Wildlife on the Brink: Northeast

"Nature, even when she is scant and thin outwardly, satisfies us still by the assurance of a certain generosity at the roots."

—Henry David Thoreau

Our nation was founded on these Atlantic shores, and the noble ideals upon which it was built were nurtured by the quiet woods, the grizzled mountains and the fish-filled rivers of the Northeast. There's still some space for contemplation in this densely populated region, but across much of the land, unbridled development and pollution are putting wildlife at risk.

IMPORTANT WILDLIFE AREAS

NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY HARBOR BIGHT: The nation's most densely populated region, spanning the estuaries, coasts, and Atlantic Ocean from Cape May, New Jersey, to Montauk, Long Island, is still vital wildlife territory. The region is a crucial nesting and feeding area for migratory birds traveling along the Atlantic Flyway. Whales and harbor seals also migrate through here, and the waters host rich fisheries of flounder, bluefish, striped bass, shad and herring.

NORTHERN APPALACHIANS: In the northeast, the Appalachians take on a variety of guises, from the gentle hills and beloved trout streams of the Catskills to New Hampshire's rugged White Mountains and the alpine lakes of Maine. Wildlife here includes white-tailed deer, bears and moose.

ADIRONDACKS: The mountains and lakes of the Adirondack region cover 2.5 million hectares of New York State. It lies in a transitional zone between the eastern deciduous and boreal forest biomes, creating a unique haven for a diverse range of plants and animals, including 55 mammal species. Rare animals in the area include the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, spruce grouse, bog turtle and timber rattlesnake.

Photo: Delaware River Gap © National Park Service