Shorebird Conservation and Education

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) involves visits by volunteers to the Saints Rest Beach during the 2.5 hour period around high tide on eight consecutive weekends during August and September. Our volunteers wear blue volunteer “pinnies”, engage with beach visitors and initiate conversations about the shorebirds of the park including their life history, migration and the importance of allowing the birds the opportunity to rest on the beach at high tide. Beach visitors are asked to detour quietly around the birds and to consider leashing their dogs. The lead volunteer on each shift counts the birds on the beach during the shift for later data analysis and to recognize trends.

In 2022, the project expanded by introducing weekday shifts by an official counter. Future plans for this project include surveying other beaches in the region to assess their importance 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 19th – September 17th

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.