Photos by Lori Romick

Volunteers transformed the grounds of the Coastal Center during a Sunday outdoor community service day. An energetic Milford ShopRite Team Green and volunteers from Apple Inc.’s Trumbull office, tackled a wide variety of projects to clear and refresh the gardens and trails, with results that will benefit resident wildlife and seasonal visitors of all kinds.

In just one day they:

• created a milkweed garden for our “Help the Monarchs” program
• weeded, edged, and mulched the pollinator garden
• created a new raised bed flower garden at the kiosk area
• cleared and replanted the front entrance flower garden
• raked horse chestnuts and composted leaves
• cleared and rotated the compost bin
• cleared trails and pruned hedges
• trimmed low-lying branches near parking area and building
• removed large invasive shrubs and small trees in areas
• built new brush piles to create protective habitats for small critters
• cleaned windows

Thanks to their time and efforts, so much was accomplished.

The Connecticut Audubon Society’s Coastal Center at Milford Point has much to offer for both members and the general public. Whether you come for a specific event, educational program, or just stop by to visit the sanctuary, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views and a wealth of information about birds and habitat of Long Island Sound’s ecosystem. 

This video was taken at last year’s Sunset Sips member event at the Coastal Center. We invite you to become a member and join us there! (Video made by Joelle Schrock.)

For other ways to support the conservation of Connecticut’s environment through science-based education and advocacy, click here. 

Terry Shaw accepting the first annual “Connecticut Audubon Osprey Conservationist of the Year Award”.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the Coastal Center’s annual Return of the Osprey event a great success!

In addition to welcoming Milford’s famous Osprey pair back to their nest in the Charles E. Wheeler Wildlife Management area, this sold out event benefits the Center’s conservation and environmental education programs.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the inaugural “Connecticut Audubon Osprey Conservationist of the Year Award” to Terry Shaw, for more than 30 years of work dedicated to preserving and protecting the state’s Osprey population.

Generous event support was gratefully appreciated from sponsors, Wakefern Food Corporation, Milford Boat Works and Carol Dunn, as well as from all who donated food and auction items.

The Connecticut Audubon Society presented Louise Crocco, whose warmth has welcomed thousands to the Coastal Center at Milford Point, with its Dave Engelman Volunteer Benchmark Award at its annual meeting on Sunday, Oct. 15 in Sherman.

Louise was one of four recipients of the award, which was established in 1993.

Read more here.

General Information

The boardwalk leading to the Sound. Photo courtesy of Anthony Donofrio.

Connecticut Audubon Society’s Coastal Center at Milford Point is located on an 8.4-acre barrier beach, next to the 840-acre Charles Wheeler Salt Marsh and Wildlife Management Area at the mouth of the Housatonic River.

The Coastal Center promotes the awareness and preservation of Long Island Sound’s ecosystem, and the birds and habitats it supports. Visitors to the center have access to the Sound and to tidal salt marshes, barrier beaches, tide pools, and coastal dunes.

The Coastal Center is a bird-watcher’s paradise – 315 species have been seen here, including many rarities.

We offer a full range of educational programs and events for families, children, and adults.

The Coastal Center provides educational exhibits, a tide pool demonstration tank, a salt-marsh laboratory, and program and meeting rooms.

The Coastal Center’s grounds encompass the 8-acre Smith-Hubbell Wildlife Refuge and Bird Sanctuary, a boardwalk and three other observation platforms, including a 70-foot covered  tower for panoramic vistas.

Viewers from around the world watch the Center’s seasonal Osprey Cam, operated from our 18-foot tall nesting platform.