Four million dollars. That’s how much it cost to mend a breach. A breach caused by Superstorm Sandy in Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. This refuge a vital sanctuary for birds. It’s one of the few freshwater havens in urban New York City.
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is more than just a pretty place. It holds a rich history. It started as Canarsie Indian land. Then it became part of New Netherland. Robert Moses a famed New York City Parks Commissioner had a big part in its creation. He transformed 12000 acres into a nature sanctuary. This was in the 1950s. The National Park Service took over in 1972.
Superstorm Sandy hit hard. The storm’s powerful waves breached West Pond. Salty bay water flooded in. Freshwater tree species started dying. The Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy stepped in. They devised a “living shoreline” project. Thousands of marsh grass plugs were planted. Degradable jetties made of recycled materials protected the grasses. These jetties are like “breakwater burritos” as one person called them. They’re made of coconut husks old Christmas trees and oyster shells.
The project aimed to slow erosion and heal the breach. It also aimed to create nine acres of new marsh habitat. Volunteers and contractors planted over 200000 native grasses. They planted different grasses according to their water tolerance. Amazingly over 93 percent of the grasses survived the winter. This is a testament to the project’s success.
The refuge isn’t just about West Pond. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is 12600 acres. It includes freshwater ponds salt marshes fields forests and open bay water. It’s a vital ecosystem. It provides storm surge protection nutrient removal carbon storage and wildlife habitat. It’s a home for many birds including ospreys hawks barn owls waterbirds and warblers. It’s even home to Cole the Osprey a bird tracked by a GPS device. Her nest is massive. It weighs over 100 pounds and survived Hurricane Sandy.
The refuge is a place where you can spot nearly half the bird species in the Northeast. You can also enjoy five miles of trails. You can even go camping here. This urban oasis provides a unique experience. It offers a peaceful escape in the heart of a busy city. A reminder that nature’s resilience can be restored. It’s a story of collaboration. It’s a story of hope. It’s the story of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.