Sunken Meadow Marsh Restoration

Audubon is working towards designing and completing a 78-acre salt marsh restoration project within Sunken Meadow State Park on the north shore of Long Island. This project addresses lingering impacts of 60+ years of severely restricted tidal flow in the creek that was alleviated by a dam failure during Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

While improved tidal flow has helped the ecosystem recover, there are significant improvements we can help make to bring it back to full health.

The marsh platform is low in the tidal frame and invasive common reed (Phragmites australis) remains prevalent along the marsh interior. In addition, there has been a drastic conversion of marsh to mudflat since the 1950s.

This restoration project will address these issues and improve resilience to sea level rise. Marsh habitat will be restored using a suite of techniques including elevation enhancement (Phase 1), hydrological repair (Phase 2), and invasive species control (Phase 3).

FLYING TOWARDS PHASE I

Thanks to a $1.5 million National Fish and Wildlife grant award, Audubon is flying towards "Phase 1" of the project, moving sediment from the creek channels and placing it on the marsh platform to raise elevation, restoring 14 acres of salt marsh (four acres of high marsh and 10 acres of low marsh). These efforts will create a more resilient marsh that improves critical habitat for nesting Saltmarsh Sparrows, and protects the community in the face of sea level rise.

Engaging in Community Science

The project has provided educational opportunities for high school students in Title 1 school districts to learn about salt marshes, attend field trips to Long Island marshes, and participate in our Salt Marsh Stewards program. The students participated in community science by experimenting with techniques to grow salt marsh grasses in their classrooms.