Biologists team up to restore Shrewsbury Island
Monmouth Beach—Biologists from DU, USFWS and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are partnering up to promote the first of hopefully several island habitat restoration projects in the Shrewsbury River. During the fall and winter, the islands are home to a remarkably diverse population of wading birds, shorebirds and waterfowl that use them as feeding and resting grounds. However, storm debris, historic dredge spoil disposal and recent Phragmites invasions have left the islands’ habitats fragmented and in poor shape.
In an agreement under consideration by the Boro of Monmouth Beach in November 2006, USFWS and NOAA Community Restoration Program, with DU’s help, will provide technical oversight. USFWS will provide the environmental permits required, and hands-on restoration by generous DU volunteers will make this complicated task a reality. With hard work and additional funding, opportunities to restore the nearby privately-owned islands will follow!