The Bay Area Conservancy Program Celebrating Fifteen Years 15

1 The Conservancy is fortunate to work with fantastic partners. Our conservation and education goals could not be met without the hard work and expertise of partner organizations and agencies. The projects featured throughout this report have been accomplished thanks to the organizations and public agencies below, the recipients of Conservancy grants over the past 15 years. Contents Dear Friend: Nonprofit Organizations Bay Area Cities We are thrilled to be celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Area Acterra Palo Alto Partners 2 American Rivers Albany Petaluma Conservancy Program. To those who established the Bay Program legislatively, delivered the Arc Ecology Benicia Redwood City Introduction 3 projects funded by the Bay Program, provided matching funds or support, or simply enjoyed a Bay Access, Inc. Berkeley Richmond Bay Nature Institute Brentwood Richmond Redevelopment Agency Who We Are 4 new or park, we say Thank You! Bay Area Open Space Council Brisbane San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Council Concord San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department The Coastal Conservancy, which houses the Bay Program, is proud of what we have achieved Berryessa and Conservation East Palo Alto San Leandro Focus Areas Blue Ridge Berryessa Natural Area Conservation Partnership El Cerrito San Jose in our first fifteen years. This report outlines the major accomplishments in each program Invasive Plant Council Fairfield San Mateo The Greenbelt 6 California Land Stewardship Institute Half Moon Bay Santa Rosa area and highlights exemplary projects in each of the Bay Area’s nine counties. The number California Sportfishing Alliance Martinez Sausalito Creeks and Rivers 8 of projects completed is staggering, and represents the hard work and commitment of both California State Parks Foundation Oakland Sebastopol California Wildlife Foundation Pacifica Community Based Projects 10 individuals and organizations to protect open space, restore , preserve local farms and Carquinez Regional Environmental Education Center Bay Area Counties Center for Ecosystem Management and Restoration 12 ranches, protect our waterways, and connect people to nature. County of Contra Costa Circuit Rider Productions Local Farms 14 Coastal Conservancy Association County of Marin Our partners have included land trusts, open space districts, cities and counties, water districts, Coastal Watershed Council County of Napa Regional Trails 16 Conservation Corps North Bay County of San Mateo ports, fellow state agencies, federal resource agencies, environmental and community organi- Coastside Land Trust County of Santa Clara Urban Waterfronts 18 zations, private foundations, and local universities. Working together, we have moved projects Delta Science Center County of Sonoma Ducks Unlimited Marin County Department of Parks and Open Space Education Centers 20 from dreams to reality, benefiting the people and wildlife of the Bay Area. EcoCity Builders San Mateo Environmental Services Agency Conservation Planning 22 Ecotrust Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department What’s next? We are in significantly tougher economic times right now, and for the foreseeable Foundation Sonoma County Regional Parks Friends of the San Francisco Ports future we will not likely see a level of funding comparable to the Bay Program’s first fifteen Around the Bay Friends of San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department years. Within the next two to three years our grant funds for new projects will be spent. Port of Richmond Friends of Sausal Creek San Francisco 23 However, the Conservancy will continue to dedicate staff time and resources to the projects we Audubon Society Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Special Districts and Joint Powers Authorities North Bay 24 are currently leading. As new state or regional funds become available, the Conservancy will Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District 26 continue our work to ensure that the Bay Area remains among the best places on earth. GreenInfo Network Alameda County Resource Conservation District Island Conservation Alameda County Water District South Bay and Peninsula 28 KTEH-TV Foundation Bay Area Clean Water Agencies Sincerely, Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation Bay Area Toll Authority LandPaths Contra Costa County Resource Conservation District Land Trust of Napa County East Bay Municipal Utility District The Next 15 Years 30 Land Trust of Santa Clara County East Bay Regional Park District Thanks 31 Literacy for Environmental Justice , Highway and Transportation District Marin Agricultural Land Trust Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District Marin Audubon Society Greater Vallejo Recreation District Douglas Bosco Samuel Schuchat Martin Luther King Junior Freedom Center Harmony Union School District Muir Heritage Land Trust Livermore Area Recreation and Park District Cover photos: top © Jitze Couperus; bottom, 1 & 2 – Annie Burke; 3 – Judy Irving © Pelican Media Board Chair Executive Officer National Audubon Society Marin County Open Space District Natural Heritage Institute Marin County Resource Conservation District Occidental Arts and Ecology Center Marin Municipal Water District Ocean Song Farm and Wilderness Center Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District Pacifica Land Trust Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District Peninsula Open Space Trust Napa County Resource Conservation District

