Restoration is Underway!

A Refuge of International Importance

Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge is an internationally significant coastal wetland situated along the Atlantic flyway. The refuge is one of the most important migratory stopovers in North America for birds of prey, shorebirds, song birds, and waterfowl. The preserve is also an important breeding area for rare and common birds. It is considered by federal, state and private organizations to be one of the foremost avian viewing areas in North America. It is estimated that thousands of raptors migrate through this area each year.

Environmental Impacts Over Time

Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge has been impacted over time by shoreline erosion. This erosion has left the existing freshwater ecosystem substantially degraded from saltwater intrusion and drainage pattern alteration. These disturbances, along with breaching of the dunes, have allowed the invasive plant phragmites to spread across the freshwater wetlands. Without restoration, these wetlands will lose the ability to support the rare and endangered animals and plants that live there.

Keeping the Last Great Places…GREAT!

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and The Nature Conservancy are partnering to restore the freshwater wetlands, dunes, and beach ecosystems. The project was authorized by Congress through the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 to provide ecosystem restoration and storm damage reduction. The project area extends about 2.4 miles along the southern Atlantic coast of New Jersey, encompassing 350 acres of undeveloped oceanfront land, including Cape May Point State Park and The Nature Conservancy’s Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge.

To access a video aired on South Jersey Video Magazine featuring Brent Burke, Outreach Manager for the Nature Conservancy of New Jersey, about the restoration project being conducted at The Nature Conservancy's Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge go to: http://www.southjerseyvideomagazine.com/html/2007/01jan/01302007nature.htm

Project Accomplishments to Date…

Wetlands restoration work has begun and will continue until approximately March 2007. During this time, the Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge will be closed.
50 acres of invasive phragmites have been eradicated
1.9 miles of beach were replenished and a mile-long dune was created, which includes several “Piping Plover crossovers.” These areas of gently sloping dunes will remain vegetation-free and provide access for plovers and their chicks to feed behind the dunes.
Two Piping Plover foraging ponds were dug
Dune fencing was installed at the trail crossovers
Dune grass was planted

When Completed, Our New Wetlands Work Will…

Create a large pond to provide protected feeding for plovers
Improve the hydrology to reduce the chance of invasive phragmites reintroduction, while providing a series of defensible spaces that will allow The Nature Conservancy to contain and suppress future phragmites reintroduction
Increase the amount and productivity of shallow wetland habitats for shorebirds, wading birds, waterfowl, songbirds, and amphibians
Provide valuable habitat for rare plants
Create a deep channel through the center of the area with a series of islands that will be managed to provide possible tern nesting areas or heron colonies
Enhance the old trail system that is prone to flooding and instead create a higher and drier trail system

For more information, please contact The Nature Conservancy’s Delaware Bayshores Office: (609) 861-0600.