DU has helped protect nearly a half-mile of Atlantic Coast shoreline for wildlife habitat and human recreation in Westport, Mass.

The ecologically significant Richmond Pond Wildlife Sanctuary is a 24-acre coastal wetland, which provides habitat for breeding and migrating birds such as American black ducks, northern pintails, common eiders and Canada geese. It's also prime habitat for the endangered piping plover and a variety of significant shorebirds, including commons terns and American oystercatchers.

The sanctuary will provide public access for walking, beach combing, bird watching, nature observation and leashed dog walking. It's also a popular hunting location for waterfowlers.

Ducks Unlimited partnered on the project with Westport Land Conservation Trust on acquiring the land for protection.

This partnership represents continued efforts by DU to protect critical wetland habitat along the Atlantic coast for waterfowl.