Earth Science Club Participates in Bradley Beach Conservation Initiative

On Saturday, January 28, students from Kean University’s Earth Science Club  participated in a Surfrider organized dune grass planting event. The volunteers planted 15,000 plugs of dune grass on the sand dunes of Bradley Beach. Dune grass promotes coastal resiliency, protecting homes and promoting biodiversity.

“When the dune grass establishes itself on the beach, its roots create a web underground which acts as a natural barrier to wind and water,” said Earth Science Club president Sarah Mack. “Healthy dunes are vital to coastal ecosystems.”

The Earth Science Club is comprised of eco-conscious students from a variety of majors.  Prior knowledge of the field is not required for participation, just the desire and initiative to learn and get involved.

Mack has worked with local communities in Cambodia, Guatemala, China, and the Bahamas, studying the intersection between public health and the environment. She is passionate about uniting science with social responsibility.

Each semester, the Earth Science Club sponsors a variety of educational events.  The group recently travelled to Island Beach State Park, where they studied how coastal ecosystems function to prevent natural disasters and provide habitats for migratory birds. They also participated in a river clean up with Ground Work Elizabeth and are currently in the midst of planning a volunteer experience for the Kean community to be held at Liberty Hall Farm this spring.