Long-Term Ecosystem Management Options for Gateway National Park - Spring

Advisor: Tanya Heikkila

Team Members: Kara Kirchhoff (Manager), Leah Stokes (Deputy Manager), Adelia Bahena Cuevas, Louisa Chan, Marija Filipovic, Grant Goodrich, Jennifer Haller, Ken Kasman, Monica Miller, Calder Orr, Tom Sinnickson

This capstone project develops a climate change adaptation strategy for the Gateway National Recreation Area, a large and ecologically diverse urban park spanning New York and New Jersey. As climate change intensifies, Gateway faces increasing risks from sea level rise, temperature changes, altered precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events. These impacts threaten critical ecological systems, cultural resources, and recreational infrastructure. The team analyzed projected climate scenarios and their implications for biodiversity, habitat integrity, and visitor use, while also reviewing existing management practices and policy frameworks guiding the National Park Service.

The report recommends adopting a flexible, adaptive management approach that integrates climate considerations into long-term planning and day-to-day operations. Key strategies include monitoring climate-sensitive species, enhancing habitat connectivity, improving water quality, and implementing adaptive restoration techniques to address erosion and ecosystem shifts. The project also highlights the importance of protecting cultural assets and strengthening partnerships to support land acquisition and conservation efforts. By embedding climate resilience into the park’s General Management Plan, the report provides a roadmap for safeguarding Gateway’s ecological and social value, while offering a model for other urban protected areas facing similar climate-related challenges.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Capstone Workshop.