Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, and also the end of the season for The Wetlands Institute’s Shorebird Steward Program. Our crew of five stewards was out on the beaches of Stone Harbor Point and Cape May National Wildlife Refuge’s Two Mile Beach Unit this summer engaging with thousands of visitors. The mission of a steward is to limit recreational disturbance to beach-nesting birds and migratory shorebirds, to educate the public about shorebirds and their management and conservation, and to collect data on disturbance events to inform future management. Stewarding is an important part of conservation for beach species where wildlife and people share the same space. Keeping disturbance to a minimum and educating the public about how they can help is essential to the survival of shorebirds since they need beach habitats for feeding, resting, nesting, and raising their young. This year’s dedicated team of stewards included Christine Albrecht (Crew Leader), Julia DiGeronimo, Kylie DeFeo, Julia Ventimiglia, and Karen Hedstrom. We appreciate their service to the birds!
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