A Talk on the Wild Side.
By Brynn Walling USFWS
Who, what, when, where, why, and how?
We have all the answers for you regarding the Barrier Beach Restoration Project on Long Beach West in Stratford, Connecticut.
Long Beach faced stormy times, but has since been restored. (Photo: USFWS)
Long Beach was once a bustling summer community, with dozens of summer cottages. In 1996, a fire burnt down the bridge connecting the beach to the mainland. Thereafter the cottages remained vacant.
In July 2009, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was awarded American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for a project to remove 37 deteriorating cottages and restore beach and dune habitat–a project that would not only benefit wildlife, but humans, too.
Restoration work continued through spring 2011, pausing only during piping plovers, least terns, and the American oystercatcher nesting seasons. Not only is this area some of the most important nesting habitat remaining in the state for these rare shorebirds, it also serves as critical habitat for five state-listed plants, nesting diamondback terrapins, clapper rails, black ducks, and other common migratory birds.
Now that you know the who, what, when, where, and why of the story, you’re probably wondering how everyone benefits. Get the full story here.
(And check out videos of our efforts on our YouTube channel.)
Each week, throughout this ruby anniversary year of the Endangered Species Act, we’ll highlight stories of conservation success in every state across the country. Stay tuned!