HS ReDed 5913.indd - The Horseshoe Crab

Horseshoe Crab
RE-DEDICATION
MAY 9, 2013
9:45 AM
New Jersey Avenue
(Parking and Beach Area)
Fortescue, New Jersey
Hosted by The Downe Township
SSeniors & The Downe Township
Recreation Committee
“
Downe Township’s
Own Ancient
Mariner!
”
You’re invited to join the Downe
Township Seniors, Recreation
Committee, Township Officials,
residents, the Ecological Research
and Development Group (ERDG),
and the Partnership for the Delaware
Estuary in the re-dedication of
the Fortescue Horseshoe Crab
Sanctuary and the associated
outdoor exhibit panel.
The Downe Township Community
recently got together and re-installed
the exhibit making possible this
re-dedication. Hurricane Sandy
had ripped the original exhibit
from the beach, leaving behind
only the exhibit panel, which was
found buried in the sand.
For more information visit:
www.downetwpnj.org or call
856-447-3100 or 856-447-3656.
EXHIBIT PANEL PHOTO
BEFORE HURRICANE SANDY.
Downe Township is the first New Jersey community to participate in ERDG’s
community-based Horseshoe Crab Sanctuary program, which also includes seven Bayshore
communities in Delaware as well. In 2009, Downe Township voted to set aside a portion
of its Delaware Bay shoreline for the celebration and recognition of the importance of
this ancient mariner. The beaches along the Delaware Bay, including Fortescue, experience
the largest spawning activity in the world in the months of May and June.
The original exhibit panel and mounts were supplied by ERDG, the only organization in
the world dedicated to the conservation of the remaining four horseshoe crab species.
Township residents actively participate in ERDG’s “Just Flip ‘Em”© program, patrolling
the beach daily and flipping over stranded horseshoe crabs so they can return to the water.
The exhibit panel was funded by Partnership for the Delaware Partnership, which
implements numerous education, outreach, science, management and policy goals to
protect the Delaware estuary: a precious resource that means so much to so many.