Presently, Ducks Unlimited is involved with more than 20 salt marsh restoration and protection projects, along the New England coast, totaling more than 1000 acres.   The goals of our habitat projects are to restore natural tidal flow, which will enhance the growth of native salt marsh vegetation, discourage the growth of invasive, non-native plant species, and increase bird, fish, and shellfish use.  Once the negative impacts, such as culverts, dams, bridges, and ditches, are modified or eliminated, and open water habitat is re-created, the restored wetlands will also be available to the public for low-impact recreational use such as canoeing, fishing, and bird watching.  To supplement our habitat work a citizen-based salt marsh monitoring program was initiated this year to engage local communities in hands-on conservation.

Plum Bush Creek Salt Marsh (Newbury/Newburyport, Massachusetts)

The 50-acre Plum Bush Creek project is located in the Joppa Flats Region of the Parker River/Essex Bay Area of Critical Environmental Concern along the Merrimack River and Plum Bush Creek.  Historically, the site was highly productive for fish, mainly stripers.  Today, the site is internationally known as an extraordinary birdwatcher’s hotspot to see staging and migrating shorebirds, waterbirds and wintering waterfowl.

The Plum Island Turnpike, constructed over 30 years ago, prohibits natural water flow from the Merrimack in Plum Bush Creek.  This has eliminated fish access (in both directions) from the tidal portions of the mouth of the Merrimack River through the expansive salt marsh on the opposite side of the road to Plum Island Sound.  The restricted flow of salt water has led to sedimentation and lower saline levels on the Merrimack River side of the creek, resulting in the invasion of non-native plants, such as Phragmites, Japanese knotweed, and purple loosestrife, and degraded wildlife habitat.

The restoration of this salt marsh will recreate wildlife and fish corridors, reduce non-native plant species, and increase open water habitat to provide protective and productive foraging areas.  This is the second season that local volunteers under the supervision of Ducks Unlimited are presently collecting soil salinity and vegetation community data.  These data will be analyzed to evaluate the pre-restoration conditions of this salt marsh and used to create the proper restoration design.  A draft design will be completed this fall and the permitting process will begin this winter.  Working with nine partners and local landowners, Ducks Unlimited will restore this area to its former magnificence.

Parker River NWR Demonstration Marsh (Newburyport, MA)

This three-acre freshwater wetland is located on site at the Parker River NWR Visitors Center, which is currently under construction.  The marsh is currently inundated with exotic invasive plant species; include Japanese knotweed, purple loosestrife and Phragmites.  The goal of this marsh enhancement is to remove the invasive plants and re-contour the bottom of the marsh to allow for seasonal standing water and to encourage the return of native wetland plant species.   The return of native plant species and natural hydrology will provide quality habitat for a variety of marsh birds, waterfowl, shorebirds, amphibians, and mammals.

In addition to providing enhanced wildlife habitat, this marsh provides a great educational opportunity for visitors to Parker River NWR.  Through a viewing platform, interpretive signs, and guided programs, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the importance of wetland habitat, coastal and inland marsh restoration efforts, and the significance of partnerships in conservation.

Ducks Unlimited has submitted a draft restoration design to our partners for approval, and we anticipate beginning the permitting process this winter. Refuge volunteers and staff will conduct periodic surveys of wildlife use and plant species in the restored wetland.  This data will be analyzed and proper management strategies will be utilized to maintain a viable freshwater marsh. 

Woodbridge Island  ( Newbury/Newburyport, MA)

The 113-acre Woodbridge Island is located in the Joppa Flats Region of the Parker River/Essex Bay Area of Critical Environmental Concern in the tidal portion of the Merrimack River.  Historically, this a portion of this island has been a productive Common Tern colony and was once a critical waterfowl migratory winter foraging area.

This  site was one of many marshes in Massachusetts that was ditched and drained in the 1930s in an attempt to control mosquitoes.  The result was the loss of semi-permanent open water on the marsh surface, critical for black ducks, wading birds, shorebirds, and fish.  The altered the natural hydrology allowed the invasion of non-native plants, such as 30 acres of Phragmites, Japanese knotweed, and purple loosestrife. 

The restoration of this salt marsh will recreate wildlife and fish corridors, reduce non-native plant species, and increase open water habitat to provide protective and productive foraging areas.  This summer local volunteers under the supervision of Ducks Unlimited will collect soil salinity and vegetation community data.  These data will be analyzed to evaluate the pre-restoration conditions of this salt marsh and used to create the proper restoration design.  A draft design will be completed this fall and the permitting process will begin this winter

Island Road (Essex, MA)

Island Road is a low-lying causeway, crossing and dividing a 70-acre salt marsh within the Great Marsh.  The road and the two small pipe culverts along the half-mile stretch have severely restricted the daily surface flow of tidal waters necessary for a healthy salt marsh.  Small patches of Phragmites have invaded areas along the road where tidal flow is restricted.  The goal is to increase tidal flow, therefore increasing fish access, enhancing conditions for natural salt marsh vegetation, and increasing open water habitat for birds and fish. The degraded pipe culvert will be replaced with a larger box culvert in combination with the removal of eroded roadbed material deposited on the marsh, and management of invasive plants.  All permits have been received. Construction will begin in April 2004.