A Summer of Momentum at Crab Meadow Marsh

Perhaps the most exciting moment of the summer came when representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service discovered a Saltmarsh Sparrow nest hidden among the marsh vegetation.

The discovery was especially encouraging because Saltmarsh Sparrows have not successfully hatched at Crab Meadow in several years. An ornithologist on the team who is also a licensed bander identified two nests, including one containing chicks just days away from fledging. As part of a regional monitoring program, the nestlings were briefly handled and banded with unique identification numbers before being returned to their nest. The ornithologist confirmed that the parent bird quickly returned, ensuring minimal disturbance.

The finding highlights the importance of the upcoming restoration project, which aims to improve approximately 250 acres of marsh habitat. A primary goal of the effort is to create conditions where Saltmarsh Sparrows and other marsh-dependent wildlife can thrive once again.

Community Volunteers Help Clean the Marsh

With golf carts and collection buckets provided by Crab Meadow Golf Course, more than 20 teen and adult volunteers from AWARE Drug and Alcohol Community Coalition and the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center helped remove stray golf balls that had accumulated in the marsh.

 The recovered balls were returned to the course, where they were cleaned and put back into use or properly disposed of.

The cleanup was the first event in a series of ongoing stewardship opportunities. It demonstrated the value of strong community partnerships as restoration planning continues.

"Salt Marsh Stewards" Program Participants Test New Solutions to Old Mosquito Ditches

Another important milestone this summer involved testing an innovative approach to restoring historic mosquito ditches.

These ditches were dug throughout many coastal marshes during the 1930s as part of public works programs aimed at controlling mosquitoes. Over time, many of them have widened and altered the natural hydrology of marsh ecosystems, reducing their resilience to sea level rise and other environmental stressors.

At Crab Meadow, high-school aged Saltmarsh Stewards began testing a pilot technique that uses organic materials to help trap sediment and gradually fill the ditches. The goal is to restore natural marsh connectivity and improve overall ecosystem health. If successful, the approach could be expanded and applied more broadly throughout the marsh restoration project.

Preparing for Restoration Through Research and Design

Behind the scenes, significant progress was also made in collecting the scientific data needed to guide restoration design.

Project engineers and environmental specialists from EA Engineering and Sovereign Consulting continued gathering information and refining plans for the future restoration effort. Elevation surveys, habitat assessments, and other field investigations are helping the team better understand existing marsh conditions and identify opportunities to improve habitat and enhance ecosystem function.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Education and community engagement remained a key part of the project this summer. Audubon staff partnered with a local summer camp program, engaging 140 children across two week-long sessions. Through hands-on activities and guided exploration, campers learned about marsh ecosystems, the wildlife that depends on them, and the restoration work taking place at Crab Meadow.

Looking Ahead

Restoration planning is advancing quickly, and each of these efforts contributes to a shared goal: creating a healthier, more resilient marsh that supports wildlife, protects coastal communities, and serves as a valuable natural resource for generations to come.