AMERICAN LITTORAL SOCIETY

CONSERVATION-AMERICAN LITTORAL SOCIETY RESTORES ECOLOGICALLY HEALTHY AND RESILIENT COASTAL HABITATS ALONG THE ATLANTIC COAST AND THE DELAWARE BAY REGION. THE SOCIETY LEADS THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS IN COASTAL CLEANUPS OF THE NEW YORK STATE BEACH SHORELINE. WE PLANT DUNES WITH CORPORATIONS, PRIVATE GROUPS, MUNICIPALITIES, AND SCHOOL GROUPS TO PROTECT LIFE, LIMB AND PROPERTY FROM DANGEROUS STORMS. WE ARE WORKING TO RESTORE CONNECTIVITY TO COASTAL WATERSHEDS TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY AS WELL AS PROVIDE PASSAGE FOR MIGRATORY FISH SPECIES. THE SOCIETY'S PROJECTS INCLUDE LIVING SHORLINES, A METHOD OF LAND STABILIZATION THAT PROTECTS THE SHORELINE FROM EROSION WHILE PRESERVING, ENHANCING, OR CREATING HABITAT. THE "SHUCK IT DON'T CHUCK IT" SHELL RECYCLING PROGRAM WAS CREATED BY THE SOCIETY TO RECYCLE OYSTER SHELLS FROM LOCAL RESTAURANTS. THE SHELL IS RETURNED TO THE WATER WHERE IT PROVIDES A SUBSTRATE FOR NEW OYSTERS. OYSTER SHELLS FROM RESTAURANTS ORDINARILY ENDS UP IN LANDFILLS. OYSTER REEFS ALSO PROVIDE HOMES FOR OTHER MARINE LIFE AND PROTECT SHORELINES. THE SOCIETY WORKS WITH COMMUNITIES, HOMEOWNERS, AND BUSINESSES TO REDUCE STORM RUN-OFF THROUGH GREEN STORM WATER MANAGEMENT AND WATER FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING.

ADVOCACY-EVERYTHING WE DO AT THE SOCIETY IS ABOUT THE PUBLIC TRUST. THE COAST BELONGS TO ALL OF US AND OUR ADVOCACY AND POLICY PROGRAM HAS BEEN PROTECTING THE AVERAGE PERSON AND THEIR STAKE IN THE COAST FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS. WE SPEAK OUT FOR THE COAST, MARINE LIFE AND ITS HABITATS, AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF DIVERSE COASTAL COMMUNITIES. OUR ADVOCACY IS OFTEN COMMUNITY BASED, WORKING ON THE MOST PRESSING PROBLEMS WITH THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MOST AFFECTED. WE SEEK OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND TOOLS THEY NEED TO RAISE THEIR VOICES ALONG WITH US. THE MAIN AREAS OF INTEREST WHERE THE SOCIETY ADVOCATES FOR BETTER PUBLIC POLICY TO PROTECT THE LITTORAL ZONE ARE COASTAL PUBLIC ACCESS, COASTAL LAND USE REFORM, AND NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION. A GRANT FROM THE WILLIAM PENN FOUNDATION IS PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR A STUDY TO IDENTIFY WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO REDUCE BACTERIA IN THE 27 MILE STRETCH OF THE DELAWARE RIVER FLOWING PAST PHILADELPHIA, CAMDEN, CHESTER AND WILMINGTON. WORKING WITH PEOPLE REPRESENTING ALL ASPECTS OF THE RIVER'S USE, OUR GOAL IS TO DEVELOP A "ROAD MAP" TO INCREASE EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SWIMMING AND PADDLING IN TARGETED AREAS AS WELL AS ADVANCE COMMUNITY HEALTH, PUBLIC ACCESS, AND JOB CREATION.