The fifth grade class and teachers of Holy Cross School, Rumson, traveled to the State House in Trenton Sept. 27 to receive individual Resolutions for their civic involvement, proposing the horseshoe crab be named the NJ State Arthropod.

During the 2015-16 school year, when the class was in fourth grade, the students learned about a group of third graders in Maine who proposed a bill to their state legislature to recognize the lobster as their State Crustacean.  Inspired by this story, the class researched local wildlife and found that horseshoe crabs, which familiarly dot the New Jersey coastline during late spring and early summer, are in the arthropod family and have ancestors dating back 300 million years. They also learned that the horseshoe crab is nearing extinction, due in part to the harvesting of their blue blood for its clotting and antibacterial qualities. Though the horseshoe crabs are returned to their natural habitat after their blood has been extracted, they experience a 10 percent mortality rate after having been removed from the wild. Further, the students realized that the ecological consequences of the horseshoe crab’s dwindling population extend to other species. For example, the red knot migratory bird is now listed as an endangered species because it feeds on the eggs of the horseshoe crab.

The students hope that if they gain State Arthropod status for the horseshoe crab, perhaps the species will be better protected, and thereby improve the ecology of their beloved Jersey Shore as well.  With the help of teacher Maryjane Gallo and in-class support Diane Kelly, they each wrote a letter to their District Representatives, in Districts 11 and 13, petitioning that the horseshoe crab be considered as a new state symbol, the State Arthropod. The Legislative Branch was impressed with their civic mindfulness, and honored each of them with a Resolution, which is a commendation from the Legislative Branch that recognizes their efforts and keeps the idea “on the table” as a plausible bill to be considered.

The students also enjoyed a tour of the State House and the chance to meet Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno and Assemblywoman Joann Downey.

 “I am extremely proud of their work, their knowledge, and their enthusiasm.” Gallo stated. “The students are humbled by this experience and honor.  They learned that they have a voice in their government at an early age.”