Stafford Names Official Township Raptor: The Osprey

STAFFORD, NJ — The resilience of the native osprey has earned it a special honor: being named the official raptor of Stafford Township.

The Stafford Township Council officially named this honor at a recent meeting, noting the osprey's importance to the local ecosystem.

"The presence of ospreys helps promote a diverse and healthy ecosystem," Mayor Greg Myhre read from the proclamation.

Ospreys were threatened in the 19th and early 20th centuries primarily by hunters and collectors, Myhre said.

Their threats continued into the 1950s and 60s with the use of toxic insecticides such as DDT and other factors like habitat loss.

But the osprey has since made a recovery and can now frequently seen in Stafford - something that wasn't always true.

Ben Wurst from Conserve Wildlife Foundation, who said he has worked with ospreys in New Jersey for almost 20 years, was present to accept the proclamation.

"I grew up in Manahawkin," Wurst said. "I don't recall seeing too many ospreys as a kid."

That has since changed, he said.

"Today they're thriving, thankfully, because of the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and everything we've done to preserve open space for them to thrive and survive for future generations to enjoy," Wurst said.

Stafford has also recently named an official township amphibian and an official township reptile.