CHARACTERS

As a home-grown Jersey shore local with a background in wildlife biology, Gavin's story to reconnect with the ecosystem of his home weaves together the rest of our characters' narratives. 

Jenna Reynolds is the first LGBTQ+ and trans-women in New Jersey to lead an environmental nonprofit. Jenna chose in 2018 to take a proactive approach to protecting wildlife along the Jersey Shore. She, with a small group of like-minded individuals, launched the Save Coastal Wildlife with the mission of restoring wildlife popualtions through community science, research, experiential education, and advocacy. She has a Master’s degree in environmental science from Bard College and is an award-winning environmental educator with over 25 years of experience in conducting research, education and community outreach programs on protecting biodiversity.

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If every town had an Angela Andersen, then the world would be saved! She is a powerful force for sustainability and coastal resilience. A Jersey Girl through and through, she's lived both sides of the Jersey shore experience. Growing up in Bergen County, her family vacationed in Beach Haven every summer. Now, she's made that same sandbar her home, where she built a life, a community, and family of her own. 

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As LBT's Sustainability Director, she takes care of her town's natural resources, taking a "reach-across-the-isle" approach to the tidings of local government while maintaining a child-like wonder for her work.

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As co-founder of the NJ Bay Islands Initiative, she leads with independent thinking, a free spirit, and that same inclusive mentality to cultivate holistic partnerships for a holistic approach to conservation. Saving the shore she loves, one island at a time.

Co-founders of the Barnegat Oyster Collective, college friends Matt and Scott found a way to keep the party going through oyster farming! To do it though meant forging a path through bureaucratic obstacles and technical unknowns, that with shear will and luck sparked an aquaculture renaissance - the shellaissance -  for the local industry. Both NJ natives, they pride themselves on running a sustainable business that gives back to nature and their community. 

BS from Princeton, a MS form Villanova, and A PhD. from UPenn, Bianca's got more than enough Brains for any team! Her long career in ecological research has had a special focus on coastal dune ecology, earning her the apt title of Dr. Dune Goon. Don't let her accolades fool you though, as her alter ego suggests, she knows how to enjoy summer as much as the rest of us!  

Surfer. Photographer. Giver.

As environmental director for the nonprofit arm of the NJ-born surf and lifestyle brand, JETTY, he's in charge of lifting coastal communities up through philanthropic aid to environmental initiatives. Giving back were it counts, Kyle knows the power of cultivating community and aims it at our coasts most pressing envrionemtnal isses.

His work at the Jetty Rock Foundation demosntates a model for summertime fun and culture that can be beneficial to our ecosystem.

His is a surfer mentality on a grand scale - come together, ride waves, and keep the environment healthy in which we play so we can do it all again tomorrow.​

At 20 years old, Nick is as involved in local conservation as any seasoned environmentalist. A Surf City native, he's grown up on the water, driving boats long before he could drive a car.

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Nick does a lot, from first-matting on a yacht, helping run operations at the Barnegat Oyster Collective, captaining back-bay eco cruises, and serving on the board of directors for the nonprofit Save Barnegat Bay. All while enrolled at Stockten University's Marine Sicence Undergrad program.

Nick is a modern baymen in evrey sense of the world, and he intends to use those skills to protect the ecosystem and communities in which he loves as a game warden after graduation.

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Nick is an inspiring example of what a deep connection to nature can lead one to become, and a testament to the importance of environmental education and outreach for our youth.