Crane Beach has one of the largest populations in the world of the federally threatened Piping Plover and also provides nesting habitat for threatened least and common terns. In summer, several thousand shorebirds use Crane Beach as a critical feeding and resting habitat during their several thousand mile annual migration between the Arctic and South America. In addition, several species of mammals are readily observed including white-tailed deer, red squirrels, red fox, and opossum. Historic Features None significant. Working Features None significant.
Crane Beach is managed for both conservation and recreation - wildlife and people.
Of foremost importance is the protection of this natural resource. Crane Beach provides important habitat for numerous rare plants, invertebrates, mammals, birds, shellfish, and finfish. Sand dunes are very fragile and do not tolerate high levels of disturbance. Healthy dunes protect wildlife and diverse ecosystems and also provide storm damage protection to inland development. Visitors are encouraged to stay on designated trails.