Date: 3/9/26 10:16 am From: Folsom-O'Keefe, Corrie via CTBirds <ctbirds...> Subject: [CT Birds] Adaptive Management at Great Meadows Unit of Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) during Early Spring 2026
Dear CT Birding Community, Since the completion of the 44-acre wetland restoration project in 2022 at the Great Meadows Unit, the CT DEEP Wetland Habitat and Mosquito Management (WHAMM) Program has been monitoring the area for mosquitoes in its continuing agreement with the United States Fish and Wildilfe Service (USFWS). Often during a large-scale restoration effort, depressional areas can form. Areas where water gets trapped can produce large numbers of saltmarsh mosquitoes. To achieve restoration goals set by USFWS, NOAA, CT DEEP, Audubon and other stakeholders, the WHAMM Program has been allowed to fine tune elevations in the restoration zone to eliminate mosquito-breeding depressions. Using a wide-track, low-ground pressure excavator, high areas can be regraded to release trapped water, channels can be excavated to enhance tidal flushing, or shallow pools can be constructed to create habitat for marsh fishes that eat mosquito larvae. This strategy of source reduction and biological control has been the foundation of the WHAMM Program's Integrated Marsh Management program since the mid-1980's. This "adaptive management" approach was used in 2022. Since then, the marsh has been settling, and the new tidal hydrology is creating pathways for water to enter the marsh and become trapped. In 2025, other areas were found to be producing mosquitoes in large numbers. Further work to eliminate these new sites is proposed for early Spring 2026 prior to the nesting season for Saltmarsh Sparrows, Willets and other birds of concern. Once on site, work should be completed within a week depending on weather and tides. The area will continue to be monitored throughout 2026 to gauge efficacy and to continue to identify any new areas that may emerge. Note: Thank you for your comments on plans to connect the large brackish pond at the Great Meadows Unit to an adjacent tidal creek. We have paused that work to allow time to share information about the overarching project, the reasons for the planned work, and to collect additional input. Project partners plan to hold an information session later this year. Updates and additional information on these plans will be available at: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/stewart-b-mckinney. Cheers, Corrie Folsom-O'Keefe Director of Bird Conservation National Audubon Society - Connecticut Office <Corrie.FolsomOKeefe...><mailto:<Corrie.FolsomOKeefe...>
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