LONG ISLAND – The National Audubon Society in New York has been awarded $1,631,254 through the EPA Long Island Sound Partnership Supplemental Grant Program to advance the next stage of the Sunken Meadow salt marsh restoration project at Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park, Long Island. The funding will support construction costs and construction management associated with Phase 1 of the project, with construction expected to begin during the winter of 2027-2028.
The award builds on the momentum generated over the past year as Audubon and our partners have worked to move the project from planning and design toward on-the-ground restoration. Ultimately, the larger effort seeks to restore approximately 70 to 80 acres of tidal marsh habitat, improving ecosystem health, increasing resilience to sea level rise, and creating stronger habitat for birds, fish, and other wildlife.
Phase 1 construction will focus on elevation enhancement, a restoration technique that involves placing sediment on portions of the marsh platform to raise the marsh surface. By increasing elevation in targeted areas, the project will help create healthier marsh habitat that can better withstand rising sea levels and more frequent coastal flooding. The work will also improve conditions for the plants and wildlife that depend on these ecosystems.
The restoration is driven in part by the needs of the Saltmarsh Sparrow, a species whose dramatic decline has become a clear indicator of the challenges facing coastal marshes throughout the Northeast. Saltmarsh Sparrows nest only a few inches above the high tide line in high marsh habitat. As marsh elevations decrease and sea levels rise, nests become increasingly vulnerable to flooding, reducing the species’ ability to successfully reproduce. Restoring and strengthening marsh habitat is critical to improving the long-term outlook for the species.
The Sunken Meadow project addresses the lingering impacts of decades of severely restricted tidal flow in the creek that was alleviated by a dam failure during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. While the restored tidal flow has greatly improved ecosystem function of the site, significant challenges remain including waterlogged soils, low plant species diversity, the spread of invasive common reed (Phragmites australis), and the conversion of marsh habitat to mudflat.
The project’s restoration strategy addresses these issues through a phased approach that includes elevation enhancement (Phase 1), hydrologic improvements (Phase 2), and invasive species management (Phase 3). Together, these actions will help create a more resilient marsh ecosystem that provides critical habitat for birds and wildlife while helping buffer nearby communities from the impacts of sea level rise and coastal storms.
Audubon is working closely with partners including New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Save the Sound, the New York Natural Heritage Program, and Anchor QEA to advance the project. The new EPA funding marks a major milestone in turning years of planning into tangible restoration work that will deliver lasting benefits for both wildlife and people.
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About Audubon
The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, nonpartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With over 900 staff and more than 2.5 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook and Instagram @audubonsociety.
Media contact: Sharon Bruce, sharon.bruce@audubon.org
