The Hampton-Seabrook Estuary is what people driving on Rt. 1 or Rt. 101 first see on their way to the area beaches. The sight of the broad expanse of green salt marsh and blue waters makes people relax, and makes them smile. Even though the estuary doesn't get as much publicity as the beaches, it is as critical a part of our environment, and our lives.

The Seabrook-Hamptons Estuary Alliance (SHEA) is a non-profit organization that has functioned as the voice of our estuary since 2013:

Advocating for research to inform science-based restoration and management activities to maintain a well-functioning salt marsh and estuary;
Promoting healthy hatcheries and habitats to keep our abundant aquatic and avian wildlife strong;
Offering outreach and education so everyone understands the benefits our communities receive from the estuary and the roles they can play in keeping this vital and vibrant ecosystem functioning, while also benefiting from its services and enjoying the many and varied recreational opportunities.

In 2023, SHEA created an Estuary Management Plan with 5 goals and over 150 Action Items to guide our work and the efforts of the towns and partners that share the estuary, without regard to political boundaries. We administer a small grant program to provide funding for projects that will address Action Items in the Estuary Management Plan.

With your support in 2026 and beyond, we are committed to continuing our efforts to:

Offer webinars and workshops to educate municipal officials and property owners about the value of a healthy salt marsh and estuary, and about making their properties more resilient to tidal flooding impacts.
Introduce experiential learning opportunities for 6th-grade students at Seabrook Middle School to learn about the estuary that is outside their back door, and host a 'Lunch With A Scientist' program for 7th and 8th-grade students to help them start thinking about career paths that may interest them. We also initiated a year-end kayak tour of the estuary for graduating 8th-grade students.
Plan and host meetings of the Hampton-Seabrook Estuary Collaborative, an assembly of private and local, regional, state, and federal organizations that individually and collaboratively work to increase our understanding of the estuary’s health, and to ensure that its essential services are preserved.
Continue to advance a 3-year project to create the first-ever baseline assessment of a wide range of indicators that will help everyone understand the health of the estuary,
Host a series of annual kayak tours of the estuary to help residents and visitors gain an appreciation for its beauty and functionality from the unique water-level perspective. water
Create educational signage around the estuary to help residents and visitors learn what makes an estuary unique, and why they are so important to us.

Your support makes it possible for SHEA to continue our work to ensure that the estuary's voice is loud and clear, and that the estuary in our backyards will remain beautiful and resilient so that we all can benefit from the many services it provides.

Please make a tax-deductible donation today and make your voice heard so the estuary's voice can also be heard!

Support SHEA, 2026