Dubos Point Wildlife Sanctuary

Borough: Queens

Acres: 33

Habitat Type: Grassland, Salt Marsh

Map: PDF

Dubos Point was a saltwater marsh until 1912, at which point it was filled with dredged materials for real estate development. The project failed to materialize and the site then reverted to a more natural state. Now, the site is the largest salt marsh on the north shore of the Rockaway peninsula east of Rockaway Point. Marsh interior species including sharp-tailed and seaside sparrow, and willet nest here. Upland grassland and maritime shrubland provide nesting habitat for diamondback terrapins, Fowler’s toad, and black-crowned night heron. The Merlin and Peregrine Falcon, both endangered species, have been seen on Dubos.

The 33-acre Dubos Point Wildlife Sanctuary is named to honor two environmentalists Dr. Rene (1901-1982) and his wife Jean Dubos (1918-1988). As advisor to the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (1972), Rene Dubos coined the phrase “Think Globally, Act Locally.” Rene Dubos died in 1982 and was survived by Jean, who was the moving force behind the formation of this sanctuary. Its creation corresponds with the Dubos’ vision of global environmentalism achieved through local action.

Directions

Dubos Point Wildlife Sanctuary is not currently accessible to the public.