Expansion of local sanctuary network important for Bayshore's ecological balance.
Delaware’s community-led efforts to protect horseshoe crabs has expanded with the addition of Big Stone Beach to a network of local sanctuaries. The initiative, spearheaded by Glenn Gauvry and his organization, the Ecological Research & Development Group (ERDG), focuses on both preserving the ancient species and involving local communities in conservation efforts.
Since its inception in the late 1990s, ERDG has promoted horseshoe crab conservation through research, public education, and the creation of “backyard sanctuaries” along Delaware’s coastline. Big Stone Beach is the latest site to join this network. The sanctuaries aim to educate the public and protect horseshoe crabs, which are crucial for the Delaware Bay ecosystem and serve as a vital food source for migratory shorebirds like the endangered red knot.
The program encourages local homeowners to participate by registering with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). This helps prevent horseshoe crab harvesting on their properties, avoid shoreline modifications that disrupt crab spawning, and supports the Just Flip ‘Em Program, which educates the public on rescuing stranded horseshoe crabs.
Overall, these efforts reflect a broader community-driven conservation strategy aimed at preserving both the horseshoe crabs and the ecological balance of the Delaware Bay.
Horseshoe crabs begin migrating to the Delaware coast every May, and with them, migrating birds who feed off their eggs.
