The use of dredged material islands by colonial nesting seabirds and wading birds in New Jersey was examined in five major phases. The first located dredged material islands from Manasquan to Cape May Inlets, NJ; the second recorded the past history of all colonial nesting seabirds and wading birds in New Jersey; the third recorded the vegetation patterns and succession on 21 dredged material islands selected for intensive study; the fourth recorded the distribution in 1977 of colonial seabirds and wading birds in the study area and their utilization of dredged material islands; and the fifth documented those factors influencing the use and selection of dredged material islands by birds in 1977. Nineteen management recommendations for dredged material islands are stated, including annual wildlife surveys, careful monitoring of contractor performance, attention to record keeping, preservation of alternative colony sites, rotational use and management of dredged material islands, proportional habitat creation and management, and protection of all islands with bird colonies.