In 2019, the Saint John Naturalists Club, with our partners Irving Nature Park (J.D. Irving, Ltd.) and Nature NB, successfully engaged with the public for the first time on the conservation threat posed by human disturbance of shorebirds roosting on Saints Rest Beach. The project has since gained momentum and has become a major project of the Saint John Naturalists Club.
The Shorebird Education and Conservation Project (SCEP) runs at Saints Rest Beach during high tide in August and September. Counters and educators engage beachgoers about shorebird life history, migration, and the need for undisturbed rest at high tide. Visitors are encouraged to detour quietly around birds and leash their dogs. A lead counter records bird numbers each shift for data analysis and trend tracking.
Originally a volunteer-led weekend effort, the project expanded to include weekday shifts staffed by a paid counter. Future plans include surveying additional regional beaches to assess their value as shorebird feeding and resting areas.
Support our work by becoming a volunteer
Join our mission of protecting the shorebirds and their habitats by promoting awareness and education. With shifts on weekends as short as 2.5 hours, you have the flexibility to contribute based on your availability. By assisting beach visitors in understanding the significance of leashing dogs and respecting resting areas, you actively contribute to shorebird conservation.
Active Season: August 23rd – September 21st
Location: Saints Rest Beach, Irving Nature Park, Saint John NB
Time Commitment: 2.5 hour shifts on weekends during the season, choose as little or as many as you like. We offer a volunteer training session prior to the season to equip you with all you’ll need to know about the project.
Saint’s Rest Marsh & Beach is an Important Bird Area and considered a globally significant site for migrating shorebirds. For more information, click here.
Annual Reports:
Shorebird Conservation and Education Project 2024 Report
Shorebird Conservation and Education Project 2023 Report
Shorebird Conservation and Education Project 2022 Report
Shorebird Conservation and Education Project 2021 Report
Shorebird Conservation and Education Project 2019 Report
Shorebird Conservation and Education Project Committee:
Hank Scarth (Chair)
Brigitte Greene
Annie Tremblay
Kate Jankowski (Ex-officio)
Nancy Hamilton
Want to help?