We are happy to report that commercial development plans proposed for land adjacent to Brooklyn's Four Sparrow Marsh have been withdrawn. Named for the four sparrow species that nest there (salt-marsh, song, swamp, and savannah), this 63-acre wetland habitat is one of the few remaining salt marshes on the shores of Jamaica Bay. Over sixteen bird species are known to breed in the marsh, including clapper rail and Wilson's snipe--and the site provides important stop-over habitat for many more species during migration. Managed by the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, Four Sparrow Marsh was dedicated in 1997 as one of 51 "Forever Wild" nature preserves in the City.

Since developer Forest City Ratner first proposed the plan for a " Four Sparrow Retail Center," NYC Audubon has been joined by other local environmental groups in voicing opposition; Director of Conservation and Science Susan Elbin presented oral and written comments at a scoping meeting earlier this year, indicating that the proposed development threatened to affect the wetland's water quality, disrupt site hydrology, and directly kill birds as a result of collisions with windows.

The announcement of the cancellation was made on the Mayor's Office website, which states simply, "The Four Sparrow Marsh Retail Center at Mill Basin project has been withdrawn as of September 2011." No other information has been given at this time.

Four Sparrow Marsh, © Ron Bourque; Salt-Marsh Sparrow, © Steve Nanz