Assateague's beaches and islands in the Coastal Bays also support other birds at-risk like Least Tern, Black Skimmer and American Oystercatcher, as well as large numbers of migrant shorebirds. The Coastal Bays support 30,000 wintering waterfowl, breeding colonies of terns and wadingbirds, and a diverse community of saltmarsh breeding species, such as the globally vulnerable Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow.

Assateague Island IBA and Maryland Coastal Bays IBAs not only protect vulnerable birds and their habitats, but also add significantly to Worcester County's tourism industry, attracting birders and wildlife watchers from all over the United States. For example, the unique combination of habitats and great diversity of birds at these sites help to make the Ocean City Christmas Bird Count the best attended Christmas Bird Count in Maryland, with local hotels and restaurants benefitting from an off-season boost.

ACT joins the National Audubon Society Maryland-DC chapter in hoping that the public recognition of the conservation value and the ecotourism value of the Assateague Island and Maryland Coastal Bays Important Bird Areas will continue to promote land conservation on Maryland's lower eastern shore.