February Newsletter

March 18 Webinar

What’s Up with Mid-Atlantic Offshore Wind: Ongoing Challenges and the Road Ahead

Register for our expert discussion on the policy, legal, and political landscape for offshore wind in the region, and how recent headwinds will impact its future.

UCI Advisory Committee Creates Tony MacDonald Internship and Experiential Education Fellowship

Endowed in recognition of MacDonald’s two decades of service and accomplishments as UCI director, the fund will support research and educational opportunities for Monmouth University students.

Monmouth County Awarded Resilient NJ Grant for Shark River Basin and the Surrounding Area

The UCI will serve as a member of a team conducting a regional resilience planning study for the estuary, helping to engage community members who are at risk to climate hazards. 

Seven Receive 2025-26 UCI Endowed Scholarships

The UCI has awarded endowed scholarships to three new recipients and renewed support for four other outstanding Monmouth students for this school year.

Watch: Love Blue Monmouth, UCI Members Join Marine Debris Summit Science Communication Panel

Love Blue Monmouth President Siena Zisa and VP Grace Schleiden discussed the impacts of the club’s beach cleanups while the UCI's Karl Vilacoba presented on using GIS as a tool for public engagement.

Jersey Shore Partnership to Honor MacDonald at Summer Celebration

Former UCI Director and current Senior Ocean Policy Fellow Tony MacDonald will be presented with the organization's Hon. S. Thomas Gagliano Founder Award on May 18.

Upcoming Events

For N.J. K-12 Teachers

Monmouth University Climate Change Learning Collaborative PD Sessions

View a list of upcoming sessions, including a March 2 'Climate Change and Sea Level Rise' virtual lecture delivered by UCI Acting Director Tom Herrington.

March 4-6

2026 New Jersey Sustainability and Innovation Matter Conference

Atlantic City

Annual event focuses on sustainability, recycling, litter abatement, materials management, education and outreach strategies, and more.

March 9-11

2026 New Jersey Coastal and Climate Resilience Conference

Galloway, NJ

With a theme of “Navigating Changing Tides,” the NJDEP/NJCRC conference will gather hundreds of coastal and climate resilience professionals to learn and collaborate.

March 17 | 5:30 p.m.

27th Annual Roger Revelle Commemorative Lecture: The Quest to Map the Global Ocean

A free virtual talk by 2025 UCI Champion of the Ocean Larry Mayer of the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping at the Univ. of New Hampshire.

May 4-6

The 2026 Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum

Virginia Beach

Save the dates for MARCO's eighth annual forum, featuring interactive discussions, expert presentations and networking opportunities focused on ocean initiatives in the region.

May 15

2026 Sustainability Summit

Holmdel, NJ

Early bird registration is available through March 20 for this full-day event featuring 16 sessions focused on the future of sustainability.

MISSION: The Urban Coast Institute's mission is to serve Monmouth University and the public as a forum for research, education and collaboration in the development and implementation of science-based policies and programs that support stewardship of healthy, productive and resilient coastal ecosystems and communities.

monmouth.edu/uci | uci@monmouth.edu | (732) 263-5662