At the eastern edge of Long Island Sound sits Great Gull Island (GGI), home to 40,000 nesting terns  - including 5,000 endangered Roseate Terns. Terns have lived on GGI for centuries, but their path has not always been easy. From 1897 to 1949, the island was used as a military base, and the terns disappeared. With the end of WWII, the American Museum of Natural History acquired the island and, under the leadership of Dr. Helen Hays, painstakingly restored the landscape so terns could thrive once more. Today, GGI is the longest-running seabird research station in the US, with more than 55 years of data on record. Moreover, GGI has provided field training opportunities for hundreds of young scientists.
 
However, there are many challenges that threaten the island habitat, including sea level rise, warming water, erosion, and crumbling Army structures. To protect this vital habitat, we need a clear Conservation Plan. Click the link below to read or download the plan.