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Urban Coast Institute
@monmouthuci.bsky.social
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The Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute, supporting healthy coastal ecosystems and sustainable communities through the best available science and public policy. Visit us at https://www.monmouth.edu/uci
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monmouthuci.bsky.social
The UCI will serve as a member of this project team, helping to engage community members who are at risk to climate hazards. We look forward to working with Monmouth County and our other partners to plan for a more resilient Shark River Basin.
www.co.monmouth.nj.us/PressDetail....
Public Information - Press Release: Monmouth County awarded a Resilient NJ grant for Shark River Basin and the surrounding area
www.co.monmouth.nj.us
January 9, 2026 at 2:51 AM
monmouthuci.bsky.social
The UCI has awarded endowed scholarships to three new recipients and renewed support for four others for the 2025-26 school year. Congratulations to these outstanding #MonmouthUniversity students!
www.monmouth.edu/uci/2026/01/...
Seven Receive 2025-26 Urban Coast Institute Endowed Scholarships | Urban Coast Institute
Seven outstanding Monmouth University students have been awarded endowed scholarships for the 2025-26 school year from the Urban Coast Institute (UCI). Three received support for the first time beginn...
www.monmouth.edu
January 5, 2026 at 4:00 PM
monmouthuci.bsky.social
📢 NJ K-12 teachers 🍎 The #MonmouthU Climate Change Learning Collaborative has scheduled several PD sessions beginning in January. The MUCCLC aims to prep teachers to teach #climatechange in developmentally appropriate ways across all grade levels and subject areas.
www.monmouth.edu/school-of-ed...
Monmouth University Climate Change Learning Collaborative | School of Education
About Us The Monmouth University Climate Change Learning Collaborative (MU CCLC) was developed by Michelle Schpakow, Ed.D., Catherine Duckett, Ph.D., and Peter Jacques, Ph.D. in collaboration with Mon...
www.monmouth.edu
January 4, 2026 at 11:11 PM
monmouthuci.bsky.social
Wishing you an ocean of happiness this holiday season 🌊
An image of the UCI logo with text reading, "We wish you a happy holiday. 2005-2025'
December 24, 2025 at 4:38 PM
monmouthuci.bsky.social
In our December newsletter: What fish live in Monmouth County waters according to eDNA, an analysis of climate science denial arguments, oyster reef research at Naval Weapons Station Earle, and more. 🌊🧪
conta.cc/4j98geq
Urban Coast Institute December Newsletter
Email from Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute What fish eDNA tells us live in Monmouth County waters, analysis of climate science denial arguments, new funding for NWS Earle oyster reef, and mo
conta.cc
December 18, 2025 at 8:22 PM
monmouthuci.bsky.social
#MonmouthU Professor Peter Jacques recently completed a 12-year analysis of over 100 books rejecting #climatescience in an attempt to understand the roots and reasoning of the arguments.

#climate #climatechange
www.monmouth.edu/uci/2025/12/...
Study Provides Insights on the Nature of Climate Science Denial Arguments | Urban Coast Institute
If the vast majority of scientists believe that climate change is happening and human activities are the main driver, why do so many Americans doubt it? Monmouth University Professor Peter Jacques rec...
www.monmouth.edu
December 9, 2025 at 5:01 PM
monmouthuci.bsky.social
WRAT reports on a partnership between #MonmouthU researchers and community volunteers to explore fish populations along the county coast through eDNA sampling. 🌊🧪
wrat.com/2025/12/04/s...
Study Finds 68 Fish Species in Monmouth County Waters Using DNA Sampling
An Asbury Park beach showed the highest species count at 27. A beach near the Shark River Inlet in Belmar had 24.
wrat.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:57 PM
monmouthuci.bsky.social
The swirling gene pool that is Monmouth County’s ocean and estuarine waters was home to at least 68 species of fish this fall, according to an eDNA analysis conducted by the #MonmouthUniversity Urban Coast Institute in partnership with community volunteers. 🌊🧪
www.monmouth.edu/uci/2025/12/...
