Nuthatch Hollow Creek Restoration & Vernal Pool

Welcome to Nuthatch Hollow!

Join us in observing the seasonal impacts on plants, salinity, hydrology, and erosion at this site! 

Due to the colder winters in the Northeast, factors like road salts have played a major role in increasing salinity levels in freshwater over time, and may be affecting our very own constructed wetlands on campus. This can be harmful to plants and wildlife that aren’t adapted to high salinity environments.  

We hope that, with your help, we will be able to improve our understanding of the relationship between seasonal changes and plant growth, and contribute to future research about the impacts of freshwater salinization!

Why should we care?

1). Wetland habitats are essential for a diverse array of plant and animal species, including endangered animals such as the tiger salamander, wood frog, and spadefoot toad.

2). Wetlands prevent sediments from erosion and harmful chemicals from runoff from reaching the Susquehanna river and Chesapeake Bay watershed.

3). We should preserve these areas for their natural beauty and recreational value. 

Site Description

Nuthatch Hollow is a bird sanctuary that used to be owned by Robert Schumann, who left the property to the Binghamton Environmental Studies Program. As of 2022, the site will be home to the world's 31st living building! 

From this location, you can see vernal pools, which are seasonal wetlands that dry up during the summer and fall. The vernal pools at this site were built in the fall of 2021, so you can help us monitor their development!

Additionally, this site hosts a creek that acts as an inlet from the road to the wetland. Check dams were recently built to counteract high levels of erosion in the channel, which had been causing sedimentation and high turbidity in the wetland. Your images will help us monitor the progress of this remediation. 

If you have any questions, send us an email at bgccw4@gmail.com !