Broadway Stages is committed to environmental sustainability in the boroughs where our production facilities are located. This includes supporting our local bird and insect population through our green roofs in Brooklyn at Kingsland Wildflowers and Eagle Street Rooftop Farm. Another place that provides a haven for local wildlife is the William T. Davis Wildlife Refuge, located on Staten Island, which is home to Broadway Stages’ Arthur Kill production facility. With almost 430 acres of diverse terrain, including salt meadows, marshland, forests, and spring-fed ponds, the Refuge is home to more than 117 bird species. According to NYC Parks, species recorded at the Refuge range from sharp-tailed sparrows, wood ducks, and several species of herons, to egrets, ibis, cormorants, hawks, and owls. Additionally, you can find snapping turtles, fiddler crabs, and muskrats. Check out recent bird sightings at eBird.

Started in 1928 by naturalist and entomologist William T. Davis and the Audubon Society, the Refuge was the first designated wildlife preserve in New York. The Refuge is located in Freshkills Park, and as part of the 2,800-acre Staten Island Greenbelt, it is part of a group of parks cared for by the not-for-profit Greenbelt Conservancy, in partnership with NYC Parks.

See for yourself! Head over to the Refuge for a nature walk to experience fresh air while viewing the stunning local wildlife. Before your visit, check for more information and directions.