Community Scientists Set the Bar(code) for Future Fish Surveys in Monmouth County Waters | Urban Coast Institute
The swirling gene pool that is Monmouth County’s ocean and estuarine waters was home to at least 68 species of fish this fall. That was one of the findings of an analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) e...
www.monmouth.edu
December 2, 2025 at 3:25 PM
monmouthuci.bsky.social
The UCI has been awarded $991K from the NJDEP to expand and monitor its #oyster reef off the shore of Naval Weapons Station Earle. The grant will enable UCI and student researchers to add 600 oyster castles to the reef to enhance #resilience and create habitats.🦪🌊🧪
www.monmouth.edu/uci/2025/12/...
UCI Receives NJDEP Grant to Expand Naval Weapons Station Earle Oyster Reef | Urban Coast Institute
The Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute (UCI) has been awarded a $991,655 grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to expand and monitor its oyster reef installat...
www.monmouth.edu
December 1, 2025 at 8:52 PM
monmouthuci.bsky.social
We hope your day is stuffed with joy. Happy Thanksgiving from the Urban Coast Institute!
A turkey composed of shells, seaglass, and leaves.
November 26, 2025 at 3:15 PM
monmouthuci.bsky.social
#MonmouthU senior Siena Zisa recently interviewed Prof. Carlos Gaymer of the Center for Ecology and Sustainable Management of Oceanic Islands at the Universidad Católica del Norte for the #COP30 Virtual Ocean Pavilion.
www.monmouth.edu/uci/2025/11/...
Watch: Monmouth’s Siena Zisa Interviews Chilean Marine Biologist for COP30 Virtual Ocean Pavilion | Urban Coast Institute
Monmouth University senior Siena Zisa, a joint research assistant with the Urban Coast Institute (UCI) and Global Ocean Forum, interviewed Professor Carlos F. Gaymer, director of the Center for Ecolog...
www.monmouth.edu
November 24, 2025 at 8:17 PM
monmouthuci.bsky.social
Tomorrow at 11: Join the UCI's Jay Odell and @kvilacoba.bsky.social for a tour of the @marcoportal.bsky.social's #fishing maps. Come find out what's new and in the works: portal.midatlanticocean.org/calendar/nov...
A flyer reading: How Tuesday Webinar: Fishing Data Nov. 25 at 11 a.m. The Portal’s collection of nearly 2,000 maps showing commercial fishing activities and management areas has been reorganized with guidance from members of the region’s fishing industry. Join us Tuesday, Nov. 25, for a #HowTu lesson on navigating the changes and an overview of the various types of fishing map products on the Portal. Free and open to all! To Register: Scan QR or visit monmouth.edu/uci/how-tuesday
November 24, 2025 at 7:38 PM
monmouthuci.bsky.social
Although the winds and tides were not our friends, a UCI staff and student team made great progress working with municipal staff on the construction of an oyster reef at Clam Cove in Long Beach Township this week.
www.thesandpaper.net/articles/cla...
Clam Cove Restoration Project Underway in Holgate - The SandPaper
After years of research and planning, Long Beach Township’s Clam Cove Restoration Project is officially underway in Holgate. On Nov. 5, several municipal departments collaborated with Monmouth Univers...
www.thesandpaper.net
November 14, 2025 at 4:26 PM
monmouthuci.bsky.social
Community volunteers worked with Monmouth researchers this fall to collect eDNA samples from local beaches as part of a project designed to learn more about the marine organisms living along our coast. Join us Nov. 20 as we share the findings of that research.
www.monmouth.edu/uci/2025/11/...
Nov. 20 Meeting to Share Results of eDNA Sampling at Monmouth County Beaches | Urban Coast Institute
The Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute (UCI) will host a meeting on Nov. 20 to reveal the findings of a fall community science project designed to learn more about the marine organisms living a...
www.monmouth.edu
November 10, 2025 at 9:15 PM
monmouthuci.bsky.social
#MonmouthU Prof. Megan Delaney has joined the UCI as its ecopsychologist in residence. Delaney will deliver “Restore at the Shore” programming designed to help students reduce stress and revive attention through engagement with nature, including ocean environments.🌊🧪
www.monmouth.edu/uci/2025/10/...
