the beach between low and high tide. The American Littoral Society is a national, nonprofit, public-interest organization comprised of over 6,000 professional and amateur naturalists, with headquarters in Sandy Hook, New Jersey.
The American Littoral Society is not a book club! It gets its name from the Latin litus meaning beach or coastal. We are an environmental organization concerned about issues that affect the littoral zone: that area on the beach between low and high tide. The American Littoral Society is a national, nonprofit, public-interest organization comprised of over 6,000 professional and amateur naturalists, with headquarters in Sandy Hook, New Jersey.
The Northeast Chapter, with headquarters in Broad Channel, NY, is comprised of members in New York, the New England states, and Canada. Don Riepe, Chapter Director, is a noted wildlife photographer. Don is also the Jamaica Bay Guardian, an American Littoral Society program funded by a Jamaica Bay wetlands violation settlement imposed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Littorally Speaking, newsletter of the society, is edited by Eileen Kennedy and Barbara Toborg. Beach Cleanup Coordinator for New York State is Barbara Cohen.
The society seeks to encourage a better scientific and public understanding of the marine environment, provide a unified voice advocating protection of the delicate fabric of life along the shore, and has been protecting coastal habitats and bringing people together with the sea since 1961. The littoral zone is the source of nutrients that energize the sea. This area is also a great magnet for people. 70% of the U.S. population lives within 50 miles of the shore, severely stressing marine habitat, damaging shellfish beds, reducing breeding grounds, and squeezing wildlife out of dwindling habitat.
We use public education, the media, legislation, field trips and litigation to send our message of habitat protection and law enforcement. Publications, educational programs and field trips keep members abreast of current issues.
| As a member, you would receive: Littorally Speaking, Underwater Naturalist, and Coastal Reporter |  |
 | Shelter juvenile fish and shrimp |
 | Provide nesting sites for waterfowl |
 | Help shellfish beds produce their bounty |
 | Ensure survival of barrier islands and their dune systems |