Rescue Stranded Horseshoe Crabs with WaveMaker Volunteers

OceanFirst Foundation team members and OceanFirst Bank WaveMakers recently joined forces with JOIN! grant recipient The Wetlands Institute and a dedicated group of community volunteers to participate in the inspiring reTURN the Favor program. This hands-on volunteer experience reflects a shared commitment to environmental stewardship, education, and protecting the natural resources that make New Jersey’s coastal communities so special.

Since 2013, reTURN the Favor has brought partners together to rescue American horseshoe crabs stranded along the beaches of Delaware Bay. Each spring, these remarkable creatures – often referred to as “living fossils” because they have existed for more than 450 million years—migrate to the shoreline to spawn. While this annual event is a critical part of their lifecycle, it also leaves many crabs vulnerable. Strong tides, waves, and human-made beach structures can flip the crabs onto their backs or trap them above the waterline, where they are unable to survive without assistance.

That’s where the reTURN the Favor program plays a vital role. Through partnerships with The Wetlands Institute, New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, and trained volunteers, the program rescues stranded horseshoe crabs while protecting vital coastal ecosystems.

For OceanFirst volunteers, the experience was both meaningful and memorable. Lee Keiluhn, OceanFirst Bank WaveMaker and Ocean City Branch Manager, shared how meaningful the day was for his family. “What a fantastic experience,” he said, “I loved spending that time with my kids – we had an absolute blast.”

Programs like reTURN the Favor show the power of community-driven conservation and give volunteers of all ages a way to make a real difference. Learn more about the program and discover how you can get involved at wetlandsinstitute.org.

OceanFirst reTURNs the Favor with The Wetlands Institute