BERGEN COUNTY AUDUBON SOCIETY

The Bergen County Audubon Society is a local chapter of the National Audubon Society. We became involved with the refuge in 1996 as part of Audubon’s Refuge Keeper Program which was designed to encourage local chapters to adopt and support their nearby National Wildlife Refuges.

Over the years, we have been an active advocate with congressional representatives and senators lobbying for funding for land acquisition and support of the refuge’s larger goals. We have also conducted grassland bird surveys, Woodcock surveys and Bluebird nest box monitoring.

Most recently, we have applied for and received grants from National Audubon for two specific conservation and land management projects at the refuge. In 2007, we received funding to construct 2 Chimney Swift nesting towers to be erected on existing buildings at the refuge headquarters complex. This is a partnership with the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Avian Wildlife Center in Wantage. This project is still in progress. In 2008, we received another grant to purchase 80 trees and shrubs to be planted at the Bassett’s Bridge boat launch area. This was combined with funds from the Fish and Wildlife Service and a total of 200 trees were planted in November 2008. This is part of what will be a long term effort to reforest riparian zones along the Wallkill River that were cleared for farming and grazing.

We also conduct seasonal field trips here for our chapters’ members and the general public. We plan to continue our relationship with the refuge and hope to secure additional grants to continue conservation and land management projects at the refuge in the near future.

You can find out more about us at :
www.bergencountyaudubon.org