Birdwatching in Union County Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Bird and nature lovers in Union County will now have a new local haunt to pursue their passions.

Hawk Rise Sanctuary, a 95-acre ecological preserve and wetland complex in Linden, opened on Wednesday, May 30, with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting.

The sanctuary includes a walkway and trail system and overlook platforms. Trails are equipped with signage with habitat descriptions and information regarding 123 species of birds and other wildlife that wildlife specialists have identifed in the area.

In addition, the sanctuary has been integrated with the Linden Public Schools science curriculum, and the Audubon Society will offer natural history programs for families and adult visitors.

The preserve was carved out of the former Linden Landfill after the state DEP issued a consent order in 2007 calling for the clean-up and closure of the dump site located along the Rahway River and Arthur Kill. 

The order included an agreement with the city of Linden to enhance 50 acres of surrounding forest and wetlands. According to a release from the DEP, Linden committed $1 million for a greenway access project and the establishment of education and interpretive programs. The DEP’s Office of Natural Resource Restoration and Green Acres Program provided a $1 million match from a settlement with Merck & Co. for damages associated with contamination of ground water in the Linden area.

Several businesses, including ConocoPhillips/Phillips 66, Infineum, Cogen Technologies and Northfield Bank, also made contributions to construction of the sanctuary.

“This project is an excellent example of the Christie Administration’s commitment to lessen the cumulative environmental impacts that stress many of the state’s urban communities, in this case by providing a much-needed and unique greenway,” said DEP Commissioner Bob Martin at the ribbon-cutting.  “The opening of this sanctuary also shows the good that can be achieved when state and local governments and environmental groups work together for a well-intended goal.”

“I’m very excited about the opening of the Hawk Rise Sanctuary,” said Linden Mayor Richard Gerbounka. “This is the product of many, many years of hard work and cooperation between Linden, New Jersey Audubon, and the DEP.  Hawk Rise will provide unique open-space recreational activities to not only the citizens of Linden, but to all of Union County.”