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The Restoration of Bair Island is Underway!
Latest News: Bair Island is entirely closed to public access to allow heavy machinery to safely operate.
- There is a possibility of periodic weekend openings - if any such openings are scheduled, they will be posted here.
The environmental restoration of inner Bair Island is now well-underway - ultimately, the area will have new and restored wildlife  habitat (crucial for endangered species like the clapper rail and salt marsh harvest mouse!) and tidal wetlands, a rebuilt trail, observation platforms, and other amenities such as expanded parking and restrooms.
The first step in the restoration consists of bringing in over one million cubic yards of dirt to raise the island's level and create a more natural tidal wetland. Some of this dirt is being used to create levees to hold dredge material to be deposited later.
Unfortunately, during this first phase there have been numerous incidents of vandalism, cutting of barrier chains, fences, and locks, trespassing off of the marked trail, pedestrians venturing dangerously close to the trucks and earth-moving equipment, and even an incident of people riding all-terrain-vehicles on Bair Island. For these reasons, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) has decided to close Bair Island and the loop trail until further notice. The initial restoration work is expected to last from three-to-five years.
Please visit the links below for more information on the Bair Island Restoration Project.
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