Think of a green oasis. This is John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. It sits beside Philadelphia International Airport. This refuge protects Pennsylvania’s largest freshwater tidal marsh.
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge has a long history. The Lenape people first lived here. They called the marsh Tennakon Minquas or islands of the marsh. They fished and hunted here.
European settlers arrived in the mid-1600s. The marsh was over 5000 acres then. Settlers drained the marsh for farms. Philadelphia grew. The marsh shrank. By the 1950s only 200 acres remained.
In the late 1760s the Darby Society of Friends discovered a slave plantation on Smith Island. It was run by the Elliot family. This was against their rules. Nathan Garrett and William Horne negotiated a settlement. Elliot freed his slave Old Primus and gave him a house and land in his will. He also provided for eight other slaves. They would be freed at age 30.
In 1953 Allston Jenkins learned Gulf Oil planned to dump river spoils into the marsh. He formed the Philadelphia Conservationists. They fought to save Tinicum Marsh. Gulf Oil donated 145 acres to Philadelphia in 1955. This became Tinicum Wildlife Preserve.
In 1969 Interstate 95 was planned through the marsh. A landfill was also proposed. Local groups stopped both projects. They began legal battles and public hearings.
In 1972 Congress protected up to 1200 acres. They established Tinicum National Environmental Center. In 1991 it was renamed John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. This honored Senator John Heinz. He helped save the marsh.
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge has varied habitats. There are freshwater tidal marsh, woods, meadow and field. This attracts many kinds of wildlife. Darby Creek flows through the refuge. It supports fish like catfish and bass. The meadows have wildflowers and butterflies.
Over 300 bird species have been recorded. Eighty-five nest here. Migratory birds use the refuge as a resting spot. The refuge controls water levels to attract shorebirds. They drain the impoundment in the fall. This creates mudflats for migrating shorebirds. Waterfowl use the impoundment later in the fall.
Deer, foxes, beavers and otters live here. Many wildflowers and plants grow. Bats are seen in warmer seasons. The refuge also has reptiles and amphibians. These include snakes, frogs and turtles.
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge has a temperate climate. Summers are hot. Winters are cool. Precipitation occurs year-round. The highest recorded temperature was 102.9 degrees Fahrenheit. The lowest was minus 5.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
There are over 10 miles of trails. These include the Wetland Loop Trail. It has a boardwalk across the wetland. There is also a boardwalk over Tinicum Marsh. Darby Creek allows canoeing. You can see plants and animals.
Fishing is allowed along the main dike trail. Common fish are carp and catfish. Signs warn against eating the fish due to pollution.
Tropical Storm Isaias flooded the refuge in August 2020. Darby Creek overflowed. It damaged trails and habitats. A restoration effort followed.
The refuge is working to create more tidal marsh. This will help prevent future flooding. They also plan to raise the trail system. This will allow water to flow without causing damage.
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge is a vital urban oasis. It provides habitat for wildlife. It offers recreation for people. It stands as a testament to conservation efforts. The refuge continues to rise above challenges. It protects a valuable natural resource.