PRBO Conservation Science Novato Sanitary District C harlotte F iorito Point Reyes National Seashore Association Regional Agency Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Joint Powers Authority Watch San Mateo County Resource Conservation District Sail San Francisco Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Riparian Joint Venture Solano Resource Conservation District San Francisco Bay Joint Venture Solano Transportation Authority Project Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society Sonoma County Water Agency San Francisco Estuary Institute Sotoyome Resource Conservation District San Francisco Maritime National Park Association Southern Sonoma County Resource Conservation District San Francisco Parks Trust Zone 7 Water Agency San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association San Francisquito Watershed Council Council of Governments San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Foundation Association of Bay Area Governments Save Save San Francisco Bay Association () State Agencies Save the Redwoods League California Department of Parks and Recreation Solano Land Trust California Department of Fish and Game Sonoma Ecology Center California Department of Water Resources Sonoma Land Trust Delta Protection Commission Spanish Speaking Unity Council Wildlife Conservation Board Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods Federal Agencies Sustainable Conservation : Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers The Nature Conservancy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Don Edwards San Francisco Bay U.S. Geological Survey Watershed Council Universities Tri-Valley Conservancy California State University, Sacramento: Center for Collaborative Policy Trout Unlimited Regents of the University of California Trust for Public Land University of California, Berkeley Urban Ecology University of California Natural Reserve System J B rosnan

1 3 Who We Are Fifteen years ago, State Senator Byron Sher, a “I’m gratified that champion of California’s natural environment, Fifteen years introduced a visionary bill to establish the San my colleagues in the Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program. Signed Over 425 Projects by Governor Wilson later that year, the bill was Legislature joined me in both the culmination of years of work by the Bay creating the Bay Area Protected Land: 83,772 acres Area Open Space Council and the beginning of an 15 effective new program for open space protection, Conservancy Program. Projects: 34,793 acres habitat restoration, and regional trails and recreation in the nine-county Bay Area. It has exceeded my 4 Regional Trails: over 200 miles Integrating the Bay Program into the existing expectations, advancing 50 Creeks or Rivers structure of the State Coastal Conservancy meant that it could start funding projects right away. hundreds of projects and Conservancy Funding: $316,879,524 Over the past fifteen years, the Bay Program has implemented voter-approved state bond empowering citizens and Matching Funds: $1,029,286,584 measures for clean water and safe parks, namely Propositions 12, 40, 50 and 84. These essential local agencies to work funds have been granted to local non-profits towards a sustainable and public agencies to undertake projects and have been used by the Bay Program to manage Bay Area.” The Conservancy received $63 million in grants projects. for Bay Area projects over the past 15 years The Conservancy works in each of the Bay Area’s nine counties on regionally significant Byron Sher, projects. We protect our greenbelt, provide new parkland, and preserve farming and ranching. former California State Senator Wildlife Conservation Board: $40 million for Baylands Restoration We restore wetlands in San Francisco Bay and on the coast. We protect watersheds, improving CALFED’s Ecosystem Restoration Program fish passage and habitat on creeks and rivers. We provide access to natural areas for urban California Department of Water Resources’ Integrated Regional orn populations, construct educational and recreational facilities, and enhance our waterfronts. We Water Management Program plan and construct major regional trails — namely the Bay Trail, Ridge Trail, Coastal Trail, and Caltrans mitigation funds required by BCDC the Water Trail — while connecting them to local communities. Caltrans’ Transportation Enhancement Grants

