Green eggs & sand, team Limulus, and more: Educating for horseshoe crab conservation in the United States

Abstract

Efforts to educate people about the American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, have expanded greatly in the United States in recent years. This article provides highlights of fi ve high profi le programs, including: Ecological Research & Development Group's (ERDG) Horseshoe Crab Conservation Network ™, the Green Eggs & Sand project, Raising Horseshoe Crabs in the Classroom, Team Limulus and Crab App. These programs represent a variety of approaches taken to increase public awareness, promote stewardship, and deepen understanding of the unique life history, ecological connections and human uses of this ancient species. The article includes profi les of programs targeting bayshore homeowners, teachers, school children and volunteer monitoring groups. Selected links and references to additional resources for horseshoe crab education are also provided.