Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary is expanding its citizen science program to protect coastal birds and wildlife by involving citizens, working side by side with scientists, to protect the nature of Martha’s Vineyard.

Island students are already monitoring salamander populations, citizen volunteers are surveying spawning horseshoe crabs and scientists are protecting breeding coastal birds including plovers, terns and oystercatchers. Increased monitoring of dragonflies has led to the discovery of a new dragonfly species for the Island and breeding bird surveys help us to observe changes in seasonal bird populations.

Thanks to grants from the Edey Foundation, Farm Neck Foundation and Permanent Endowment of Martha’s Vineyard, Felix Neck’s citizen science program will now include the coastal waterbird program. A new position, coastal waterbird and citizen science program coordinator, has been created and will be based at Felix Neck to oversee this initiative.

Felix Neck’s science program protects wildlife and engages people in its protection. Horseshoe crab survey volunteer Judy Miller described her experience with Felix Neck’s citizen science program this way: “One of the most meaningful activities I have been involved with since my retirement and move to Martha’s Vineyard has been doing the horseshoe crab counts with Felix Neck. I spent my career as a teacher and teacher educator. I taught teachers-to-be that the more authentic and real the experience of learning is, the deeper the learning. Pacing the shoreline and collaborating with others to collect data results in deeper understanding and greater commitment to the environment than listening to a lecturer or reading a textbook.”

Felix Neck needs your help. Their conservation science efforts are only possible through the work of dedicated volunteers, who learn while doing — please contact Felix Neck at felixneck@massaudubon.org or 508-627-4850 if you are interested in participating in these research and monitoring programs.