We work with our partners using a host of strategies. We protect land by acquiring full ownership C ait H utnik L ightof M Coastal Impact Assistance Program through the Natural Resources Agency when needed to achieve public management goals, and by pursuing landowner agreements to conserve open space at a reduced cost while allowing ranchers, farmers, and others to continue Ducks Unlimited to steward their lands. We often provide up-front planning and design support for public Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation access and restoration projects, and then leverage other sources of grant funding to provide the FUNDING Marin Community Foundation construction financing to complete them. This has brought great dividends in expanding the NOAA’s Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program reach of our funding, typically by a factor of three. Conservancy Bay Program Funding: $193,106,715 NOAA’s Fisheries Restoration Center: American Recovery and With fifteen years of proven success, we ask ourselves “What do the next fifteen years hold?” Other Conservancy Funding: $123,772,809 Reinvestment Act Funds We have done so much to protect the Bay Area’s wildlife habitats, working farms and ranches, Resources Legacy Fund creeks, rivers, wetlands, waterfronts, and parks, yet there is still much work to be done. With Matching Funds: Grants to Conservancy: $63,795,563 public health challenges facing our communities and becoming a significant San Francisco Public Utilities Commission mitigation funds required State Matching Funds: $194,960,758 challenge for our region, we understand the importance of continued conservation and education by BCDC work in the years to come. Non-State Matching Funds: $770,530,263 San Francisco Foundation Water District Trust for Public Land 2002 U.S. EPA’s San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Program Passage of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Coastal Wetlands Proposition 40, Conservation Grant Program February January with $40 million 1997 1998 for Bay Program For work on the Bay Area Water Forum and the Integrated Regional Water Enabling Legislation takes Management Plan, the Conservancy managed funds from Alameda County, Bay Area Legislation effect; Bay Program 2000 2002 2006 begins grant making Water Supply and Conservation Agency, Contra Costa County, Contra Costa Water introduced by Passage of Passage of Passage of Senator Sher and project District, East Bay Municipal Utility District, Marin Municipal Water District, Poseidon management Proposition 12, Proposition 50, Proposition 84, Resources, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, Santa Clara Valley Water with $55 million with $20 million with $108 million October District, and Sonoma County. for Bay Program for Bay for Bay Program 1997 Program Bill signed by Governor Wilson 1998 – 2012 Over 425 conservation projects in the Bay Area undertaken using Conservancy funds

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 4 5 The Greenbelt “The legacy of our

2011, partially funded with a grant from the cooperative planning and Conservancy. The plan envisions a trail to the Conservancy’s support the top of Mindego Hill, which will soon give the public a view of the Pacific Ocean and will be generations surrounding hills that is truly awe-inspiring. learning to appreciate and sustain the unique natural, In 2003, the Sonoma Land Trust, over six hundred local donors, the Sonoma County historical and cultural Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, the Wildlife Conservation Board, the resources at Tolay Lake.” Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and the Conservancy successfully averted a very real Greg Sarris, Chairman, threat – a major casino resort development Federated Indians at Sears Point along Highway 37. Thanks to of Graton Rancheria this tremendous effort, the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria’s generous cooperation, Mindego Hill

