Join Allie Hayser, shorebird biologist with Manomet’s Georgia Bight Shorebird Conservation Initiative and Abby Sterling, Manomet’s Shorebird Initiatives Director for the Southern US, next month for a conversation about how science, stewardship, and ecotourism can work hand in hand to protect the coast. Allie and Abby will share how local guides and conservationists are building partnerships that ensure tourism supports the wildlife that makes these places so special.

Through the CARE Certification Program, guides become powerful allies for shorebirds and the habitats they depend on. Visitors who take a CARE Certified guided tour learn how small actions, like observing from a respectful distance or understanding the science and community behind conservation, can make a lasting difference.

The connections that Allie and Abby have cultivated along the Georgia barrier islands highlight that scientific expertise and a deep love for place can create meaningful change. Their story, and the CARE community’s story, remind us that protecting nature begins with connection, and that when people care, every visit can help keep the coast safe for shorebirds.

Link to view Official Site and Map: Coastal Awareness and Responsible Ecotourism Certification – UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant