The Wetlands Institute Is Getting a Massive Transformation

A massive transformation is coming to one of Cape May County’s most recognizable landmarks, and it’s much bigger than just improvements to the marsh trail.

The Wetlands Institute, located at 1075 Stone Harbor Boulevard just outside of Stone Harbor, is preparing to completely reimagine its longtime campus, including plans to eventually replace the building that visitors have known for more than five decades.

The first major change begins after Labor Day.

The Wetlands Institute will hold its final day of regular public programming at its current campus on Monday, September 7, 2026. Beginning September 8, operations will transition to the New Jersey Coastal Conservation Center at 600 N. Delsea Drive in Cape May Court House, with public weekend programming expected to begin there in November.

So, why such a massive project?

A big reason is flooding.

According to The Wetlands Institute, the Salt Marsh Trail flooded approximately twice per year back in 2000. Over the past five years, that number has jumped to around 70 times per year.

That flooding impacts visitors, educational programs and the surrounding ecosystem, including diamondback terrapin nesting areas and habitat used by marsh-dependent birds.

The first construction phase will tackle that problem.

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Beginning this fall, the Salt Marsh Trail is expected to be raised approximately two to three feet and widened. The surrounding marsh will also undergo restoration, including improvements to terrapin nesting habitat, native vegetation, rain gardens and pollinator habitat.

The Institute has received a $3.075 million New Jersey grant supporting this portion of the project.

But here’s where this project gets really interesting.

The longtime Wetlands Institute building is ultimately expected to come down.

Officials say renovating the more than 50-year-old building isn’t a practical long-term solution because the structure cannot simply be elevated. Instead, plans call for an entirely new building designed to handle the changing conditions of the marsh.

The proposed building would be elevated for flood protection and would dramatically expand several of the Institute’s most popular and important spaces.

Plans call for an aquarium approximately 50 percent larger than the current one, more than double the existing laboratory space, expanded classrooms, three outdoor classrooms, improved visitor areas and full ADA accessibility.

The new building is still in the planning, approval and fundraising stages, so construction on that portion of the project isn’t beginning immediately.

For now, the focus is on the Salt Marsh Trail and surrounding ecosystem.

Still, this marks the beginning of the end for the Wetlands Institute campus as generations of visitors have known it.

If you want to experience the original building and marsh campus before this transformation gets underway, the Institute remains open seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through September 7. (aka Labor Day)

After more than 50 years, one chapter of The Wetlands Institute is beginning to close, and a completely new one is taking shape.

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