NJ Audubon earns environmental award

BERNARDSVILLE — New Jersey Audubon has received the 2009 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award for its efforts to save New Jersey’s shorebird populations. These efforts reached a milestone in 2005 when New Jersey imposed a two-year moratorium on horseshoe crab harvesting, in order to conserve the precious energy resources that numerous bird species find in the superabundance of horseshoe crab eggs. Another milestone was reached in 2008 when Governor Corzine signed legislation to extend that moratorium until the red knots reach self-sustaining numbers. “New Jersey Audubon has been working to protect and restore the Delaware Bay shorebird stopover areas for over two decades,” said President Thomas J. Gilmore. “With tremendous efforts in the past several years across our entire organization, other organizations, and the state legislature and administration, we were able to achieve landmark legislation that will give our shorebird populations a fighting chance for survival.” Before the overharvest of horseshoe crabs, over one million shorebirds graced the Delaware Bay during their spring migrations. In the 1990s the crabs were taken in the millions as bait for eel and conch, leaving the shorebirds that rely on horseshoe crab eggs with less to eat. Several shorebird species, including the red knot, semipalmated sandpiper, ruddy turnstones, and sanderlings were particularly hard hit. The short-billed dowitcher and unlin were also impacted. Red knot numbers declined by more than 75 percent since 2000, putting it on the brink of extinction, and numbers of the other five species declined by 64 percent. “New Jersey Audubon’s work to protect shorebirds has extended from our research department’s efforts to quantify the population impact, to our conservation department’s work in the field and with partners, to our government relations unit,” said Eric Stiles, vice president for conservation and stewardship. “We also want to thank our members, many of whom are personally involved and making their voices heard across the state.” The Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards program was established 10 years ago by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to recognize outstanding environmental performance, programs and projects in the state. The DEP coordinates the program, and the New Jersey Corporation for Advanced Technology and the New Jersey State League of Municipalities are co-sponsors. The award was presented on the evening of December 3rd at Drumthwacket, the Governor’s official residence. Additional information about the New Jersey Audubon’s efforts to save shorebirds, as well as other species and habitats in New Jersey, can be found at www.njaudubon.org.