Between Moon Tides – Saving the Saltmarsh Sparrow In-Person
In a ribbon of saltmarsh in coastal New England, an intergenerational group of citizen scientists is trying to save the Saltmarsh Sparrow from extinction, one nest at a time. Join us on Tuesday, May 6 at 7 pm for a community screening of the new documentary by Jason Jaacks, Between Moon Tides, followed by a discussion featuring the co-directors of the Saltmarsh Sparrow Research Initiative, Steve Reinert, Jim O’Neill and Deirdre Robinson, along with Research Assistant Joel Eckerson.
The Saltmarsh Sparrow has often been referred to as the “canary in the coal mine” for rising sea levels due to global warming. It has successfully built nests only an inch above the ground for thousands of years.
Dependent upon healthy salt marshes on the East Coast of the US, the Saltmarsh Sparrow’s population has diminished by 75% since the 1990s. It lives nowhere else in the world and could become extinct by mid-century due to flooding, depredation and habitat loss.
Free and open to all. Registration required.
Between Moon Tides: The Documentary
Between Moon Tides follows an intergenerational group of citizen scientists in coastal New England as they attempt to save the Saltmarsh Sparrow from extinction — one nest at a time. Against the backdrop of rising sea levels, three retirees and a young intern forge deep bonds while scouring the saltmarsh, banding birds and witnessing firsthand the devastating effects of climate change.
Through stunning visuals and intimate storytelling, the film reveals how a disappearing bird serves as both a warning and a call to action. Yet, at its heart, Between Moon Tides is a love story—about nature, mentorship and the hope that comes from refusing to give up, even in the face of impossible odds.
Part of the 2025 Barrington Land Conservation Trust Learning Series.
