STONE HARBOR, NJ, BIRD SANCTUARY REJUVENATION PROJECT - PHASE 1
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The 21 acre Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary is internationally known by ornithologists and bird lovers for its value as a significant wading bird breeding habitat and migratory songbird stopover. The site is a historical heronry, formerly host to thousands of beautiful colonial water-birds such as the Black-Crown Night Heron, Snowy Egret, Great White Heron, Little Blues and Tricolor Herons. In addition, many songbirds use this valuable parcel as their migratory stopover. Over the last 10 years, many of the wading birds have disappeared due to invasion of non-native plant species and restricted tidal flow. And, due to urban development, the number of predators (raccoons, rats, etc.) that consume the birds' eggs has increased.

Duffield Associates was awarded a contract for the first phase of a comprehensive habitat restoration program. The initial phase was to develop the master plan to be used to secure the necessary funding to implement the restoration. Duffield Associates will design the restoration and be the general contractor for the anticipated design/build approach to this very exciting project.

Our services for Phase 1 include:

1. Goals and Success Criteria establishment
2. Funding Identification/Planning
3. Master Plan Development
4. Historical Conditions Assessment
5. Topographic Survey
6. Site Reconnaissance/Research.
7. Reference Community Assessment.
8. Meetings with Regulators and Conservation Groups
9. Community Involvement
10. Site Hydraulics/Tidal Incursion Evaluation
11. Tidal Waters Supply Pipe Evaluation
12. Wetland Delineation and Permitting
13. Scheduling of tasks, monitoring
14. Costs Development
15. Final Submission of Plan to Borough and partners

On behalf of the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary Committee, Duffield Associates identified multiple sources of grant funding, corporate and public partnerships, and public in kind services for the restoration/ rejuvenation of the Bird Sanctuary. Duffield Associates assisted the Borough of Stone Harbor staff and US Fish and Wildlife Service develop a cooperation agreement and prepare multiple grant applications for the rejuvenation project. Duffield Associates assisted the Borough in finding corporate sponsors/grants and in establishing a Friends of the Sanctuary Program for receiving private donations for the project.

Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary Website