World Wetlands Day and the Jamaica Bay Wetlands Fellowship
This past Sunday, February 2nd marked not just Groundhog Day, but also World Wetlands Day — an annual celebration of wetlands' vital role in safeguarding human health and wellbeing in the midst of a changing climate. In Jamaica Bay, every day is wetlands day, but this weekend offered an opportunity to evangelize their importance to a broader audience.
Anil Pasram, Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy’s (JBRPC) stewardship programs manager took part in a World Wetlands Day event hosted by our friends at Eastern Queens Alliance. Along with a presentation on JBRPC’s stewardship of wetlands and other natural areas, Anil shared with attendees some highlights from our Jamaica Bay Wetlands Fellowship — a 6-month paid workforce development and job training program for young adults (aged 18–25), focused on skills for wetlands maintenance, monitoring, and restoration.
Recruitment for the paid Fellowship is targeted to neighborhoods within the Jamaica Bay watershed. By providing training and unique learning experiences for local young adults passionate about the outdoors and environmental restoration, we are building local knowledge in ecological stewardship and giving communities surrounding Jamaica Bay the ability to ensure environmental well-being for generations to come.
Applications for the 2025 Jamaica Bay Wetlands Fellowship are being accepted now, through March 7th. From April to September 2025, Fellows will learn through hands-on restoration of natural areas including shorelines, marshes and trails, removal of invasive plant species and marine debris, plus revegetation with native species through seeding and planting.
Separately, on Saturday, February 22nd, JBRPC invites volunteer stewards to Plumb Beach for a World Wetlands Day themed cleanup. This shoreline along the Belt Parkway is beloved by locals for its sweeping views of New York’s Lower Bay to the west, and the Rockaway Inlet to the east. Plumb Beach is also an indispensable breeding ground for horseshoe crabs, the “living fossils” of the North Atlantic region, that have been coming ashore to lay eggs around Jamaica Bay for 450 million years. Keeping this shoreline safe, healthy and free of debris is important for wildlife and human visitors alike. Interested in volunteering? Registration is available here.
In Jamaica Bay and beyond, wetlands serve a critical role as a line of first defense against climate change. Jamaica Bay salt marshes are estimated to be at least 13 feet deep — enough to sequester 55 million metric tons of underground carbon, or more than half of New York City’s annual carbon emissions. During storms, each acre of wetlands can absorb up to 1.5 million gallons of water — more than 2.25 Olympic-sized swimming pools — protecting local communities from flooding. Moreover, by filtering water, wetlands trap pollutants underground, safeguarding water quality in coastal bays, sounds and estuaries.
Jamaica Bay’s wetlands are home to a variety of shellfish, about 100 species of fin fish, more than 350 species of birds, terrapin turtles and larger marine mammals like seals, dolphins and even whales. Unfortunately, 75 percent of Jamaica Bay’s salt marshes have disappeared over the past century, as a result of intense urbanization and other human activity.
But there is hope! More restoration projects are in the pipeline today than ever before. Conserving and restoring Jamaica Bay will take all of us. Join our efforts – whether at an ecological or cultural event, a stewardship day, a school field trip or recreational opportunity on the water. Our work would not be possible without the support of sponsors, partners and donations from conscientious community members. If you are able, please consider donating to keep up the momentum!