SAWMILL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
(Lyndhurst, North Arlington)

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This 753-acre* site is the largest single wetland landholding in the Hackensack Meadowlands District.  The site is owned by the State of New Jersey.  The NJMC and NJDEP have an agreement for the NJMC to manage the site.  The sawmill creek area near the Hackensack River was diked for mosquito control early in the 20th century.  Cut off from tidal flows, the marsh slowly changed as it was colonized by common reed. Subsequently, its biodiversity declined.

In 1950, a nor’easter destroyed the Sawmill Creek dikes and reopened the marsh to tidal flooding from the Hackensack River. As a result of the increased tidal flow from this “natural restoration” event, common reed at the site was weakened and eventually died off in low marshes as smooth cordgrass began to spread into the Sawmill Creek area. 

With its tidal flow restored, the Sawmill Creek Wildlife Management Area today is comprised of comparatively diverse landscapes and has higher biodiversity than most wetlands of the immediate region.  Wildlife using this area extensively include striped bass, fiddler crabs, diamondback terrapin, great blue heron, gadwall, common moorhen, and American bittern.  Several state-listed endangered species, including the black skimmer and yellow-crowned night heron, can be seen here.

The area is adjacent to an influx of salt water nicknamed the “Great Lungs” of the Hackensack River.  It’s a large, tidally flowed area that stretches out on both sides of the New Jersey Turnpike in Lyndhurst and Kearny.  The NJMC campus can be seen in the distance.  Access to this area is at Laurel Hill County Park in Secaucus.