A digital gateway to coastal stewardship

The Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve has engaged Night Kitchen in a strategic digital planning and implementation project. We completed our planning and have launched the first step, a new welcome kiosk in their Coastal Education Center. This experience introduces curious guests to New Jersey's estuary conservation resources as they convene in the entryway foyer.

The touchscreen allows visitors to explore tidal shifts, learn about local flora and fauna, view a calendar of upcoming events, and sign up for research programs and volunteer opportunities. It features drone videography and photography of the Reserve, animated tidal simulations, and interpretive content to educate visitors about the importance of the Reserve and the role of estuaries in the local ecosystem.

The entryway pilot is the first stage of a multi-phase collaboration to upgrade the Coastal Educational Center with new digital experiences and interpretation. In the next phase, we will equip the foyer, classroom, and two conference rooms with digital hardware that can be built to flexibly accommodate a variety of interpretive, educational, or practical uses by the Reserve's educational team.