A udrey R ust and two subsequent conservation acquisitions, Tolay Creek will now forever connect from its headwaters down through the watershed The Bay Area’s Greenbelt functions to protect all that we value in the Bay Area. to a seven-mile stretch of protected baylands. The acquisitions of Sears Point, Roche Tolay Lake Ranch, and Tolay Lake Ranch protected over It provides clean air, clean water, recreation and California State Parks, the East Bay adjacent preserve, thousand-acre Mindego Hill 5,700 acres of wildlife habitat, including education. It is the home for our wildlife, the Regional Park District, the East Contra proved a critical addition to the Midpeninsula oak woodlands, grasslands, open meadows, spine of our skyline, and the space we play in. Costa Habitat Conservancy and others to Regional Open Space District’s network of riparian habitat, and wetlands, and secured conserve portions of Mount Diablo under parks in the . One access to panoramic views of the Bay and its The Conservancy and its partners have made threat from encroaching development. We of only 10 locations statewide known to surrounding peaks. Within these protected significant strides towards permanently have provided funding assistance for the provide habitat for a robust population of the lands lies 200-acre Tolay Lake, the only protecting the region’s essential habitats, conservation of properties including Clayton endangered San Francisco garter snake, the remaining freshwater lake in the San Pablo watersheds, and open spaces. Over a quarter Ranch, Silva Ranch, Wright Ranch, the Mount property was purchased with Conservancy Bay watershed and one of the most prolific of our region’s 4.3 million acres are now Diablo Gateway Parcel, Mangini Ranch, assistance in 2008. Protection of Mindego sites in the country for Native American protected, making the Bay Area one of the Chaparral Spring, and Bertagnolli Ranch. Hill has been a priority for the District and carved rock charmstones, used for ceremonial most “natural” urban landscapes in the world. These properties total nearly 2,200 acres, Peninsula Open Space Trust for over 30 years. and other purposes up to 4,000 years ago. Through 112 land acquisitions covering significantly expanding the amount of essential Since then, the District and POST have approximately 85,000 acres, the Conservancy, protected lands on Mount Diablo. worked to plan for the property’s future, King-Swett Ranches public land managers and land trusts Mindego Hill raising funds to construct the necessary The steep grasslands, oak woodlands and have protected critical wildlife habitat and improvements to allow public access. The riparian corridors of the Vallejo-Swett, King, connecting corridors, secured open space and With ridge-to-ocean views, four miles of creek District expects to provide parking on adjacent and Eastern Swett Ranches form the 3,930- viewshed lands, and preserved the bay area’s corridors, and excellent trail connections to an property the District and POST acquired in acre core of a band of protected open space, ranching and agricultural heritage. rich wildlife habitat, and rangeland between the cities of Benicia, Vallejo and Fairfield. This Mount Diablo Mount Diablo King Ranch band of open space, known as the Sky Valley- Rising above the Sacramento-San Joaquin Cordelia Hills Open Space, is located close A nn B uell River Delta, the ridges of the Coast Range and to Interstates 680 and 80 and was identified the Central Valley, Mount Diablo is at once a by local planning groups in the early 1990s scenic landmark, a premier outdoor recreation as an important urban buffer. In a series of area, and an island of biodiversity. It is home acquisitions starting in the early 2000s, the to 253 vertebrate animal species, while its Solano Land Trust purchased these three 900 plant species — three quarters of which ranches from PG&E with funding provided are native — represent one tenth of the native by the Conservancy, the Moore Foundation, plants found in California. More than 150 the Wildlife Conservation Board and Solano species are rare or threatened, with 11 found County. The Land Trust actively manages the only here. three ranches and conducts guided hikes for Since the late 1990s, the Conservancy the public. has partnered with Save Mount Diablo,

6 1 Creeks and Rivers Creeks and rivers are the Bay Area’s lifeblood, providing clean water to sustain the region’s natural habitat and wildlife.  The Rutherford Reach Historically impacted through channelization, water diversion and development, these waterways have become Restoration is a pioneering private-public the focus of intensive efforts to restore riparian function as well as improve fish passage. The Conservancy has partnership between local landowners, the Rutherford Dust Society, Napa County, and worked to enhance the functioning of the region’s watersheds by providing restoration planning, design and the Napa County Resource Conservation construction assistance for 50 creeks and rivers to date. District to restore 4.5 miles of the main stem of the Napa River. Preliminary design for the entire project, funded Ellis Creek Restoration by the Conservancy and Napa County, With Conservancy funds, the Southern was completed in 2008, and phased anchor watersheds Sonoma County Resource Conservation construction is now underway. District successfully stabilized and re- In 2007 the Conservancy funded a  The retrofit of the historic Zinfandel Lane vegetated an eroding half mile of Ellis study by the Center for Ecosystem Bridge, completed in 2011 by Napa County Creek (a tributary to ) in in cooperation with the RCD, removed Management and Restoration, coordination with a California Integrated a crucial fish passage barrier on the

which evaluated the Bay Area orn Waste Management Board project to remove Napa River. The project has immediately thousands of tires placed in the creek decades watersheds having the highest benefited Chinook salmon and steelhead ago for erosion control. Working with restoration potential for steelhead trout by restoring access to 65 miles of the landowner, the RCD planted riparian habitat in the upper Napa River watershed.

