S1:E9 Nature's Infrastructure Restoring Henderson Marsh: Enhancing Fish Passage and Community Resilience Transcript

Transcript from the podcast, Nature's Infrastructure, Season 1, Episode 9.

In this episode, we delve into the collaborative efforts between Ducks Unlimited, the community of Eastwick (a neighborhood in the southwest section of Philadelphia, PA), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore 55 acres of Henderson Marsh at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. Funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this vital project aims to enhance the functionality and resiliency of the tidal freshwater marsh while reestablishing fish passage fish passage
Fish passage is the ability of fish or other aquatic species to move freely throughout their life to find food, reproduce, and complete their natural migration cycles. Millions of barriers to fish passage across the country are fragmenting habitat and leading to species declines. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Fish Passage Program is working to reconnect watersheds to benefit both wildlife and people.

Learn more about fish passage to habitats critical for migratory fish species.

Historically, this area has faced tidal restrictions and reduced hydraulic connection with Darby Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River. These challenges have led to catastrophic flooding events that have significantly impacted both wildlife and neighboring communities, including Eastwick. Join us as our guests, Brenda Whitfield, an Eastwick community leader, and Jim Feaga, a regional biologist from Ducks Unlimited, share valuable insights into how this project will improve fish passage, promote safer community infrastructure, and enhance accessibility to green spaces and natural areas for all. 

Throughout our conversation, Brenda and Jim underscore the importance of reconnecting both the marsh and the community, highlighting how these efforts strengthen the relationship between Eastwick, Ducks Unlimited, and the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge and create opportunities for community conservation that align with cultural traditions and make outdoor engagement more accessible, thereby enhancing mental and physical well-being and fostering a sense of belonging for those who have been systematically excluded from such spaces.

Join us as we uncover the transformative potential of these collaborative initiatives for both the environment and the community.