Quogue Wildlife Refuge: Grant from Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation

The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is thrilled to announce it has been awarded a grant by the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation in the amount of $142,778.00 to support the restoration and rebuilding of the Fairy Dell Boardwalk.

The Fairy Dell Boardwalk is a catwalk through beautiful tidal wetlands of the Quogue Wildlife Refuge.  It traverses through the historic Fairy Dell Tract along the headwaters of Quantuck Creek and is in need of reconstruction due to dilapidation, and decaying wood.  It has been closed to the public for over 5 years.

This boardwalk complex was first built over the winter of 1983-84, after the Refuge became the beneficiary of the first ‘Return A Gift to Wildlife’ grant, which is a fund established by NYS from donations by NYS income tax payers on their tax forms.  The 1,500 foot long boardwalk overlooks Quantuck Creek at three terminal platforms.  The Fairy Dell is the local name for the headwaters of Quantuck Creek, visible from the Boardwalk platforms.

Over the decades, summer ecology camp kids, guided groups, independent visitors and birders have enjoyed exploring on the Fairy Dell Boardwalk.  It is a wonderful teaching spot, a beautiful area to observe wildlife, and it encompasses a very different habitat from the main sanctuary property.  Everyone will be thrilled to have it back open for use!  We are so grateful to the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, as this grant will not only allow us to rebuild this much missed boardwalk, but will also include educational signage about the local history of the area, and flora and fauna along the walk.  This project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2018, and we will keep you updated via Facebook and email.

The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, established in 1987, primarily supports the study of New York State history. Robert David Lion Gardiner was, until his death in August 2004, the 16th Lord of the Manor of Gardiner’s Island, NY. The Gardiner family and their descendants have owned Gardiner’s Island since 1639, obtained as part of a royal grant from King Charles I of England. The Foundation is inspired by Robert David Lion Gardiner’s personal passion for New York history. For more information, please visit www.rdlgfoundation.org .

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