“Audubon New York is grateful for Governor Andrew Cuomo’s leadership in protecting Long Island Sound, which is one of the richest veins of biodiversity on the planet and essential to the survival of migrating shorebirds and waterbirds of the Atlantic Flyway,” said Erin Crotty Executive Director of Audubon New York. “Governor Cuomo’s decisive action to prevent the ocean disposal of dredged material directly into the Sound preserves the quality of life for the people and wildlife of Long Island while protecting the billions of dollars New York has invested in restoring the Long Island Sound ecosystem.”

Long Island Sound provides critical breeding, wintering and stopover habitat to a number of priority birds. Species like the federally threatened Piping Plover, federally endangered Roseate Tern, and American Oystercatcher rely on Long Island’s coast to breed as does the rare Saltmarsh Sparrow. Thousands of waterfowl rely on the open, productive waters during migration and winter. More than two dozen Important Bird Areas (IBAs) have been designated within the Long Island ecosystem. The IBA program is an international bird conservation initiative that identifies, monitors, and protects habitats critical to the success of bird populations. For more information on Audubon New York’s IBA program, click here: http://ny.audubon.org/conservation/what-important-bird-area

For a map of the 27 Long Island IBAs, click here: http://ny.audubon.org/conservation/long-island-important-bird-areas

For more information on Audubon New York’s Long Island Sound advocacy work, click here: http://ny.audubon.org/conservation/restoring-long-island-sound

As a leading state program of the National Audubon Society, Audubon New York (Audubon NY) leads our network of 50,000 members, 27 local Audubon Chapters, seven sanctuaries and nature centers and our thousands of annual visitors, volunteers, and partners throughout the state. Audubon achieves its mission to protect birds and their habitats by connecting our vast and powerful network along the migratory flyways of the Americas through science, advocacy, education and on-the-conservation programs.  Learn more at ny.audubon.org and @audubonny