On Thursday, April 17, 2008, a fire swept through the western most marsh of Audubon's McIntosh Wildlife Refuge, home to the Environmental Education Center.

The brush fire was contained between the west side of the East Bay Bike Path and the shoreline. Habitat damage was limited and the vegetation will grow back quickly.

Unfortunately, our boardwalk, which provides access to this beautiful marsh for thousands of walkers, families and school children, sustained severe damage.

Audubon is grateful for the immediate response of the Bristol and Warren Fire Departments. The fire was contained and extinguished in short order and the damage to the area was limited thanks to their efforts.  We are also very thankful that no one was injured.

The boardwalk damage will be repaired. Consultants from York Bridge Company, the builders of the boardwalk, will be arriving the first week of May to assess the damage and to schedule repair work. Until repairs are made this section of the board will remain closed.

Audubon has established a fund for donors to contribute towards the reconstruction of the boardwalk. While the structure was insured, this fund will support additional costs associated with the reconstruction – costs that Audubon must bear on its own.

With the ongoing support of donors like you, the Environmental Education Center and the boardwalk can forever be a community resource and refuge for people and wildlife.