Environmental Commission Plans Nature-Book Walk at Bird Sanctuary

By MADDY VITALE To showcase a natural wonder and gem in Ocean City, the Environmental Commission is planning to host a nature-book tour of the bird sanctuary in the fall. While the commission is still working out the details, and needs city approval, the plan would be to draw attention to the sanctuary. Like the Ocean City Free Public Library’s popular StoryWalk held in Lake Memorial Park, families could go to the bird sanctuary at Stainton Wildlife Refuge at Bay Avenue and 26th Street. There, they could read laminated pages of a book attached to posts while strolling in nature. “We will focus on the wetlands and maybe spruce up the sanctuary,” explained Commissioner Betsy Lehman during a Zoom meeting of the Environmental Commission Tuesday night. “We are waiting on approval. We could do it on the bike path.” Lehman said the commission still has to select a book to feature and although the commission is partnering with the library, it is their event and they are requesting the city’s permission to hold the nature-book tours. Specifically, Lehman noted that Jessica Fenton, city liaison on the commission, would have to get the approval and then the commission could move forward and pick a book. Like the library’s StoryWalk, the commission would also engage families with a scavenger hunt during the nature-book tour. Commissioner Jim Edwards asked, “What do you need from the rest of us?” Lehman explained that the commission would probably need a day to train the commissioners on how the event runs. Grass and other vegetation are critical for the natural formation of protective sand dunes at the New Jersey shore. (Photo courtesy of Pinelands Preservation Alliance) Another Environmental Commission event in the planning stages is a beach plum planting on the sand dunes. The plantings would be along the dunes at 57th Street and Central Avenue. Beach plums are a low-growing fruiting shrub or small tree that can be planted along dunes for added protection. “We are all set up and have the materials,” explained Environmental Commission Chairman Rick Bernardini. “We just need clearance from the city. I am hopeful that we can be socially distant to do the plantings in March.” He said the hope is to have the plantings on March 1, but the latest it would occur is on April 15. It depends on when the commission receives city approval to do the plantings. “It is something to look forward to outside,” Bernardini said. “I think that it would be good.” Bernardini also opened up discussion about the proposed wind energy farm that would be constructed by Danish company Orsted and equipped with nearly 100 gigantic turbines anchored 15 miles off the coast. He said that although the commission does not vote and merely acts in the role of an advisory board, it would be a good idea for all of the members to do some research about the project since it could have far-reaching impacts to the area. “As a commission, we need a lot more information and a lot more research. You have the visual aspect, the wildlife, fishermen, all kinds of aspects,” Bernardini said. “I will put together a bunch of thoughts.” The wind farm turbines would be installed 15 miles off the coast. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Orsted representatives held meetings in Ocean City and other communities to explain the project and hear from the public. Since then, Orsted has held some virtual meetings. “When it comes time to have public forums again in the summer, we will have more targeted conversations about it. I think when they schedule the public meetings we can at least have some information,” Bernardini pointed out. “As part of our educational mission, we at least enlighten.” While he emphasized that the discussion of the proposed wind farm was for anyone to speak individually and not as a commission, he believes that the commission should come together after doing some research to take a position in the future. “You are thinking at some point the Environmental Commission will have a position and issue a statement?” Commissioner Bradford Jungles asked. Commissioner John Aiken said the commission could act solely as an advisory group to give information to City Council and Mayor Jay Gillian. The next virtual Environmental Commission meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on March 9.