From Summer Beach Days to Scientific Breakthroughs: A Young Scientist’s Journey on the Jersey Shore

September 24, 2024 by Ocean County Soil Conservation District

For many people, summers on the Jersey Shore are about sun, sand, and surf. But for high school student Nora Morton, the Jersey Shore is more than just a vacation destination—it’s where her love for the environment began. Growing up boating, kayaking, fishing, and exploring the marshes of Barnegat Bay, Nora developed a deep connection to the natural ecosystems that shaped her childhood and influenced her perspective on both the beauty and fragility of coastal environments. Now, as a young scientist, she’s using that passion to help protect these fragile environments through her WILSON project. WILSON is a research project aimed at tackling one of the region’s growing challenges: the effects of boat wakes on eroding shorelines. 

Nora Morton and her science mentor, Jim Dugan, Vice President of the Mordecai Land Trust

In this article, we delve into her journey, which merges her love for the environment with her groundbreaking WILSON research project and its potential impact on protecting bay islands and coastal communities. Nora’s work is a testament to how individuals can contribute to larger conservation efforts, combining innovative technology with community-driven solutions to safeguard coastal areas. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.