts a variety of visitors, from special academic programs such as the Governor’s School on the Environment to middle school and high school classes interested in our science programs or contracting our educational services for a day of field work. During the 2006-2007 AY several groups visited, including the Governor's School, Collingswood Middle School Honors Biology Class, The M.A.T.E.S program, and others.
Facilities and Research Vessels
The NAMS Division remains committed to the improvement and further development of the Field Station and its research vessel (R/V) fleet. Improvements over the past 10 years have focused on space efficiency and R/V maintenance. Building space has been optimized and the life expectancy of original research vessels extended. The Field Station is now focusing on the need for additional teaching and research space, office space for the Coastal Research Center and a R/V replacement. Facility repairs and added space needs are being addressed through the Nacote Creek Rehabilitation and Upgrade Project. A new research vessel is expected in early 2008. The vessel, a 27' Chesapeake style work boat, is being built by Carman Boats, Inc. of Marion Station, MD.
Summary
Over the past academic year, the Field Station and NAMS Laboratory Staff have remained dedicated to providing Stockton students with the unique field and laboratory experiences that set our science programs apart from others. Highlights of the year include increased Program use, continued funded and non-funded student research opportunities, new partnerships with the NJMEA and Noyes Museum, the movement forward of the Nacote Creek Rehabilitation and Upgrade Project and the award for construction of a new research vessel.
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 Marine Field Station website |
