History

1960's

Dr. Lional A. Walford of the Sandy Hook Marine Lab founded the American Littoral Society to be a bridge between science and the public.
Our divers gathered data on fish and invertebrates for Sandy Hook Marine Lab (now a division of NOAA)
Defended a valuable diving spot, the San Diego, off of Fire Island, from salvage for scap iron; the wreck remains a popular dive site today
Published Fish and Man: Conflict in Atlantic Estuaries, to alert the public to the threat of water pollution to coastal development.
Founded our volunteer fish tagging program to enable fishermen to work with scientists in managing and protecting marine fish; more than fifty years later, our tagging program is the largest all volunteer tagging program in the U.S.

Won passage of the NJ Wetlands Act of 1970 to halt the dredging and filling of tidal wetlands.
Spearheaded passage of New Jersey's Coastal Area Facilities Review Act (CAFRA) the first law in the state to control land development in coastal regions (about one seventh of the state"s total area).
Fired the first salvo of the Society"s long-term effort to protectg the public"s right of access to the beach.
Began a 20-year battle to stop dumping of sewage sludge, chemicals, and other pollutants.

Founded our New York Chapter on Jamaica Bay.
Launched the Delaware Riverkeeper Network to focus on protecting the entire length of the Delaware estuary.
Organized Project Reefkeeper in Florida to address concerns about the decline of coral reefs.
Began managing the International Coastal Cleanup in New York State, which continues to this day.
Continued our fight to protect the public's right to NJ ocean beaches by litigating against municipal efforts to privatize public beaches.

Stopped waterfront development to preserve public's view of the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline from the Helix, the NJ entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel.
Founded the NY/NJ Baykeeper to protect lands and waters of NY Harbor and Raritan Bay.
Returned to federal court to enforce the Clean Water Act in DE, NJ, PA, MD, VA, and Puerto Rico.
Won important protections for horseshoe crabs critical to the survival of migrating shorebirds.
Helped found Restore America's Estuaries.
Founded our habitat restoration program.

Won Congressional approval of the National Estuary Act to heal past mistakes and restore vital natural resources to US bays and coasts.
Inaugurated the Jamaica Bay Guardian program in NYC to focus on the need to protect NYC's last true wilderness.
Won a landmark beach access decision in the New Jersey Supreme Court, giving public access to the entire dry sand beach of a self-styled "beach club".
Opened Barnegat Bay and Delaware Bayshore offices to focus on protecting and restoring these special places.
Formalized our environmental education and outreach program.
Won a NJ moratorium on the harvest of horseshoe crabs for bait until crab and red knot populations are sufficiently recovered.

Restored critical horseshoe crab beaches on Delaware Bay after Hurricane Sandy destroyed them, thereby saving many migratory bird species from starvation.
Through a multi-million dollar initiative, improved fish passage, water quality and flood alleviation in Wreck Pond, a coastal pond on the New Jersey Coast.
Celebrated 50 years of fish tagging with over 633,000 fish tagged and tens of thousands of fish recaptured.
Convinced NYC to reduce pollution of Jamaica Bay by upgrading antiquated sewage treatment plants.
Helped pass landmark statewide legislation to help the ailing Barnegat Bay.
Celebrated 30 years of managing the NY State Beach Cleanup. More than 10,000 volunteers removed 80 tons of marine debris at 325 coastal sites.
Secured $1 million in Clean Water Act funding to reduce polluted runoff in Barnegat Bay.
Launched the Barnegat Bay Guardian to be a watchdog on the Bay.
Started the NJ SpillSpotters, a citizen oil-spill response network.