Kim Abplanalp on the Common Tern Raft Program

In 1991, 1268 pairs of Common Tern bred in Maryland’s coastal bays; by 2020, this population segment had declined to less than 35 pairs and is now a state-listed endangered species. The decline is the result of habitat deterioration as sea-level rise accelerates island erosion and loss. In 2021, a 1024-square-foot floating-island raft was constructed and deployed to provide critically needed breeding habitat for the terns. The raft was enlarged to its permanent size (2304 square feet) in 2022. Please join Kim Abplanalp as she shares the scientific process to restore this important species back to its historical levels by creating and monitoring innovative breeding habitat.