The Nature Conservancy Secures Grant for Restoration Planning at Rocky Neck State Park

Rocky Neck State Park is home to the Bride Brook tidal creek which flows into Long Island Sound,  which boasts a tidal marsh, the largest alewife population in the state, a popular beach and boardwalk, a campground, wooded trails, a pavilion and an extremely popular fishing site. It’s also known for its position alongside an Amtrak route to the delight of many children who enjoy seeing trains pass during beach visits. The railway bridge was constructed in 1851, and Rocky Neck was established as a state park in 1931.

But the 82 acres of marsh at Rocky Neck have long faced challenges and are, in a sense, drowning, according to Cañizares. The marsh is a critical component of the ecosystem as it hosts unique biodiversity and provides protective benefits to coastal and inland communities. 

“The marsh might seem healthy if you aren’t sure what to look for—it's green, there are osprey feeding, there are ducklings, we see fish and there are crabs. But this isn’t a healthy marsh. We see a lot of expanding open pools of water and mud, and there is a loss of vegetation. What we should see is the main creek channel of Bride Brook, bordered by a solid marsh platform, looking like a grassy meadow,” Cañizares explained. 

"The restoration of the Bride Brook estuary and the marsh at Rocky Neck has consistently been among the highest priorities in the state, attracting the involvement of numerous groups for decades," says Tim Clark, TNC's southeastern Connecticut project director. “Their work has resulted in important conservation successes, specifically the culvert upgrade in 2009 that significantly improved fish passage for alewife, and beach enhancements.”

“However, bridges and other infrastructure along Bride Brook are likely contributing to a lack of full connectivity between the marsh and Long Island Sound. It’s believed these modifications altered the natural flow of water and disrupted how sediment moves through the system, leading to marsh degradation. This project will further study the issue, as well as determine and design solutions,” Clark explained. 

Improving marsh conditions and restoring connections between Bride Brook and Long Island Sound would allow for large-scale, climate-resilient marsh restoration, strengthen the ecosystem and support fish passage. This work will benefit local communities as well. A restored marsh will act as a natural shield for the coastline, buffer effects of climate change, manage floodwaters, store “blue carbon”, and reduce ambient air and water temperatures. Alterations to existing infrastructure could also improve public access to and from the beach, while enhancing recreational and educational opportunities.  

“We look forward to engaging with multiple communities in Connecticut to learn about how this project might improve the visitor experience at Rocky Neck, especially for all people of all abilities,” Clark added. 

There are also economic impacts to consider: Re-establishing tidal connectivity at Bride Brook and restoring the marsh will enhance flood resilience at Rocky Neck and for surrounding communities by absorbing and dissipating floodwaters during storms. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimates that tidal marsh habitats provide nearly $10,510 per acre per year in “ecosystem services,” including protective benefits. A fully functioning system at the state park would provide around $860,000 per year in benefits to wildlife, visitors and neighboring communities. 

“Connecticut’s shoreline is enjoyed by countless people year-round and is a critical habitat for many species. We must continue to preserve and protect it. I am proud to see Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act dollars supporting this work in Connecticut, and I will continue to fight for these federal investments for our natural treasures,” says Senator Richard Blumenthal. 

As co-chair of the bipartisan congressional Long Island Sound Caucus, Representative Joe Courtney said he was thrilled about the funding award and its role toward maintaining the area’s “vibrant natural heritage.” 

“The grant awarded to the Conservancy will support restoration of Rocky Neck State Park’s ecosystem, a habitat off of the Long Island Sound, and preserve the biodiversity of a unique coastal gem for years to come. This award is yet another example of the good work coming out of the federal Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, which I helped enact. Congratulations to the coalition of conservationists throughout the state and district for obtaining this critical funding source,” Courtney added. 

"NOAA is excited to be supporting The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut and partners as they work toward restoring healthy marsh habitat for the many species and communities that rely on this important coastal ecosystem," said Carrie Selberg Robinson, director of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation.

Early work through the grant will focus on design, engagement with the local community and regulatory permits, setting the stage for restoration within and surrounding the marsh and Bride Brook. TNC will coordinate with DEEP to plan to conduct a robust public outreach effort to gather input from Connecticut residents and visitors to Rocky Neck visitors on desired outcomes from this restoration project.

This project will also have lasting impacts beyond this state park. TNC hopes to use this project as a vehicle to develop a roadmap for similar sites across Connecticut and New England, particularly sites facing concerns with tidal restrictions caused by transportation infrastructure, and with a need for resilient and equitable access to a public resource.