A Historical Perspective on the Urban Wetlands of the Teaneck Creek Conservancy

by Mary Arnold

Teaneck Creek Conservancy, Inc., 20 Puffin Way, Teaneck, New Jersey 07666

Abstract

The wetlands of northeastern New Jersey, formed after the Wisconsin glacier retreated approximately 10,000 years ago, have undergone extensive damage by humans since their formation. Projects undertaken to support the increasing urbanization of Bergen County, including interstate highway construction during the 20th century, caused particularly severe damage to the wetlands, and today, remaining Teaneck Creek wetlands are situated in a watershed whose land use is 95% urban. The 46-acre Teaneck Creek Conservancy site, owned by Bergen County, New Jersey, as an area within Overpeck Park, is managed by the Teaneck Creek Conservancy. Today, these wetlands serve as a stormwater retention basin for the Teaneck Creek watershed. The Conservancy aims to protect the site's least-disturbed wetlands and to reestablish 20 acres of forested riparian wetlands by reconnecting Teaneck Creek with the site's interior surface and ground waters, removing fill materials, eliminating and controlling invasive plant species, and planting native vegetation. The project is an interdisciplinary collaboration between the Teaneck Creek Conservancy, Bergen County, and Rutgers University.

Keywords: Urban restoration, urban wetland, urbanization, urban habitat, urban ecosystem, Bergen County