Bear Creek Wildlife Sanctuary

About the Program
The Bear Creek Wildlife Sanctuary is operated in Saugus, Massachusetts by WIN Waste Innovations. Located approximately eight miles north of Boston, Bear Creek Wildlife Sanctuary covers approximately 370 acres, which formerly contained a monofill. It is adjacent to Rumney Marsh, a coastal saltwater marsh and wetland of 2,274 acres that is marked as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern due to its role as a unique and important habitat. The restoration of the site began over 20 years ago, and now the program team maintains several projects at the sanctuary, including management of grasslands and invasive species and community engagement events and birding tours. 

Practices and Impacts

Grasslands Habitat

• The project teams manages approximately 150 acres of grasslands that contain native plant species such as milkweed, asters and yarrow.
• The grassland is assessed regularly and managed by rotational mowing after bird nesting season is over, as well as removal of invasive species.
• The area is monitored with support from birding groups, which look for grassland-specific avian species such as the grasshopper sparrow and vesper sparrow to help assess how the habitat is performing. 

Living Shoreline - Upland Transitional Zone Habitat

• The living shoreline covers approximately 32 acres, with an additional two acres of shrubland added recently to help offset projected sea-level rise in the wetlands.
• This additional area was planted with 1,500 native seedlings which will provide habitat and forage for birds.
• The health of the site is assessed through observations of associated bird species, such as the gray catbird and yellow warbler, which have been consistently observed at the shoreline.

Target Avian Species Enhancement and Management

• The site is an important habitat for many resident and migratory bird species as the maturing sanctuary provides an abundance of suitable nesting and forage opportunities.
• Target species for this project include ospreys, peregrine falcons, bald eagles and sedge wrens.
• Regular bird walks are hosted at the site, with data collected and shared with the Cornell eBird initiative and the Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Species counts increased from 30 species identified in 2008 to 144 species identified in 2018.

Community Education and Outreach

• The team manages a number of event throughout the year, with the goal of teaching local community members about the sanctuary and its importance in supporting wildlife;
• Events include regular birding walks, presentations at community groups, and lessons tailored for specific groups of school or college-aged students;
• The community engagement activities help to foster a sense of environmental stewardship and appreciation for local ecosystems and wildlife. 

Invasive Species - Phragmites Adaptive Management

• The project aims to control the invasive Phragmites australis reed, which limits diversity and provides a poor quality habitat for birds and other wildlife.
• A long-term management plan is in place to control P. australis through removal and replacement with native seedlings, which will grow and limit further spread of the reed.
• Regular monitoring takes place followed by management such as mowing and planting of seedlings as required.

Salt Marsh Avian Species

• This project targets the salt marsh sparrow, an avian species reliant on salt marsh habitats for breeding as it builds its nest on salt marsh grasses. The species is in decline due to loss of habitat.
• The project teams have identified three areas at the site which support salt marsh sparrow nesting, and birds have been observed consistently in recent years.
• Work aligns with the Salt Marsh Habitat and Avian Research Program (SHARP), which seeks to increase knowledge and awareness of species like the salt marsh sparrow.