2026 Reports

Sediment Placement to Restore Degrading Salt Marsh, a Case Study from New York City

Haight, Christopher; Kracauer Hartig, Ellen; Swadek, Rebecca

Salt marshes in New York City (NYC) provide vital ecological services, including wildlife habitat, flood mitigation, and carbon storage, yet they face threats from accelerated sea level rise, erosion, and nutrient pollution. To address marsh degradation, NYC Parks implemented a pilot sediment placement project in Idlewild Park Preserve, Jamaica Bay, designed to raise marsh elevation and enhance habitat resilience. From December 2022 to February 2023, 1,375 cubic meters of clean sand were distributed over 0.4 hectares, followed by the planting of 17,600 native plants. Monitoring of vegetation, fauna (crabs, mussels, snails), and elevation changes showed high plant survival, increased vegetation cover, and minimal elevation change, demonstrating project success. Lessons learned support expanding sediment placement as a nature-based solution, emphasizing collaboration with regulators, community engagement, and strategic site selection. Continued innovation and investment in urban wetland restoration are critical to preserving ecosystem functions and services in NYC's coastal landscapes.