Coasts

Protecting Connecticut's coasts for birds and people

American Oystercatcher. Photo: Walker Golder/Audubon

Connecticut’s coastlines and associated marshes, islands, and beaches are being squeezed by rising sea levels and human development. The ecosystem is critical to protecting birds and people, and we need your help to keep it healthy.

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE FROM SAND TO SKY

More than 23 million people live within a 50-mile radius of Long Island Sound, making this landscape one of the most densely populated regions in the United States. It’s also a critically important area for vulnerable birds like the Piping Plover, Roseate Tern, American Oystercatcher, and Saltmarsh Sparrow.

To help at-risk species, our conservation staff, volunteers, and partners are protecting and restoring the places birds need to safely rest during migration and raise their young.

In doing so, we can also help communities prepare for and feel less of an impact from extreme coastal events.

Strengthening our Coastline

Building a Stronger, Resilient Connecticut Coast
Coasts

Building a Stronger, Resilient Connecticut Coast

Rising sea levels, stronger storms, and human development are squeezing salt marshes and beaches across the Long Island Sound and Atlantic Ocean coastlines.

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Stratford’s Great Meadows Salt Marsh Gets a $4M Refresh
Coasts

Stratford’s Great Meadows Salt Marsh Gets a $4M Refresh

12 local “Salt Marsh Stewards” from Stratford and Bunnell high schools, along with three crew leaders, over 150 volunteers, elected officials, and partners, have helped turn the marsh back into a haven for wildlife and the local community.

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Protecting Beach-Nesting Birds

Resources to Protect Shore-Nesting Birds
Coasts

Resources to Protect Shore-Nesting Birds

Together, we can #ShareTheShore to help birds nest and raise their young successfully.

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Share the Love, #ShareTheShore
Coasts

Share the Love, #ShareTheShore

A community campaign to protect shore-nesting birds! Together, we can make waves for safer beaches.

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2022 Shorebird and Seabird Conservation Highlights
News

2022 Shorebird and Seabird Conservation Highlights

Thanks to our staff, volunteers, and partners, 2022 has been one of our best seasons yet!

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Birds That Depend on Our Coast

News from the Coast

A Blueprint for a Healthier Coast in New York and Connecticut
Coasts

A Blueprint for a Healthier Coast in New York and Connecticut

Audubon’s new conservation strategy will create a resilient future for the Long Island Sound area.

How to Practice Safe, Ethical Shorebird Photography
Nature Notes

How to Practice Safe, Ethical Shorebird Photography

Every photographer longs for that "perfect shot," but at what risk? Here are some best-practices to avoid endangering vulnerable birds.

Proposed Mines in The Bahamas Threaten Winter Home of Migratory Shorebirds
Coasts

Proposed Mines in The Bahamas Threaten Winter Home of Migratory Shorebirds

Joulter Cays National Park supports birds like Piping Plovers and Red Knots, as well as fishing and ecotourism.

Mid-Season Update: Shorebird Nesting in a Changing World
Coasts

Mid-Season Update: Shorebird Nesting in a Changing World

Increased spring foot traffic and off-leash pets have so far made 2020 a problematic year for threatened Connecticut birds.

Saving Red Knots One Crab at a Time
Advocacy

Saving Red Knots One Crab at a Time

Learn what you can do to help shorebirds and the food they rely on.

Dogs on Beaches: Know Before You Go
Coasts

Dogs on Beaches: Know Before You Go

To keep our beaches safe for shorebirds, we ask dog-walkers to visit alternative recreational spaces during the nesting season. Read on to find a dog park near you!

A Colorful Way to Help Keep Shorebirds Safe
Coasts

A Colorful Way to Help Keep Shorebirds Safe

Calling all young bird lovers in Connecticut! We need your creativity to help beach-nesting birds.

Shorebird Nesting in a Changing World
News

Shorebird Nesting in a Changing World

With the unfortunate emergence of COVID-19 during nesting season, Connecticut and other states have inadvertently put local wildlife populations at risk.

Share the Love, #ShareTheShore
Coasts

Share the Love, #ShareTheShore

A community campaign to protect shore-nesting birds! Together, we can make waves for safer beaches.

Sharing the Waterways: A Guide to Boating with Birds
Coasts

Sharing the Waterways: A Guide to Boating with Birds

Connecticut’s offshore islands provide critical nesting habitat for an array of birds. Here's how to avoid disturbing them.

How you can help, right now