Since 2006, the Branford Land Trust has assisted Sacred Heart University with Project Limulus, a horseshoe crab study. The Land Trust helps coordinate the volunteers who conduct surveys on Branford beaches. Project Limulus, started in 1998, has conducted multiple studies focusing on the life history of the American horseshoe crab population living in Long Island Sound.
During the time the Branford Land Trust has assisted with this project, over 4,000 horseshoe crabs with the help of volunteers who visit the beach day and night during spawning season. Important information has been gathered including whether the tagged crabs are returning to the same tagging location, how many females and males, what condition are the crabs in, and what age are the crabs being surveyed.
