The Gateway team did research on various topics of interests related to Sandy Hook and presented them to SCA NPC and Agency staff. Mike McHale gave a presentation on the shifting coastline of Sandy Hook and offered his views on coastal property-shoreline management and restoration. Dennise Cupp developed a vegetation management/restoration plan for Sandy Hook, which included planting native plants and trees. Nick Casey talked about the New Jersey state-listed endangered black skimmers, which nested here at Sandy Hook this summer for the first time in 25years! Susan gave a different perspective on the invasive tree of heaven and looked at its beneficial properties and cultural significance in its native homeland of China. As a result, everyone was impressed and learned a lot more about Sandy Hook's "shifting sands" and coastline, endangered birds, and the invasive "heavenly" trees. The site already plans to incorporate some of Dennise's proposals in its future vegetation management plan. Overall, it will be great knowing that the Fall 2010 Gateway team is not only making its impact now but also in the future decision-making plans for the park.