UCI Ecopsychologist in Residence Delaney to Help Students ‘Restore at the Shore’ | Urban Coast Institute
Monmouth University Associate Professor Megan Delaney, Ph.D., LPC, has joined the Urban Coast Institute (UCI) as its ecopsychologist in residence. In this first-of-its-kind role, Delaney will deliver ...
www.monmouth.edu
October 31, 2025 at 7:11 PM
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#MonmouthUniversity researchers Keith Dunton and Kiernan Bates were observed and interviewed as they conducted tagging on a Cape May beach in this multimedia project about the rebound of #sharks along the Jersey Shore.
projects.nj.com/sharks/
NJ Sharks |
projects.nj.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:48 PM
monmouthuci.bsky.social
📩 In our October Newsletter: Videos available from Future of the Ocean Symposium, Tony MacDonald reflects on 20 years at the UCI, beach replenishment funding analysis, upcoming events and more.
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Urban Coast Institute October Newsletter
Email from Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute Videos from Future of the Ocean Symposium, UCI ecopsychologist in residence joins UCI, beach replenishment funding talk, upcoming events and more i
conta.cc
October 30, 2025 at 2:49 PM
monmouthuci.bsky.social
TOMORROW @ 6 P.M.: #MonmouthUniversity's Kislak Real Estate Institute presents the 2025 Stephen B. Siegel Lecture, "The Opportunities and Challenges of Sustainable Development Along New Jersey’s Coast," moderated by UCI Director Tony MacDonald.
www.monmouth.edu/kislak/the-s...
The Stephen B. Siegel Lecture Series 2025–2026 | Kislak Real Estate Institute
The Opportunities and Challenges of Sustainable Development along New Jersey’s Coast Presented by the Kislak Real Estate Institute at Monmouth University and in partnership with the Urban Coast Instit...
www.monmouth.edu
October 20, 2025 at 5:29 PM
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The #MonmouthUniversity Department of Political Science and Sociology and the UCI will co-host “Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal and its Potential Role in U.S. #Climate Policy” with Dr. Wil Burns on Oct. 22. More info: www.monmouth.edu/uci/2025/10/...
A flyer eading: Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal and its Potential Role in U.S. Climate Policy WIL BURNS, Ph.D., Co-Director, Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal, American University  October 22 | 1-2:30 p.m. 201 Edison Hall In the ensuing years after the entry into force of the Paris Agreement, it has become increasingly apparent that achievement of its temperature objectives will require both aggressive emissions reduction initiatives and large-scale deployment of carbon dioxide removal/negative emissions technologies to either avoid passing critical climatic thresholds or address temperature “overshoot” scenarios. While much of the early research on carbon dioxide removal methods focused on terrestrial approaches, there has been increasing attention to the potential role of the world’s oceans, given both sustainability considerations and the fact that oceans already serve as a huge carbon sink, with substantial additional potential for storing carbon. These “marine carbon dioxide removal” (mCDR) options include ocean iron fertilization, ocean alkalinity enhancement, ocean upwelling/downwelling, and ocean biomass sinking. This presentation will provide an overview of mCDR approaches and developments in the U.S., including the emerging regulatory framework for deployment of mCDR. Light refreshments will be served. QUESTIONS? Email pjacques@monmouth.edu.
October 15, 2025 at 3:52 PM
monmouthuci.bsky.social
On Oct. 21, the #MonmouthUniversity Kislak Real Estate Institute will present "The Opportunities and Challenges of Sustainable Development along New Jersey’s Coast." The event is free to attend, but registration is required. ℹ️ Details: www.monmouth.edu/kislak/the-s...
