Brant Point Wildlife Sanctuary

Brant Point Wildlife Sanctuary is a nearly 20-acre nature preserve on the Jamaica Bay shoreline in the Far Rockaway area of the Rockaway Peninsula. The sanctuary protects coastal habitat that supports shorebirds, waterfowl, and other wildlife at the intersection of the bay and the Atlantic coast.

The sanctuary is named for the brant goose, a small sea goose that winters along the Atlantic coast and depends on bay and coastal habitats for feeding and resting. Jamaica Bay is one of the most important wintering areas for brant geese on the East Coast, and the sanctuary protects a portion of their habitat.

The preserve includes salt marsh, mudflat, and coastal scrub habitats that provide feeding and nesting opportunities for a variety of bird species. The sanctuary is part of the larger Jamaica Bay ecosystem, which is recognized as an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society.

Access to the sanctuary is limited to protect the sensitive habitats and nesting areas. Visitors can observe wildlife from designated viewing areas without disturbing the species that depend on the site for survival.

Brant Point Wildlife Sanctuary represents the careful balance between public access and ecological protection that characterizes the best conservation practices in urban environments. By setting aside even small parcels of coastal habitat, the city helps ensure the survival of species that have depended on these shores for millennia.