The Campaign for Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary—The Science
A Response to Climate Change
Located just one mile from the ocean’s edge, Tidmarsh will serve as a critical conservation site that could enable salt marshes affected by rising sea levels to adapt by migrating here. 
Atlantic White Cedar Seedlings © Paul Mozell
The restored wetlands create a landscape designed and built to support vulnerable wildlife while providing additional benefits to people. With climate change projected to bring worsening storms and rising sea levels, the creation of this new sanctuary prevents further development on this part of the coast while also providing critical habitat for a variety of bird species including snowy egrets, marsh wrens, and American bitterns. Other wildlife found here include a variety of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals such as painted turtles, Fowler's toads, red fox, river otters, and at least 24 species of dragonflies and damselflies. Tidmarsh will also give Mass Audubon the opportunity to teach effective strategies for reducing the impacts of climate change. This includes restoring natural systems, minimizing stressors such as invasive species and residential development, increasing habitat diversity, and connecting protected landscapes. Living Observatory: Technology Serving Nature
Living Observatory is a nonprofit, technology-based learning initiative that has roots in the MIT Media Lab and was founded by Tidmarsh Farms’ current landowners. Using video cameras, microphones, and sensors, it's documenting the ecological changes before, during, and after the Tidmarsh restoration. Questions and answers about what is happening at Tidmarsh, as it returns to its natural state, will be an important part of connecting visitors to science and nature. A Mass Audubon-Living Observatory PartnershipA collaboration between Mass Audubon and Living Observatory holds exciting potential. Mass Audubon wants Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary to be an outdoor laboratory. It will engage scientists, naturalists, citizen scientists, and all visitors to learn about nature through active participation on this ambitious conservation project. Get InvolvedWhat we are learning from Tidmarsh Farms is just the beginning. Protecting this land and creating a wildlife sanctuary could lead to discoveries on how best to protect the nature of Massachusetts in the face of climate change. You can help us find these answers. |
