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Plans for the area began in 1964 when the
Director of the Department of Conservation and Waterways presented a
program for the preservation and management of the entire town
wetlands. This nature area named the "Oceanside Marine Nature Study
Area" is a salt marsh cut by tidal streams, which if not placed
under the preservation program would have become a development site.
Marine Nature Study Areas differ from the most
other community undertakings in that the design provides for
education, research preservation and management practices.
Objectives of such an area program include: an outdoor laboratory
for elementary and secondary schools, salt marsh ecology, marine
conservation practices, earth science, marine biology, and nature
study. The program provides opportunity for research in marsh
ecology and management to local college students and opportunity for
art and photographic studies.
The Oceanside Marine Nature Study Area covers a 52-acre salt marsh bordered on the south by Middle Bay, on the west by Bedell Creek, on the east by an unnamed tidal watercourse and on the north by developed home sites. An additional tidal creek cuts the area nearly in half flowing from Bedell Creek to the easterly unnamed watercourse.
Initially, the two tidal watercourses were connected by a shallow canal to provide circulation of salt water through the area. Excavated material was utilized to create an earthen walkway along this canal. A two acre tidal pond was also created at the southerly side of the marsh.
The area has seven designated observation and
study sites equipped with visual aides. At the Study Area Center,
indoor science rooms completes the nature study area complex.
In order not to destroy marshes, elevated board
walkways have been constructed to provide access from the "Salt
Marsh Ecosystem Site" to the "Marine Algae Site" and to the "Dune
Community".
Alterations of the marsh for the purpose of
creating the study area were minimal. As indicated, a canal was dug
to connect two tidal watercourses and a pond created for waterfowl
habitat. The only other man-made feature is a dunal vegetation
community. This site has as a base former dredge spoil deposited in
the 1920's when Bedell Creek was dredged to provide for navigation.
Sand topping the dune was transported from Lido Beach, and dune
plants are those native to Long Island barrier beaches.
Slopes around the pond and along earth walkways
have been planted with high meadow plants and seed producing
grasses, These plantings have successfully arrested the growth of
reed plants (Phragmites
australis
The Oceanside Marine Nature Study Area was
completed and opened on Earth Day, April, 1970. Use of the area has
exceeded expectations. During weekdays, guided tours may be
scheduled by school classes and adult groups. Tours for school
groups include demonstrations and opportunity for individual
participation. The area is available for individual use by youths
and adults in connection with academic studies, or may be enjoyed by
those wishing to carry on their observations without guides.
(excerpts from the Marine Nature Study Inventory 1977,
HAROLD F. UDELL
