In New Jersey, a restoration project at Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area is bringing back the natural function of a coastal marsh that human activity had previously impacted.The project, which began in February 2024, covers a 290-acre section of the wildlife management area in Cape May County and includes Pond Creek marsh, Davey’s Lake and land occupied by a former magnesite manufacturing facility and its associated landfill. Two years into the restoration, the changes are already conspicuous, with ospreys, bald eagles, great blue herons and several other bird species observed using the newly built waterbodies.According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Spring 2026 project update, the restoration is being led by its Office of Natural Resource Restoration and Office of Coastal Engineering, in partnership with the state’s Division of Fish and Wildlife. The primary objective is to restore tidal movement through much of Pond Creek marsh, which had been affected by earlier modifications to the landscape.The former Harbison-Walker Magnesite facility had a considerable influence on the surrounding area. The plant extracted magnesium from seawater, and historical changes to the site interrupted the natural tidal connection between Pond Creek marsh and Delaware Bay. With the movement of water restricted, parts of the marsh became degraded and were increasingly dominated by non-native common reed, known as Phragmites australis.As seawater moves into and out of a marsh, it influences the distribution of nutrients, the availability of water and the habitats that different species depend upon. The restoration team began work in February 2024, initially preparing the site, clearing vegetation and installing measures to control soil erosion and sediment movement. A temporary ditch plug was also constructed to disconnect tidal flow into Pond Creek while the initial construction work was carried out.
Creating new channels and islands
Excavating channels to restore tidal flow has been the most crucial part of this project. Rather than simply reopening the existing waterway, the restoration design includes a wider main channel, along with a network of smaller channels that will help water move through the interior of the wetland.The excavation of the main channel, extending approximately 3,561 feet, was completed in November 2024. By November 2025, the interior tributaries, measuring approximately 14,220 feet in total, and additional pond features had also been excavated. The work generated around 148,591 cubic yards of material, which could be reused elsewhere within the restoration site.This excavated material has played another important role in reshaping the landscape. Instead of treating all the removed soil as waste, the project has reused it to construct elevated areas and habitat features within the marsh.Five sand-shell habitat islands were completed in August 2025. Located in open sections of the marsh, these islands are intended to provide nesting and feeding areas for migratory birds. The restoration has also involved creating high marsh areas, mudflats and open-water habitats, offering a wider variety of conditions for wildlife to use.The project has not been limited to the wetland itself. Several dune systems have also been constructed and planted with native beachgrass, Ammophila breviligulata, while panic grass (Panicum amarum) has been used for seeding. These plantings help establish coastal vegetation and contribute to the restoration of the surrounding upland habitat.
Wildlife is already making use of the changes
Perhaps the most encouraging development has been the wildlife recorded at the site while construction is still underway. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Spring 2026 update notes that aquatic prey species, including mummichogs, have been found in the newly constructed waterbodies. Their presence has attracted a variety of birds, including ospreys, great blue herons and bald eagles, along with egrets, kingfishers and gulls.The presence of these birds is particularly important given that the project is situated in Cape May, an important stopover along the Atlantic Flyway. This peninsula is internationally recognised for its seasonal bird migrations, with large numbers of birds passing through as they travel between their breeding and wintering grounds. The restored marsh is therefore expected to provide feeding and resting habitats for several species, including raptors such as peregrine falcons, merlins and kestrels. Apart from birds, the department has also recorded other wildlife using the site, including snakes, raccoons, foxes, otters and beavers.The project has also incorporated 26 dead trees, known as tree snags, into the landscape. These were sourced from the site itself and installed along and within the newly excavated tributaries. Although they may appear like remnants of a damaged landscape, dead trees can provide useful resting and feeding places for birds, while those placed in waterways can also offer habitat for fish.
A restoration that goes beyond wildlife
Restoring tidal movement needs to be balanced with protecting freshwater habitats and reducing the risk of flooding in the surrounding watershed. To address this concern, the project includes an earthen berm system fitted with water-control structures that can regulate tidal inundation in specific areas, helping protect freshwater habitats while allowing tidal movement to be restored across the marsh.The restoration also aims to improve public access to the landscape through trails, boardwalks, viewing platforms and bird observation structures. According to the Spring 2026 update, construction of several recreational features, including the heron canopy, pedestrian bridge, boardwalks and viewing blinds, was completed during Summer 2026, with some additional work still underway. The installation of pedestrian benches and interpretive signs along the trails is also forthcoming.By rebuilding tidal connections, creating new habitats and allowing native vegetation to establish itself, New Jersey is working towards a landscape where wildlife can once again find the resources it needs.