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.
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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.
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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.
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Explore & Discover
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.