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 integrated programs focused on advocating, conserving, and learning. This means that our advocacy not only provides a voice for the coast, but also gives concerned citizens the knowledge and tools they need to raise their voices with us.

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 can develop an interest in the coast; standing knee deep in sea foam with sand between their toes, people can develop a passion for the coast

1) ADVOCACY: Defending the coast against harm, providing rightful access to the beach and empowering others to do the same. Developing policy at the federal, state, and local levels; and litigating when other remedies fail.

2) EDUCATION: Educating youth, adults and users of marine resources about the issues facing our estuaries, bays, and oceans through field-based programs and tools that promote stewardship.

3) CONSERVATION: Preserving, protecting and restoring coastal habitat and wildlife in partnership with local community groups, NOAA and Restore America's Estuaries.

1. Replace lawn with native plants
Under current development practices, lawns can be nearly as impervious as a parking lot. Rainwater that falls on your land should percolate through the earth to replenish the aquifer and remove impurities. Water simply runs off most lawns, carrying pollutants into the nearest water body via the storm drain system. Landscaping with native perennials, shrubs and trees allows the earth to absorb rainwater and reduces the need for harmful pesticides and fertilizers. Learn more

2. Report beach access barriers
We can’t foster better stewardship of the coast if people don’t have access to the beach. If you see a new barrier that keeps people from a local beach or have a personal experience that bars you from the beach, we’d like to hear about it. The beach belongs to everyone. Contact dery@littoralsociety.org. To learn more

3. Oppose inappropriate development
Even in the face of sea level rise and increasingly extreme storms, some financial and political powers persist in promoting development projects that threaten coastal habitat, wildlife, and resources important to the quality of life of all, not to mention putting people and property directly in harm’s way. When such projects loom, attend meetings, write to your local, county, and state officials, and the press.  To learn more

4. Count Horseshoe Crabs
Scientists don’t have enough information about how many horseshoe crabs there are and many state environmental agencies are calling upon the public to help them gather data. Census are conducted during the spawning season when crabs come onto the bay beaches. In the Northeast and mid-Atlantic this happens during May and June. In the South, it will be earlier. To participate in the New Jersey count through the American Littoral Society, e-mail jim@littoralsociety.org.

5. Discourage balloon releases
Balloons may be pretty and attract attention for your party or event, but when released into the air, they eventually burst and end up in the water, where sea birds, fish and whales mistake them for jellyfish and eat them or become entangled in the remnants. Many states have legislation in place or pending to prohibit mass balloon releases. To learn more

6. Report degraded habitat
When you are out fishing, hiking or kayaking along the Jersey Shore or along one of our many coastal lakes or rivers, and you notice degraded habitat, report it to the American Littoral Society so that we can add it to our coastal habitat restoration inventory. To report degraded habitat in NJ, download our inventory form. To report degraded habitat in other states or to get more information, contact Bill Shadel at bill@littoralsociety.org

7. Don’t litter
Whether you litter on the beach or ten  miles from the beach, this thoughtless act condemns sea birds, fish, and other coastal wildlife to cruel and painful deaths by starvation, strangulation, or other impacts of ingestion or entanglement with plastics, Styrofoam, fishing line and tackle, and other refuse. Dispose of litter in designated receptacles or take it home!   '

8. Tag fish
The American Littoral Society fish tagging program encourages sustainable catch and release fishing practices while engaging recreational anglers to gather much needed data about where fish go and how they grow. Our data matters and is input to the National Marine Fisheries Service database at Woods Hole, MA, where it is used by scientists throughout the world. To learn more

9. Never dump into storm drains
Storm drains lead directly into the nearest stream, lake, river, bay or ocean. Whatever you put into them—oil from your car, chlorinated water from your pool, that bucket of deck cleaner—will harm fish, birds, and wildlife and the beaches where you swim, boat, and fish.

10. Support the cause of your choice
Whether you give time and talent to ongoing projects, mail in your annual dues, or convince your employer to make a gift, supporting an environmental group or watershed association helps protect the environment in your community, your state, your country and the world. These groups share resources and knowledge with each other and with the public and accomplish amazing things. Join the American Littoral Society

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