Heislerville Wildlife Management Area
Site Description
- State: New Jersey
- County: Cumberland
- Ownership: State
Impoundments
- Heislerville Main Pool: 55 acres
- Heislerville North Impoundment: 131 acres
- Heislerville South Impoundment: 119 acres
- Heislerville West: 5 acres
Ecology and Management
“There may be no better spring shorebirding spot in NJ than at the Heislerville impoundment.”
-(Elia 2009)

Over 400 bird species have been reported from the Heislerville impoundments.
The history of the impoundments is unclear, but the three larger units had new water control structures installed in 2004 by Ducks Unlimited and partners (Kessler 2004). The press release states they were “restored through the installation of state-of-the-art water control structures that will allow for maximizing water level management capability. In turn, this will provide optimal feeding and resting opportunities for waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, and endangered Bald Eagles during critical times.” Management of the impoundments is performed by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) staff. Water levels in the main pool are dropped for northbound and southbound shorebird migration and raised again in the fall. Other pools may be kept full to allow fishing and crabbing activities.
Vulnerability
The Heislerville impoundments were “decimated” during Hurricane Sandy in 2012 (ALS 2012). Overtopping from storm surge caused severe erosion and breaches in the dikes, with an estimated repair cost of approximately $100,000 (AFSBSPT 2013). These embankments are not especially high, averaging about 3-4 feet above the mean high water line. Their proximity to the bay make them vulnerable to sea level rise.
Human Value
The impoundments are frequented by birders, photographers, and fishermen. Their embankments may provide some protection to the buildings and businesses that lie directly behind them on Matt’s Landing Road.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Dave Golden and Jason Hearson (NJDEP DFW) for providing information used on this page.
Literature Resources
- AFSBSPT [Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Business Strategy Planning Team]. Hurricane Sandy Rapid Assessment – Final Report. Manomet, MA: Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences; 2013.
- ALS [American Litoral Society]. Assessing the impacts of Hurricane Sandy on coastal habitats. Highlands, New Jersey: American Littoral Society; 2012.
- Bauers, S. 2013. Report finds $50M in post-Sandy bird habitat projects needed. Philadelphia Inquirer / Philly.com January 3, 2013:1.
- Chan, S., and S. Shulte. A Plan for Monitoring Shorebirds During the Non-breeding Season in Bird Monitoring Region New Jersey – BCR 30. Manomet, Massachusetts: Manomet Center for Conservation Science; 2008.
- Elia, V. 2009. Region 5, Waterfowl – Terns. New Jersey Birds 35:109-111.
- Kessler, C. Ducks Unlimited and Partners Finish Wetland Restoration Project at Heislerville Wildlife Management Area. http://www.outdoorcentral.com/mc/pr/04/05/20b8.asp: Ducks Unlimited; 2004.
- Sutton, C., and J. Dowdell. Wintering raptors and waterfowl on the Maurice River Cumberland County, NJ: A twenty-year summary of observed status and trends, 1987-2007. Millville, NJ: Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries; 2009.