Project Description
Little Tinicum Island is a three-mile-long island located in the Delaware River off Tinicum Township, PA. At approximately 200 acres, the island is a designated Natural Area managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' (PA DCNR) Bureau of Forestry. An estimated 3,500 to 4,000 people access Little Tinicum Island each year but there were no maintained trails on the island, only thick scrub forest ringed by tidal freshwater wetlands.
To compensate for the loss of recreational opportunities caused by the M/T Athos I oil spill, this project installed a permanent loop trail, two wildlife observation decks, and a breakaway bridge to cross a small wetland area. Along the trail, invasive plant species were removed and the area was revegetated with native plants to prevent further spread of invasive plants by people using the trail.
Parties Implementing Restoration
Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry; Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
DOI Project Representatives
Fish and Wildlife Service