Massachusetts Audubon Society Dartmouth, MA

Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary Site Improvements

This multi-phase project supports Mass Audubon’s long-term salt marsh restoration efforts, enhancing resilience against sea level rise.

• Phase 1: Identified wetland resource areas and access points for restoration, addressing runnels, ditches, standing water, and upland entry.
• Phase 2: Assisted in permitting the partial removal of a deteriorating dam, improving tidal flow and initiating gradual water level reduction. Future work includes full berm removal for complete tidal restoration.
• Phase 3: Collaborated with County Mosquito Control, Mass Audubon, and Save the Bay to design and permit salt marsh runnels, facilitating marsh drainage and vegetation regrowth while expediting regulatory approvals.
• Phase 4: Continued permitting for additional runnels, with successful implementation in Spring 2024 and future expansion planned.

Collectively, these efforts have significantly enhanced salt marsh resilience, restoring habitat, improving tidal flow, and supporting salt marsh sparrow populations, while preparing for landward migration in response to rising sea levels.