BARN ISLAND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Stonington, CT
Barn Island Wildlife Management Area is a state-owned property located on the coast of
Connecticut in the Town of Stonington. The property was established in 1944. Since
that time, over twenty property transactions have occurred, resulting in the protection of
just under 1,000 acres of habitat, including saltwater and freshwater wetlands, mixed
hardwood forest, old fields and grasslands. A significant portion of the property was
purchased with funds derived from an excise tax on sporting arms, ammunition and
archery equipment through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program (PittmanRobertson Act). The Program provides funding to the states for wildlife management
and research, habitat acquisition, wildlife management area development, and hunter
education. The addition of a 144-acre parcel, acquired in 2004 through a federal, state,
municipal and private partnership, made Barn Island the largest coastal wildlife
management area in Connecticut. The most recent addition of the 47-acre Crowley
property, acquired with EPA Long Island Sound Study Stewardship Program funds,
brings the total acreage protected to approximately 995 acres.
A Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is an area of land and water having unique or
outstanding wildlife qualities that is managed primarily for the conservation and
enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat and to provide opportunities for fish and wildlifebased recreation. The principal function of Barn Island WMA is to provide healthy,
undisturbed habitat for resident and migratory fish and wildlife. The property contains
an outstanding marsh complex and one of Connecticut's last and largest un-fragmented
coastal forests. These habitats provide critical resting and feeding habitat for migratory
waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, songbirds and raptors. The tidal marshes are
home to various species of finfish and shellfish, many of which are food for migrating
birds and sport-fish such as striped bass and bluefish.
Over the years, various habitat management projects have been conducted at Barn
Island to restore and enhance habitat for fish and wildlife. The Barn Island marshes
historically hosted large concentrations of resident and migrating ducks and geese.
However, waterfowl use declined in the 1940s when ditches that were dug to control the
breeding of saltmarsh mosquitoes had the unfortunate side-effect of draining the
wetland ponds in which the birds fed. To reverse this trend, low earthen dikes were
constructed to flood, or impound five upstream marshes and create new habitat. The
flooding was initially successful, but plants such as narrow-leaved cattail and the
invasive common reed eventually displaced the open water, and waterfowl use again
declined. In 1978, the DEP restored tidal exchange to the two westernmost impounded
marshes by installing large culverts in the impoundment dike to reconnect Fishers
Island Sound to the marshes. The cattail and reed were gradually replaced by salttolerant plants that were native to the marsh.
Today, both tidal exchange and native plants have returned to all five impounded
marshes, demonstrating that wetland restoration can occur naturally without the need
for expensive and often ineffective planting programs. With the reestablishment of
native vegetation, typical marsh invertebrates and fish have re-colonized the area. The
re-creation of historic marsh channels and shallow ponds has further restored the
habitat value of this once degraded marsh system. The healthy marsh attracts small
mosquito-feeding fish as well as large numbers of shorebirds and wading birds.
Shrubland and grassland habitats on the property also have been maintained through
brushmowing, prescribed fires and the application of herbicides to control non-native,
invasive plants with Pittman-Robertson funds and a grant from the USDA, Natural
Resources Conservation Service’s Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program.
Barn Island WMA offers a variety of recreational opportunities that encourage outdoor
use with an absolute minimum of development. Hunting is the primary recreational use
allowed on the property. Regulated seasons allow for the taking of pheasant, turkey,
waterfowl, small game and deer. Information on hunting seasons and license
requirements may be found in the CT Guide to Hunting and Trapping, available annually
at town halls or on the DEP's website (www.dep.state.ct.us). Most hunters are required
to wear fluorescent orange; other visitors to Barn Island are encouraged to do the same
during hunting season. The waters of Little Narragansett Bay and Long Island Sound
may be used by the public for waterfowl hunting, fishing and recreational boating. Both
trailered and car-top boats can be launched at the Barn Island State Boat Launch
located at the end of Palmer Neck Road.
More than four miles of trails wind through the WMA. The trails may be used for
walking, cross-country skiing and wildlife observation. Barn Island is a featured site on
the Connecticut Coastal Birding Trail and has been designated an Important Bird Area
by the National Audubon Society. Watch the many birds that visit this unique
ecosystem to raise their young, spend the winter, or rest and feed during spring and fall
migration. Interpretive signs have been installed along the trail and an observation area
has been constructed near the entrance gate off of Palmer Neck Road to provide the
public the opportunity to learn about Barn Island's ecology. Dogs must be leashed at all
times, except when being used by licensed hunters while hunting small game and
waterfowl.
Important research and education activities also take place throughout the management
area. Some studies are looking at the effects of tidal flow restoration on the ecology of
the impounded marshes. Others are examining the effects of sea level rise on wetland
habitat. Before undertaking any research activities in the management area,
investigators must contact the DEP to obtain approval and any necessary permits.
For more information, contact the CT DEP's Wildlife Division at 860-295-9523 (Eastern
District Headquarters in Marlborough).
November 2010