For More Information

Contact Amy Suveg

Did you know that our backyard is home to over 300,000 shorebirds every single year? And that some of those birds might travel thousands of miles to rest and refuel on our shores, while other species might need our beaches to raise their chicks. Shorebirds are one of the most migratory groups of species and are able to accomplish tremendous feats despite their small size and the harsh conditions that they face. While their story is inspiring, it can also be perilous. Shorebird populations are declining, and the conservation actions needed to protect the places they rely on requires both large scale cooperation and site-specific action. Manomet, a non-profit organization that focuses on coastal conservation through collaborative science and partnership, launched the Georgia Bight Shorebird Conservation Initiative five years ago to help protect the critical places shorebirds need. Join us to learn more about the amazing ecology of the shorebirds that rely on the Georgia Coast, highlight ongoing conservation projects of the Georgia Bight Shorebird Conservation Initiative, and learn how you can help protect these incredible birds.

Speaker Bios:
Dr. Abby Sterling is Manomet’s Director of the Georgia Bight Shorebird Conservation Initiative, which focuses on sustaining shorebird populations within the Atlantic Flyway by increasing attention to the Southeast. By working with the stakeholders actively involved in shorebird conservation, identifying research and management objectives, building education and outreach efforts, and increasing partnerships, she hopes to achieve measurable progress for shorebird conservation along the South Carolina, Georgia and Northern Florida coasts. Abby earned her doctorate from the University of Georgia, where she studied how habitat and landscape features influence beach nesting shorebirds and chick survival. Prior to working on her degree, she lived on Little St. Simons Island, where she worked as a naturalist guide and assisted on a variety of environmental projects. She currently lives in Athens with her husband, her 2 year old son, and her dog.

 

Allie Hayser, shorebird biologist with Manomet’s Georgia Bight Shorebird Conservation Initiative, is working to expand ongoing shorebird programs in outreach, education, and conservation. She is focused on projects that work to manage disturbance of migrating shorebirds, understanding horseshoe crab populations, programming and education for ecotourism, and developing stewardship programs. Allie grew up on Tybee Island, Georgia. In her free time, she enjoys boating, surfing, reading, running, and birding. She attended Georgia Southern University with a B.S in Biology, a B.S in Geology, and minored in Geography. During college, Allie worked with a sea turtle program on Saint Catherine’s Island, where she also studied barrier island formation and horseshoe crab ecology. After college, she worked for several conservation, education, and research programs in California, North Carolina, and Georgia, as well as a surf instructor in Nicaragua. In the past, Allie has worked with Georgia Department of Natural Resources in projects involving American Oystercatchers, Red Knots, Whimbrels, and other local species of shorebirds along the barrier islands across the Georgia coast.
PAY-WHAT-YOU-WANT PRICING: $0-$15

REGISTER HERE

Did you know Manomet is a nonprofit organization that depends on the generosity of people like you? Supporting Manomet means reversing the decline of shorebirds from Alaska to the tip of Argentina, building resilient coastal communities, inspiring the next generation of conservationists, and so much more. Please consider donating today.