The Coastal Center at Milford Point is one of the largest of the 30 monitored Purple Martin colonies in the state. For Purple Martins, conservation efforts are essential. The birds build nests only in man-made houses — often plastic or natural gourds. Your adoption of a Purple Martin gourd will greatly aid our citizen science efforts. Coastal Center volunteers monitor and maintain the nests throughout the April to August season, which helps the nestlings survive and fledge at a higher rate.

With each adoption there will be:

• A numbered, paper cut-out gourd, including your chosen name, to be hung inside at the Center. A matching numbered gourd will be placed outside for the Purple Martins.
• Weekly updates will be sent as the season progresses (via email) of the gourds that have nests being built in them.
• A copy of the end of season report.

By adopting a Purple Martin gourd, you will be helping to provide housing for this human-dependent songbird. Purple Martin gourd adoptions also make great gifts for members of your family or friends! A limited amount of gourds are available. Adoption fees are $50 per gourd. Click here to adopt your gourd today!

October 1, 2018 – The Connecticut Audubon Society has named Shari Greenblatt as its new Southwest Regional Director, responsible for leading two of its busiest centers in Fairfield and Milford, as well as the historic Birdcraft Museum and Sanctuary in Fairfield.

For each center, Greenblatt will oversee operations and year-round staff, as well as seasonal naturalist educators. With their adjoining wildlife sanctuaries, the centers in Fairfield and Milford are key locations for Connecticut Audubon’s award-winning Science in Nature outdoor education programs, as well as for busy summer day camps, bird walks, lectures and other activities.

Greenblatt is a seasoned non-profit professional with more than 20 years of experience in fundraising and project management. She comes to Connecticut Audubon from the Special Projects Department of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), one of the country’s leading international environmental organizations. (more…)

Local rite of spring honored Milford resident Carol Dunn and Wakefern Food Corp./Shoprite/Garafalo Markets for their contributions to local environmental sustainability

Against a backdrop of the sun setting over the 840-acre Charles Wheeler Wildlife Management Area, the Connecticut Audubon Society’s Coastal Center in Milford hosted its annual Return of the Osprey event, Saturday, April 13. The sold-out gathering is the largest yearly fundraising event at the Center. It supports the Center’s work to promote awareness and preservation of Long Island Sound’s ecosystem, and the conservation and environmental education programs and activities offered throughout the year.

After a warm welcome from Connecticut Audubon’s Southwest Regional Director Shari Greenblatt, a highlight of the evening was the recognition of key community contributors to the Center’s efforts. Connecticut Audubon Executive Director Patrick Comins presented the Volunteer Appreciation Award to Carol Dunn who has been actively involved with the organization for 22 years. Dunn serves on the Milford Regional Board, is a docent, and since 1994 has been monitoring 20+ Osprey nests for Connecticut’s DEEP. She is also responsible for the installation and monitoring of monofilament collection bins, including one at the Center. “Carol is one of the biggest supporters and protectors of Osprey, and a truly dedicated citizen scientist,” stated Comins.

The Corporate Recognition Award was presented to Harry Garafalo of Wakefern Food Corp./Shoprite/Garafalo Markets. Wakefern/Shoprite and Harry Garafalo have been supportive of the Center and the Return of the Osprey event for many years. “In addition to ShopRite’s sponsorship of this event, we are grateful to their employees who come every year for a volunteer workday at the Center,” said Comins. “Their commitment to sustainability makes them valuable environmental partners in this community. And their leadership and support inspires many others to share that awareness of, and dedication to, environmental stewardship and conservation.”

(more…)

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. 

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.