The Value of Our Estuary

The Hampton-Seabrook Estuary is a vast ecological system composed of salt marsh, sand dunes, beaches, tidal waters, and brackish streams. The estuary is a pivotal connector that provides habitat continuity between the Gulf of Maine to the north and the Great Marsh to the south in Massachusetts. As such, it supports critical roosting, feeding, and nesting grounds for shorebirds. and It also provides critical nesting habitat for salt marsh sparrows, a species designated as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The towns of Hampton, Hampton Falls, and Seabrook depend on the estuary for tourism, commercial and recreational fishing, recreational shellfishing, aquaculture, and critical ecosystem services such as flood protection and carbon sequestration.
Learn About the Estuary
Image

Protect & Preserve

Our Mission

Our goal is to preserve, restore and advocate for the estuary’s health and ecosystem services that provide habitat for wildlife, improve water quality, protect against flooding and support responsible recreational and commercial use.
Learn More About SHEA
Image

Connecting Communities

SHEA brings together scientists, researchers, local leaders and community members (like you!) and connects them with tools and resources that can help protect the estuary.
Browse Resources

Explore & Discover

Image
Learn About the Habitats and Wildlife In the Estuary
Geography and Ecology
The Seabrook-Hamptons Estuary is a diverse environment and a crucial habitat for many plants and animals.
Image
Read More About Land Use
Land Use and Demographics
How we live, work, and enjoy our lives in the estuary has an enormous impact on its health and resiliency.
Image
Learn About the Issues Facing Our Estuary
Issues and Risks
Understanding the issues and risks facing our estuary can help us protect our homes, our livelihood, and our communities.
Image
Learn About the Issues Facing Our Estuary
Floodsmart
Valuable tools and resources at your fingertips so that you can prepare for, recover from, and possibly prevent severe coastal flooding of your property.
Image
Check out Events & Volunteer Opportunities
How to Help
You can make a big splash and support the health of our estuary! Check out our events page for volunteer opportunities.

    Estuary Management Plan

    The Hampton-Seabrook Estuary Management Plan (EMP) aims to create a sustainable, healthy, and resilient estuary environment by using science, data, and policies to address current and future threats.
    It serves as a collaborative roadmap for the communities of Hampton, Hampton Falls, and Seabrook, along with various stakeholders, to implement effective management strategies. The EMP consolidates previous efforts into a single guiding document, enabling municipalities to align their master plans with the collective vision for the estuary.

    Get Involved

    Image
    Check upcoming & recent workshops
    Workshops
    We bring in local experts to talk about everything from wildlife and their habitat, to recreational initiatives & flood preparedness.
    Image
    Learn about our Photo contest!
    National Estuaries Week
    We celebrate National Estuaries Week with a photo and coloring contest. See recent winners, browse the galleries and submit your work!
    Image
    Learn about Grant opportunities!
    Grant Opportunities
    SHEA is proud to offer grant opportunities for projects around the estuary.