In 1967, the Eberstadt family donated 80 acres of their Lloyd Neck estate to the federal government, converting it into the Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge. Originally a landscape adorned with landscaped gardens, award-winning rhododendrons, and exotic plants, the property now boasts a mature oak-hickory forest, half a mile of rocky beach, brackish ponds, and several vernal ponds. The refuge, established under the Migratory Bird Conservation Act, showcases the transformation of privately held coastal land into a thriving habitat for wildlife. Remnants of the former Eberstadt estate still remain within the refuge, with some garden plants surviving and rhododendrons being moved to the New York Botanical Garden. The estate house was demolished in 1995, marking another step towards the property's transformation. The refuge is particularly significant for its water resources, as its brackish pond supports a diverse food web, and several vernal ponds provide seasonal breeding and feeding areas for wildlife. Research highlights the importance of protected shoreline habitats in addressing pressures faced by coastal species like piping plovers. Target Rock's location within the Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex makes it an essential part of the Atlantic Flyway, providing habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. A study published in Ecology and Evolution found that protected refuges continue to play a crucial role in conserving bird communities as species distributions shift due to climate change. Visitors can explore Target Rock's trails to witness a variety of songbirds, sea ducks, shorebirds, and occasionally harbor seals. The refuge is a testament to the harmonious coexistence of conservation and history, as it preserves traces of its past while providing habitat for a diverse array of wildlife species.