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Crab Meadow

Location

Huntington, NY

Anchor Site(s)

Crab Meadow Wetlands and Beach and Eatons Neck Point

About the Sites

This Stewardship Area is made up of Crab Meadow Wetlands and Beach and Eatons Neck Point. Crab Meadow is owned by the Town of Huntington and hosts a variety of landscapes. The west is bordered by low-density residential development, in the north there are seasonal homes along the barrier beach, and finally to the south and east you will find undeveloped woodland, county parkland, and a golf course. Crab meadow is designated by the Department of State as “Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat” because it is one of a few large areas of undeveloped salt marsh ecosystem remaining on the North Shore of Long Island. Eatons Neck Point is private property and is not open to the public.

Ecological Importance
  • Crab Meadow Wetlands and Beach is designated by the Department of State as a “Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat” because it provides habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife species.
  • Crab Meadow contains one of the few large areas of undeveloped salt marsh (approx. 300 acres) on the North Shore of Long Island and is a productive area for finfish, shellfish, and crustaceans.
  • Crab Meadow Wetlands and Beach provides nesting and feeding habitat for piping plover and least tern and feeding grounds for herons, egrets, gulls, plovers, sandpipers, and northern harrier throughout much of the year.
  • The tidal creek channels at Crab Meadow serve as nursery and feeding
    areas for many species, and as conveyors of organic matter and nutrients from the marsh into the Sound.
Recreational Opportunities
  • Launch your boat at one of the many boat ramps in this Stewardship Area.
  • Visit Crab Meadow or one of the many beaches in this Stewardship Area, where you can swim, fish, play, or picnic.
Dive Deeper
  • Crab Meadow’s Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat
    Crab Meadow provides many services to its ecological community and, therefore, was given this designation by the Department of State.
  • Makamah Nature Preserve
    This nature preserve is a mixture of dry woodlands, wet woodlands, and marsh, and 94 species of bird can be found on the property. Visitors can come here to hike, bird watch, or walk their dog on a leash.
  • Fuchs Pond Preserve
    Fuchs Pond Preserve is frequently used by elementary schools to educate children on nature and marine life. The site consists of a five acre freshwater pond, freshwater marsh, forest, and a plateau area.
  • Cranberry Hill Nature Center
    Students can enroll in a Marine Education Field Trip to Cranberry Hill Nature Center, which is a part of Fuchs Preserve in Northport.
Places to Visit
  • Fuchs Pond Preserve is a popular spot for bird-watching. This preserve occupies over 20 acres of land and encompasses a variety of habitats.
  • Steers Beach is a small beachfront overlooking Northport Bay offering scenic views while relaxing or sunbathing.
  • Meadowlark Park has a woodsy bike trail and is part of Veteran’s Park. It features dirt trails throughout the park allowing you to observe all of its scenic woodlands.
  • Woodbine Marina is operated by the Town of Huntington and features a launching ramp, water hook-up and more. Applications and information regarding a slip can be obtained at the Huntington Harbormasters Office.
  • Makamah Beach is known for its scenic sunset views. Activities include fishing, hiking and bird watching. The beach is a Town of Huntington beach located in Fort Salonga and requires a parking sticker during season.
  • Visit Eatons Neck Lighthouse, just east of Eatons Neck Point.
Get Involved/Events
Field Notes
  • Eatons Neck Point is private property and is not open to the public.

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CrabMeadow

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Did You Know?

A fact sheet on salt marsh monitoring.

  • Work is being done to collect marsh data at Crab Meadow to support coastal resilience in Long Island Sound. View this fact sheet to learn more.
  • Crab Meadow contains one of the few large areas of undeveloped salt marsh on the North Shore of Long Island.
  • Crab Meadow and the cove by Eatons Neck Point offer great opportunities to fish, boat, and swim.

Crab Meadow Wetlands and Beach