The American Littoral Society promotes the study and conservation of marine life and habitat, protects the coast from harm, and empowers others to do the same.
Since 1961 we have empowered people to care for the coast through advocacy, conservation, and education. We not only provide a voice for the coast, but also give concerned citizens the knowledge and tools they need to raise their voices with us. When we restore habitat, our objective is not only to restore a dune or rebuild an oyster reef, but also to motivate people to invest “sweat equity” into a piece of the coast, take ownership and become committed stewards. When we educate, we don’t merely provide books, CDs, or handouts. We lead students young and old into the water to get their feet wet and their hands muddy. Sitting at a computer or reading a book, people may develop an interest in the coast; standing knee deep in sea foam with sand between their toes, they will develop a passion for the coast. |
Littoral Spotlight:
Learn More About Local Winter Wildlife
Sandy Hook Bay and the greater NY/NJ Bight are well-known for their abundance of diverse wildlife. Whales, rays, and seas turtles populate these waters during the summer months, but winter is the best time to see seals and migratory waterfowl! If you'd like to learn more about winter wildlife that can be found on Sandy Hook or the surrounding waters, the Littoral Society has a series of upcoming opportunities on land and sea.
On Saturday's through March, you can join the Littoral Society for Seal and Bird Eco-Cruises aboard the Seastreak ferry. Our expert naturalist will help guide your exploration of the incredible ecology of the unique habitat around Sandy Hook. But if taking an excursion into Sandy Hook Bay isn't your thing, you can also join us on the Hook itself for a series of Seal and Winter Waterfowl Walks starting on January 7.
Every winter, gray seals and harbor seals migrate to the NY/NJ Bight and Sandy Hook is one of their favorite spots to visit. The Seastreak crusises will start along the bayside of the Hook, which have a couple of popular seal hangout sites, before continuing north towards Hoffman and Swinburne Islands where seals like to ‘haul out’ and sun themselves on the rocks. Finally, the boat will head towards the Verrazano Bridge – another reliable seal watching location! Last season, we saw seals on 100% our Seal and Bird Eco-Cruises.
You will get the chance to see a wide variety of shorebirds and seabirds, including northern gannets, loons, scoters, double-crested cormorants, grebes, brants, and gulls. Don’t forget your binoculars! Get tickets for the cruises on the Seastreak website or signup for the walks through the Littoral Society.
If you would prefer to see our pinniped and winter waterfowl friends from land, join the Littoral Society for Seal and Winter Waterfowl walks on Sandy Hook, NJ starting on Sunday, January 7. The walks will be led by expert naturalists from the Littoral Society and give participants a look at the different species that can be found in this area during the colder months, including harbor seals, gannets, mergansers, cormorants and maybe a Snowy Owl, if we're lucky.
In addition to showing you where to spot them, our guides will also provide information on the behavior and identifying features of coastal wildlife.
On Saturday's through March, you can join the Littoral Society for Seal and Bird Eco-Cruises aboard the Seastreak ferry. Our expert naturalist will help guide your exploration of the incredible ecology of the unique habitat around Sandy Hook. But if taking an excursion into Sandy Hook Bay isn't your thing, you can also join us on the Hook itself for a series of Seal and Winter Waterfowl Walks starting on January 7.
Every winter, gray seals and harbor seals migrate to the NY/NJ Bight and Sandy Hook is one of their favorite spots to visit. The Seastreak crusises will start along the bayside of the Hook, which have a couple of popular seal hangout sites, before continuing north towards Hoffman and Swinburne Islands where seals like to ‘haul out’ and sun themselves on the rocks. Finally, the boat will head towards the Verrazano Bridge – another reliable seal watching location! Last season, we saw seals on 100% our Seal and Bird Eco-Cruises.
You will get the chance to see a wide variety of shorebirds and seabirds, including northern gannets, loons, scoters, double-crested cormorants, grebes, brants, and gulls. Don’t forget your binoculars! Get tickets for the cruises on the Seastreak website or signup for the walks through the Littoral Society.
If you would prefer to see our pinniped and winter waterfowl friends from land, join the Littoral Society for Seal and Winter Waterfowl walks on Sandy Hook, NJ starting on Sunday, January 7. The walks will be led by expert naturalists from the Littoral Society and give participants a look at the different species that can be found in this area during the colder months, including harbor seals, gannets, mergansers, cormorants and maybe a Snowy Owl, if we're lucky.
In addition to showing you where to spot them, our guides will also provide information on the behavior and identifying features of coastal wildlife.
Event Spotlight:
Celebrate Earth Week with US
While Earth Day is Monday, April 22, the American Littoral Society will mark the occasion with a week of events that promise a range of opportunities for individuals to get involved and make a positive difference for the planet and the coast.
We're inviteing you to be part of a series of events that celebrate, educate, and contribute to the preservation of our coastal environments. Whether you're volunteering, enjoying a community celebration, or participating in eco-friendly activities, your involvement makes a positive impact. Join us in honoring Mother Earth and taking steps towards a more sustainable future.
Our Earth Day festivities will include a beach cleanup in New York, sprucing up our Slade Dale living shoreline project, dune grass planting along the Delaware Bay, and our inaugural Annual Lobster Ball. Some details remain to be worked out on certain events, so please keep an eye on the Littoral Society's social media and website for updates as we approach them.
Join us for a week dedicated to honoring Mother Earth and promoting environmental awareness. More events will be added as soon as we have all necessary details. Find information and registration links for these upcoming events on our blog.
We're inviteing you to be part of a series of events that celebrate, educate, and contribute to the preservation of our coastal environments. Whether you're volunteering, enjoying a community celebration, or participating in eco-friendly activities, your involvement makes a positive impact. Join us in honoring Mother Earth and taking steps towards a more sustainable future.
Our Earth Day festivities will include a beach cleanup in New York, sprucing up our Slade Dale living shoreline project, dune grass planting along the Delaware Bay, and our inaugural Annual Lobster Ball. Some details remain to be worked out on certain events, so please keep an eye on the Littoral Society's social media and website for updates as we approach them.
Join us for a week dedicated to honoring Mother Earth and promoting environmental awareness. More events will be added as soon as we have all necessary details. Find information and registration links for these upcoming events on our blog.