Sod Farm Restoration at Walkill River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)

Construction began last fall on the Liberty Marsh Restoration Project at Walkill River NWR. This project, at the former Liberty Sod Farm, includes 350 acres of wetlands in Orange County, New York, and Sussex County, New Jersey. A series of impoundments and water control structures will allow this area to be managed as seasonally flooded wetlands, thereby maximizing available habitat for shorebirds and migratory waterfowl, especially wood ducks, mallards, and green-winged teal.The mosaic of habitat types available through water level management will also provide breeding habitat for amphibians and foraging habitat for wintering raptors, migrant sparrows in the fall, and wading birds in the spring. Project delivery includes installation and repair of approximately 20,000 feet of dike and installation of eight water control structures in New York and New Jersey. Dike construction has been completed for two of the five impoundments in New York, and two water control structures have been put in place.   The New York side of the project is expected to be completed later this spring.