Sedge House Dedication

On August 17, 2005 a group of seventy people gathered at the Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center to name the house for a person who has done more for conservation in Barnegat Bay than any other person. Paul D. (Pete) McLain was commended by the DEP’s Directors of both Fish and Wildlife and Parks and Forestry, for his untiring efforts over the past fifty years.
Other dignitaries from local and national conservation organizations were joined by Pete’s family and friends to honor him. After the dedication of the house, the group enjoyed fresh clams and crabs recently caught in the waters around the island.

For the past five years visitors to the Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center have heard tales of Pete’s many accomplishments as they have kayaked in the channels and ditches in the salt marsh. As they gaze at the tall tower south of the sedge house, they hear how Pete almost single handedly reintroduced the peregrine falcon to the eastern United States by bringing chicks from Alaska and rearing them in a nest on the hacking tower he built. Everyone who visits the Sedge Island Marine Conservation Zone is impressed by the more than thirty osprey platforms in the area.
In the 1970’s Pete began bringing fertile eggs from Maryland to replace the DDT laden eggs in NJ nests. As a result of this effort, the Sedge Island Area now has the largest osprey concentration in New Jersey and one of the largest on the East Coast.

Two other people were also honored at the dedication. Tony and Jackie Raniero have been the caretakers of the island for over 30 years. They were also recognized for their unrelenting contributions and efforts that make the Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center the incredible place that it is. Visitors first meet Tony when he transports them from the Island Beach dock to Sedge Island. Later they see him fixing something, cutting the grass or doing some other work around the island. Now as a result of another plaque being installed, people will be made aware that Tony almost single handedly constructed the shop/boathouse. Jackie, while less visible, keeps track of the visitors and makes sure the house is in order after each group leaves. For the past few years she has made a major contribution to research on the diamond back terrapin by capturing and tagging over 100 nesting females each year.

To Pete, Tony and Jackie: We thank you for your tireless effort and love of this education center and area.

‘…there are those who love Barnegat Bay and consider it a natural resource jewel. They have tasted the salt, smelled the clean air, enjoyed the wildlife, and feasted in its fins and shellfish. To know Barnegat Bay is to love it” ~ Pete McLain

To see more photos from this event:

Sedge House Dedication