Bird Nesting and Foraging Area Stewardship

About this grant

Coastal birds face numerous threats as a result of human activity, including loss of habitat to development, erosion, and climate change, augmentation of predator populations that prey on eggs and chicks, and direct disturbance due to recreational activity or beach grooming. Many species of shorebirds and seabirds have declined as a result of these threats. Disturbance can reduce breeding productivity through direct destruction of eggs and habitat or by causing behavioral changes in the adults that leave eggs and chicks exposed to threats. Stewardship in the form of symbolic fencing, educational signage, and wardens is an effective method of minimizing human disturbance and increasing breeding productivity of coastal birds.