A flyer showing a sattelite map of a coastal area and the Monmouth University Kislak Real Estate Institute log with text reading: The Stephen B. Siegel Lecture Series Presented by the Kislak Real Estate Institute at Monmouth University and in partnership with the Urban Coast Institute. The Opportunities and Challenges of Sustainable Development along New Jersey’s Coast. Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, Monmouth University, the Great Hall Auditorium. Light Refreshments: 5 p.m. Lecture: 6 p.m. Admission is free, but seating is limited: we suggest registering your attendance.
October 13, 2025 at 7:19 PM
monmouthuci.bsky.social
Happy birthday to us 🎂 The #MonmouthU Urban Coast Institute turned 20 this year and Tony MacDonald has been our director from the start. Watch as Tony looks back on some of the UCI achievements he’s most proud of. 🌊🧪
youtu.be/zfaRNBCW4AA
20 Years of Impact: The Urban Coast Institute’s Journey at Monmouth University
YouTube video by Monmouth University
youtu.be
October 7, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Reposted by Urban Coast Institute
marcoportal.bsky.social
The #CoastGuard adjusted its Coastal Buoy Modernization Proposal for waters in the Northeast District based on nearly 3,000 public comments. See what changed and share your input by 11/15.

ℹ️ Details: portal.midatlanticocean.org/news/coastal...
📍 Map: portal.midatlanticocean.org/url_shortene...
A map showing buoys in the Lower New York Harbor area that are candidates for change through the Coast Guard's Coastal Buoy Modernization Proposal. A map showing buoys in Eastern Long Island that are candidates for change through the Coast Guard's Coastal Buoy Modernization Proposal.
October 6, 2025 at 6:32 PM
monmouthuci.bsky.social
Wednesday's edition of Monmouth University's Climate Crisis Teach-In series will feature a talk by the UCI's Rachel Forbes titled "Climate Change & Mental Health: Fostering Hope and Connection." To register or learn about other upcoming Teach-In events, visit www.monmouth.edu/school-of-sc...
A flyer reading: Climate Change & Mental Health: Fostering Hope and Connection RACHEL FORBES, MSW (‘11M) Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist October 8 | 6 p.m. 201 Edison Hall This presentation explores the growing mental health impacts of climate change, with a focus on community-level strategies that promote resilience, hope, and collective agency. Drawing on emerging research and best practices, it highlights how climate anxiety and ecological grief—particularly among Gen Z—are shaped by systemic inequities, uncertainty, and disruption. The session emphasizes the importance of intergenerational dialogue, mutual aid, and relational care in fostering emotional support and wellbeing. Participants will be introduced to tools, resources, and evidence-informed approaches for creating communities of care where climate-related emotions are validated and shared. Together, we will envision how interdisciplinary groups and diverse professionals can build climate-responsive mental health systems grounded in justice, connection, and collective action. This talk is part the Climate Crisis Teach-In series, organized by Monmouth University’s School of Science. Register and learn about more upcoming events at: monmouth.edu/school-of-science/climate-crisis-teach-in-2025/
October 3, 2025 at 8:46 PM
monmouthuci.bsky.social
On Oct. 9, a panel of leading voices in ocean science and exploration will convene at #MonmouthU for a conversation on actions the U.S. must take to harness a wave of transformational new technologies to ensure its economic prosperity and national security. 🧪🌊
www.monmouth.edu/uci/2025/10/...
Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute to Host Future of the Ocean Symposium Oct. 9 | Urban Coast Institute
A new wave of marine technologies such as artificial intelligence, autonomous underwater gliders, environmental DNA, and acoustic telemetry is rapidly changing how we study and what we know about our ...
www.monmouth.edu
October 2, 2025 at 8:47 PM
monmouthuci.bsky.social
Yesterday New Jersey issued a drought watch urging residents and businesses to voluntarily conserve water as a result of prolonged below-average precipitation. You can help save water this fall with 10 simple steps in this graphic. Learn more about water supply conditions at: dep.nj.gov/drought/
October 2, 2025 at 6:13 PM