A study looking at the threat to the health of birds and their habitats at Sandy Hook and other NJ sites will be discussed Monday night at a public meeting of the NJ Friends of Clearwater and the Jersey Shore (Monmouth) Group of the Sierra Club

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Warner Student Life Center of Brookdale Community College in Lincroft.

NJ Audubon Staff Director Pete Bacinski will explain the results of a state-of-the-birds study he conducted on the health and habitat of native and migratory birds along the Raritan Bay estuary.

Bacinski's work evaluates the effects of pollution, habitat destruction, and other detrimental factors along the Bay, whose ecology is important for both resident and migratory birds. 

New Jersey, on the Atlantic Flyway, is a bird watcher's paradise as birds migrate north to their breeding grounds each spring and then south in the fall to winter over in warmer climes.

Last year, about 380 species of birds were reported in New Jersey, according to statistics on Cornell University's "ebird.com" web site, maintained by the school's ornithology laboratory.

However, the world of birds is growing grimmer. A study by Stanford University biologists in 2004 predicted that worldwide 10 percent of all bird species are likely to disappear by the year 2100, and another 15 percent could be on the brink of extinction.

The study cited several reasons for the expected decline in bird populations, including habitat loss, disease, climate change, competition from non-native (intrusive) species, and exploitation for food or the pet trade. 

While New Jersey offers many excellent bird-watching locations, including Cape May, the Forsyth Wildlife Preserve, Sandy Hook and the Great Swamp, many other open-space habitats that migrating and native birds rely on are disappearing because of development. Mr. Bacinski's talk will address these concerns.

The N.J. Audubon Society, founded in 1897, promotes environmental awareness and a conservation ethic among New Jersey's citizens; protects New Jersey's birds, animals, and plants, especially endangered and threatened species; promotes preserving New Jersey's valuable natural habitats, and manages 11 bird sanctuaries. 

Mr. Bacinski's presentation is hosted by Brookdale Community College  Environmental Club to encourage BCC students to be involved in statewide and national debates on the importance of strong environmental regulations. 

At the Lincroft meeting, a cash buffet begins at 6:00 p.m. and Mr. Bacinski's presentation begins at 6:30 p.m.

At Brookdale, follow signs to the Warner Student Life Center (SLC), where the meeting will be in the Twin Lights Rooms 1 and 2. Use parking lot 7.  As you walk eastward towards the building complex, Warner will be on your left.

If lot 7 is full, use parking lots 5 or 6.

A campus map is at 
www.brookdalecc.edu/PDFFiles/MAPS/MAP_04_08.pdf