Tips for Enjoying Beaches:
- Keep your distance from feeding birds. They need every minute to feed.
- Some beaches are closed during shorebird migration, to allow maximum feeding time.
- Use designated viewing areas. Info on when and where to visit
- Keep dogs leashed at all times. Just the sight of the dog causes alarm for birds.
- Please rescue overturned horseshoe crabs by putting them back on their feet. Do not lift by the tail.
- Do not drive motorized vehicles on beaches.
You can share the story of May on the Bay by volunteering as a beach steward. You will have the chance to share your passion with visitors— teaching them about about the birds, horseshoe crabs, and other Delaware Bay resources; and what they can do to help. During peak seasons, beach stewards can serve for 2-8 hours a day, for 2-10 days depending on their availability.
Student artwork on the Delaware Bay.
Show your support for conservation and display a youth sign at your business. You will help people learn about the Bayshore while support local youth in their efforts to take action.
Show others that you share the beach with shorebirds, horseshoe crabs, and wildlife. Displaying a wildlife sign will also help your neighbors join in the effort and encourage visitors to respect the area.
Signs are made by local school students after they learn about the Delaware Bay ecosystem. A selection of signs are installed on the beaches, but can be displayed in public spaces, businesses, or yards. Join us to help raise awareness and share important conservation messages about shorebirds and horseshoe crabs.
This project was developed in collaboration with NJ Audubon who have a similar project on Atlantic ocean beaches.
To request a youth presentation or to display a sign contact Laura Chamberlin.
Making a difference on the Delaware Bay is as easy as rescuing a stranded horseshoe crab. Horseshoe crabs often become stranded, overturned, or impinged behind natural and man-made structures and need a little help to get back to the Bay.
For New Jersey beaches, go to reTURN the Favor for guidance on how to work on closed beaches, collect data, and participate in an event.
If you have a group that wants to volunteer, please contact us.
Consider adding a volunteer trip into your vacation plans.Many of our Bayshore Stewards and reTurn the Favor volunteers come from out of the area, using vacation time to take action. Contact the project coordinators to learn about options for your visit.
Don’t forget to check our Resources for several tools for planning trips including finding other things to do, where to stay and eat, and other helpful tips.
Good conservation starts with a better understanding of the horseshoe crab population. Volunteers are needed on Bayshore beaches to tag and survey crabs to collect additional data for the management of horseshoe crabs and habitat.
Through May and June, there will be 12 horseshoe crab tagging and survey events on beaches in New Jersey. Find an event or check out www.horseshoecrabtagging.org
Since 1990, horseshoe crab spawning surveys have been conducted on in Delaware and New Jersey. Volunteers are always needed to participate in one of their 12 survey nights in May and June. Learn more at www.horseshoecrabssurvey.com
Celebrate Delaware Bay is a project of the Executive Office of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network and Manomet, Inc.