Great Lakes Projects

Eastern Lake Ontario Marshes Restoration

Our Goals
Restore and care for the wetlands that vulnerable marsh birds need in the North Country of Upstate New York.
What We’re Doing
We’re restoring 2,750 acres of coastal wetlands in the region and working with land managers to protect or manage an additional 13,250 acres of vital wetland habitat for mash birds.
Drone picture of Lakeview Wildlife Management Area.
Lakeview Wildlife Management Area. Photo: Ducks Unlimited.

Eastern Lake Ontario Marshes region contains one of the largest inland dune systems in the eastern Great Lakes and some of the highest-quality freshwater marshes in New York.  

The Eastern Lake Ontario Marshes region has been identified by Audubon scientists as one of the 12 most important coastal wetland regions across the Great Lakes that are most important to conserve or restore for vulnerable marsh birds. These vitally important wetland complexes support many migrating and breeding birds, including vulnerable species such as the American Bittern, Least Bittern, Sedge Wren and Great Lakes Piping Plovers.  

We work with partners in the region to restore wetlands and coordinate management of sites that supports healthy and resilient wetlands habitat.

Lakeview Wildlife Management Area Wetlands Restoration 

In 2019, we began working alongside local and national partners such as Ducks Unlimited, New York Department of Environmental Conservation, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Great Lakes Commission to restore an expanse of precious coastal wetlands and open water in Lakeview Wildlife Management Area in the town of Ellisburg, Jefferson County. Many wildlife species, including local and migratory birds, depend on these habitats to winter, breed, and thrive, including at-risk species such as the Common Loon, Pied-billed Grebe, American Bittern and Sedge Wren.

Historic water level management of Lake Ontario and invasive species altered wetlands, making it difficult for wildlife within them to thrive. To enhance wetlands conditions, the project utilized a technique known as “channeling and potholing” to improve the flow of water, diversify water depth and increase the ability of wildlife to move between areas of suitable habitat. The project also addressed invasive species, which can take over landscapes and make it difficult for birds to thrive. This crucial restoration now provides essential wetland and open-water habitat that fish and birds rely on, supporting wildlife that have existed there for generations.

Work to restore wetlands in Lakeview Wildlife Management Area has since expanded to include additional partners and is ongoing.