Hoping to show residents the natural elements of Lake Lefferts, the Borough of Matawan and NY/NJ Baykeeper will offer free guided kayak tours this summer.
The guided kayak tours will be led by Joe Reynolds, who is a local naturalist, explorer, writer, photographer and conservationist. He specializes in estuarine ecology and coastal biology of the mid-Atlantic, according to information provided by the borough.
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“This is the first year that I will be giving free kayak tours on Lake Lefferts, and I believe this is the first time the [borough] is offering free kayak tours, at least organized tours, in some time,” Reynolds said. “I am very excited to be part of this event that will be able to get people on the water to experience some lovely natural sights along the lake.”
Reynolds said offering free kayak tours originally was an idea the borough and the NY/NJ Baykeeper had over the winter to get people outdoors during the summer to enjoy paddling through local waters.
“When it was decided that kayak trips would go forward, both the borough and the NY/NJ Baykeeper reached out to me because they know I have a passion to get people closer to and interact with nature, especially our aquatic environment,” Reynolds said. “Let’s face it, New Jersey is a coastal state and Monmouth County is a coastal county, but few people have the time or ability to really enjoy the water by being on the water, away from busy roads and congestion of an urban/suburban setting.”
The kayak tours will be held on July 21 and Aug. 25. “Just the two days.” There will be four tour time slots per day: 9-10 a.m., 11 a.m. to noon, 1-2 p.m. and 3-4 p.m., according to information provided by the borough.
Reynolds said the launching site is approximately where Ravine Drive and Matawan Avenue meet in the borough. There is a small park, where the two roads meet. Along the lake, the public can launch kayaks, canoes and paddle boards or go freshwater fishing.
“In order to participate in this activity, everyone should be able to function in a kayak efficiently and have a lifejacket or a personal floatation device (PFD) that is certified by the U.S. Coast Guard,” Reynolds said. “No one will be allowed on the water without a PFD. Also, anyone under the age of 14 will need to be in a tandem or two-person kayak with an adult. These rules are in place to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.”
Reynolds said for the past several years, he has helped to manage public kayak tours with the NY-NJ Baykeeper, an environmental nonprofit organization based in Matawan. Since 1989, the NY-NJ Baykeeper has worked to protect, preserve and restore the environment of the most urban estuary on earth.
According to Reynolds, he also is president of the new environmental nonprofit group “Save Coastal Wildlife” that is based out of Atlantic Highlands. The group is dedicated to educating people about issues regarding the preservation of coastal wildlife, including horseshoe crabs, ospreys and marine mammals around New York Harbor and down the Jersey Shore to Delaware Bay.
Reynolds attended Bard College, graduating with a Master’s degree in environmental science, according to information provided by the borough.
Having lived near the Atlantic Ocean for most of his life, Reynolds said he always has been interested in environmental science.
“As I looked around me, I quickly realized that I live in a very special place and very different from people who live just a few miles inland. I have spent most of my life trying to better understand the ecology, science and history of the Jersey Shore,” Reynolds said. “[While also] sharing what I have learned with other people with a hope that individuals will gain a different way of thinking in which people try to care more about our coast and the long-term survival of our blue planet.”
Reynolds said he currently works full-time as an environmental educator to teach people of all ages about the wonderful coastal-estuarine environment in Monmouth County.
He said the tours are “an easy, short paddle for beginners or for a person who just wants to experience paddling on a new water body. You can unload your car next to the lake and park your car across the street. Lake Lefferts is usually quiet and peaceful with wildlife to see and lovely lake houses to view. It will be a fun and unique way to spend what will hopefully be a beautiful summer day.”
For more information visit www.matawanborough.com/matawan/ or call 732-566-3898.
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
