We were overwhelmed by volunteers yesterday. Yes, overwhelmed. You see, the Jersey Shore Chapter had planned a little “Beachscape Day” on a stretch of coast scheduled for a massive beach replenishment project courtesy of the Army Corps of Engineers. There are few people in the chapter very familiar with Beachscape like Joe Mairo, Robin Bowden, and Dan Balderose, but naturally we wanted to get more locals involved. As you know, Beachscape is Surfrider’s community based coastal mapping program, and a heck of a good way to find out what a beach has to offer before it is buried under tons of sand. Speaking of buried, that how we felt when 50 people showed up. We had felt so prepared with 20 copies of everything, oh well. So we have 50 people in an office built for two, and we are all inside because it was 30 degrees outside with 20mph wind.
Joe Mairo, above, explains the finer points of Beachscape to a packed house. Photo Jack Reynolds
But nobody got discouraged. After a quick trip out for more supplies, we were ready to go. The rest of the day went off without a hitch.
Tales of the Tape. Dave Werner, Brian Coen and Rich Huegi get the story on LBI beaches. Photo, Ann Coen.
It was incredibly uplifting that 50 people showed up on a cold Saturday to help us get the info we need to hopefully modify this beach fill project. But even more notable is the outpouring of resources of all kinds that were offered in relation to our Beachscape Day. Ann and Jon Coen offered their office for starters. Mark Tesi had the Army Corp’s plans scanned and digitized, Dave Werner brought several 100 meter surveying tapes and some hand-held GPS units, Scott Larew brought still more GPS units and some awesome aerial photography of the area; printed and on disk! Jack Reynolds donated the extra copies, Tom Quinn offered to get our finalized Beachscape product printed on a high end printer, and Rich Huegi offered to do the important data entry work turning our paperwork into a database.
It was as it should be; a community of people coming together to protect what they love. It proved what Surfrider often says, give volunteers something to do and they’ll do it. And better yet they will figure out how their own special talents and the resources at their disposal can help get it done.
John Weber
Good thing GPS devices can now be bought in any electronic stores. In the 1980's only the military could get access to these high-tech tracking and survey equipment. It was until the KAL 007 airline disaster that President Reagan authorized civilian use of GPS. Good for us, we can now enjoy this technology.
Posted by: Jesse Mcgraw | May 27, 2011 at 08:27 AM