Ducks Unlimited • Great Lakes/Atlantic Region 1

DU COMPLETES SUCCESSFUL RESTORATIONS AT RACHEL CARSON–PARKER RIVER REFUGES Coastal salt marshes are among the most productive of all habitat types. Sadly, these marshes have been ditched and drained since European settlement. By the 1930s, over 90% of saltmarshes in the northeastern United States had been parallel-grid ditched to facilitate mosquito control and human development of cities and towns. Ditching reduces habitat diversity by eliminating ponds that provide areas of open water for waterfowl to forage or loaf. Additionally, ditches do not function like naturally occurring tidal creeks, in which valuable mudflats are exposed during low tide events.

In December 2013, DU completed a project to evaluate a novel approach for restoring ditches in saltmarsh habitat along the Atlantic coast. In 2009, DU and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service secured funding support through a North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant to compare the efficacy of the “mow and roll” wetland restoration technique at Rachel Carson (Maine) and Parker River (Massachusetts) National Wildlife Refuges. The “mow and roll” technique involves mowing saltmarsh cordgrass, rolling the thatch, and placing the rolled up thatch into ditches at strategic locations in an effort to impound water and capture sediment for seedling growth. The project goals included restoring 34 acres of saltmarsh by remediating 6,000 linear feet of ditches and disseminating results at professional conferences and symposia to inform future efforts.

Both Refuges received primary and follow-up treatments in 2010 and 2011. In 2012, the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) observations confirmed that sediment was accumulating in the ditches, and new seedlings and shoots from pre-existing vegetation were growing through the thatch. The ditches that received the “mow and roll” method had a significantly greater number of stems than control ditches. The FWS continued to inspect through late fall 2012 and following snow melt in the spring of 2012. The salt hay placed in the ditches remained securely in place in both locations through the winter 0f 2012/13. The observations during the spring and summer of 2013 also indicated the salt hay mats continued to accumulate sediment. As in 2012, seedlings continued to sprout on the salt hay and pre-existing shoots continued to grow through the hay mats. While DU’s role in these restorations is complete, the FWS will continue to monitor the sites and identify future restoration opportunities. The “mow and roll” approach will continue to be presented as an affordable and effective option for habitat restoration along the Atlantic coast, and this project serves as yet another example of DU helping lead the way in wetlands conservation.

Successful restoration at Goose Rocks Ditch at Rachel Carson Refuge. Left to right: 2008, 2012, and 2013.

MAINE COASTAL REFUGES NAWCAThe Gulf of Maine is considered one of the world’s most biologically productive environments with marine and shoreline habitats that host about 2,000 species of plants and animals. The coast, with its extensive shoreline, wetlands, estuaries and islands provides exceptional habitat to a large diversity of waterfowl during spring and fall migration. Protecting habitat and water quality are critical to long term viability of Gulf of Maine ecosystem. DU is partnering with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to and acquire 581 acres adjacent to three National Wildlife Refuges in coastal Maine: Rachel Carson, Petit Manan, and Cross Island Refuges. The FWS submitted a North American Wetlands Conservation Act proposal to fund this project with matching contributions from land trusts, state and local partners, and other conservation organizations. Coastal areas in southern Maine are the most densely populated areas in the State, yet they contain a greater diversity of plant and animal species than any other part of Maine. This biologically rich area is experiencing continued rapid growth. If successful, this project will go a long way to permanently protecting valuable waterfowl habitat in New England.

NEW ENGLANDC O N S E R VAT I O N R E P O R T 2014

PART OF THE COMPLETING THE CYCLE INITIATIVE

Rachel Carson-Parker River NWR Restoration

MEET YOUR NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATION STAFF

C O N S E R V A T I O N S U M M A R Y

DUCKS UNLIMITEDP R O J E C T S

Completed Featured

Note: Project points may represent more than one project.

BERNIE MARCZYKManager of Conservation Programs

bmarczyk@ducks.org • 410.643.7635

JADE PHILLIPS

Senior Engineering Specialist

jphillips@ducks.org • 410.643.7635

North Atlantic Office: 109 Shamrock Road, Suite 200Chester, MD 21619 • Phone: 410.643.7635

Ducks Unlimited conserves, restores

and manages wetlands and associated habitats for

North America’s waterfowl. These habitats also

benefit other wildlife and people.