Ron Smith of Merchantville, New Jersey

Ron Smith, of Merchantville, New Jersey, is an environmental science educator in the Haddonfield School District, who has been at the forefront of various community science initiatives for over two decades. Let's dive into Ron's journey and his incredible contributions to invertebrate conservation.

Ron's appreciation for invertebrates grew from fond childhood memories of exploring his grandfather’s garden. “I remember examining the various invertebrates in his compost pile, and also pollinators that would visit the flowers of the various plants in his garden. Other than being fascinated with their activities and habitat, my grandfather emphasized their importance in the garden,” he recalled.

After completing his undergraduate studies in biology at Boston College, Ron pursued his passion for ecology, earning a Master’s degree from Rutgers University. Although he didn't initially plan to become an educator, Ron recognized from his own life the power of first-hand experiences with wildlife and nature to inspire curiosity. Starting with the environmental science program at the Haddonfield School District, Ron focused on designing and implementing community science projects for his middle school students. From 2013 to 2023, Ron also directed a summer program at Drexel University that brought high schoolers from across the country, likewise centered around hands-on learning. Ron’s dedication gave his students something truly special: the opportunity to get up close with nature and do real research. 

When Ron was 12, he was alone exploring on an expanse of beach along the Delaware Bay. It was spring, and he happened upon thousands of horseshoe crabs, who had gathered to mate and lay their eggs. Ron remembers, “I was captivated and amazed. I had no idea that years later I would be leading conservation work on these wonderful creatures.”

Horseshoe crabs are ancient and strange animals that are a key part of both the Delaware Bay ecosystem, and human medical research. Every year, millions of horseshoe crabs return to the Delaware Bay to reproduce. Many local and migrating animals rely on this seasonal buffet of horseshoe crabs and their eggs to survive. Horseshoe crabs’ blood has a special property that makes it ideal for testing new drugs and prosthetics, so many are also collected by companies that extract their blood. Many years of overharvesting and habitat damage have caused a severe drop in their population, with impacts on other wildlife. However, more and more people are working together to help horseshoe crabs, thanks to Ron and people like him.

In 2012, on a field trip to view migratory shorebirds on the Delaware Bay, Ron and his students found a group of horseshoe crabs that needed help, having been stranded above the high tide line. As they carried the horseshoe crabs back to the bay, one student asked a simple question, "How many horsehoes need rescuing?"

And so began a weekly effort to find, count, and rescue stranded horseshoe crabs!  

One year, a spring storm, coupled with a full moon tide the night before, pushed horseshoe crabs over the beach and onto the road by the thousands. Even for Ron and a group of students, it was daunting. "The task seemed insurmountable,” he said.  “[But] as we set about carrying horsehoes back to the bay, a handful of homeowners from the small community that lived close to the bay came out to join us in our efforts."

Together, this doubled their numbers, and they cleared every horseshoe crab from the streets and yards of the neighborhood. "Over 5,000 horseshoes in total were returned to water so that they could spawn again on another high tide," Ron shared, explaining that it was more than just a cleanup effort; it was a bonding experience. "We made lasting friendships that day and created a community bond built on our shared love for the natural world and our conservation efforts."

Experiences like this one are the reason that Ron envisions a future where community science plays a pivotal role in biodiversity conservation. Getting there is not just a matter of starting more projects. Ron also emphasizes the importance of building lasting connections, by working with more groups of people, listening to their concerns and experiences, and keeping that communication going.

In his years as an educator, Ron has inspired an appreciation for wildlife and conservation in many students. In 2023, he was recognized as Teacher of the Year by the Haddonfield Board of Education, who noted that, while many of Ron’s students did continue into environmental science careers, the experience impacted even those who pursued other passions.

In hopes of introducing even more people to the fun of firsthand discovery, Ron has also written a book, “Adventures in Community Science.” This is a guide for anyone curious about getting started with community science, including families, educators, and nature centers, and includes several projects that readers can try right away. Ron's aim is to encourage more people to participate in biodiversity conservation efforts and demonstrate how community science can bring people together for a common cause.

Ron Smith's commitment to education, conservation, and community science serves as an example to us all. His belief in the power of community engagement underscores the importance of collective action in safeguarding our planet's biodiversity.

Thank you, Ron, for your tireless efforts in defending our littlest creatures and for being a steady example in the world of invertebrate conservation