Connecticut Sea Grant and the Connecticut College Arboretum have announced the publication of “Connecticut’s Sandy Shores: An Introduction to the Geology, Plants and Animals,” a 130-page guidebook with dozens of color photos and illustrations along with explanatory text about the ecology, geology, common species and why Connecticut’s sandy beaches differ from many others along the Atlantic seaboard.

Printed on water resistant paper, the book is intended as an educational companion for visits to the shoreline by anyone interested in learning about the coastal environment, including formal and informal educators, birders, artists, students and the general public.

“Our hope in developing this guide is that people can take this guide to the beach in any season and appreciate and understand this highly dynamic system, especially in light of the changing climate and its impacts on Connecticut’s shoreline,” said Juliana Barrett, CT Sea Grant coastal habitat specialist, UConn extension educator and lead author.

Barrett oversaw creation of the book, which includes a main section written by retired State Geologist Ralph Lewis, and contributions from CTSG Associate Director Nancy Balcom, Communications Coordinator Judy Benson and Education Coordinator Diana Payne. Content was reviewed by local subject matter experts and numerous photographers provided eye-catching bird, invertebrate, plant and aerial photos. A centerfold painted by artist John Sargent of Waterford shows a composite of the various elements of the shoreline environment, from coastal forest to dunes to the water’s edge.

Funding for production and printing of the book was provided by CT Sea Grant, the Arboretum and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It is a companion to a previous CT Sea Grant-Arboretum publication, “Salt Marsh Plants of Long Island Sound.”

Copies are available for $18 plus postage costs by sending a request to: michelle.marcaurele@uconn.edu or to: arbor@conncoll.edu