trout. It identified eight as “anchor C ait H utnik L ightof M vegetation, installed streamside fencing, and watersheds” accounting for three  The Conservancy has also implemented a solar-powered watering trough quarters of the region’s habitat funded the RCD to assess system. The farmer is now able to selectively high priority fish barriers in graze the riparian corridor for invasive weed resources. These eight — the the Napa River basin and control while preventing soil loss and avoiding Guadalupe and Napa rivers, and the San Francisco Estuary damage from year-round grazing access in this Alameda, Coyote, San Francisquito, Institute for an historical sensitive creek. Corte Madera, Sonoma and Suisun ecology assessment of the Napa River creeks — have become a focal point Napa Valley — both efforts for Conservancy restoration efforts. that provide a context for The Napa River runs along a fertile valley our ongoing restoration work Restoration work on other creeks floor centered in a watershed of 450 square throughout the watershed. miles. Despite the pressures of urbanization, and rivers in the Bay Area remains Restoring steelhead runs in this urban creek agriculture, and grazing, the watershed has valuable when it achieves a variety Suisun Creek has wide-ranging benefits for the community, high restoration potential. Recognizing the Significant steelhead trout and salmon runs of objectives. The mostly rural 53-square-mile Suisun Creek the creek, and the Bay itself. “We’re already seeing importance of this anchor watershed, the once existed in Alameda Creek. However, 80 watershed drops down from southeastern Conservancy has funded the following: years of urbanization, water diversion and Napa County into Solano County and East Bay Creeks a significant improvement flood control projects have created migration drains into . In the late 1990s, barriers, reduced water flows in the creek The Conservancy has enhanced the natural in controlling erosion and a wide-ranging group of stakeholders, and eliminated the fish runs. Despite these and recreational resources of several major including ranchers and farmers, advocates soil loss from the changes, much of the watershed still provides East Bay Creeks, including Arroyo Viejo, for the restoration of native fisheries, the suitable fish rearing and spawning habitat, Sausal, and Codornices Creeks in Alameda City of Vallejo, and resource agencies came enhancement project at and steelhead trout have been seen trying to County and Baxter, Cerrito, Marsh, Pinole, together with a common vision of restoring migrate upstream in Alameda Creek on many and Rheem Creeks in Contra Costa County. the fishery and other natural resources in Ellis Creek. The combination occasions since 1998. Unfortunately, these fish Grants to cities and nonprofit creek groups the watershed. The California Sportfishing are prevented from reaching their available allowed for the planning and construction of the exclusionary fencing Protection Alliance, with a grant from the spawning habitat by a variety of obstacles. of regional trail connections that run along Conservancy, prepared a Suisun Creek and new riparian plantings Since 1999, the Alameda Creek Fisheries creek banks, the installation of interpretive Watershed Assessment and Enhancement Restoration Work Group, a consortium of signs and educational features, the removal Plan. Then, with grants from the Conservancy work together and it’s a a dozen state, local and federal partners of straightened concrete channels and and others, the Alliance and the California including the Conservancy, has been seeking culverts, the removal of dams and other fish noticeable difference in Land Stewardship Institute embarked on a ways to overcome these obstacles to fish barriers, and the restoration of native riparian long-term program of working with ranchers migration. The Work Group’s planning efforts vegetation. These projects benefit water just a couple of years.” and farmers to eradicate extensive stands of have focused on removal of fish barriers, quality, fish, and song birds, while greening non-native giant reed that clogged Suisun studies to determine how to improve stream our urban spaces and connecting East Bay Andrew & Nicholas Flocchini, Creek and its tributaries, to restore native habitat and management of water flows, and residents to nature. riparian vegetation, and remove other barriers Ranchers adapting existing infrastructure to protect fish. Napa River: Zinfandel Lane Bridge to movement of the migratory steelhead.

1 9 Community-Based Projects Save The Bay Restoration Hands-on projects provide excellent opportunities to learn scientific to re-contour the meandering path of the concepts and gain a greater understanding of the natural world. historic stream. In December 2006, Acterra staff and volunteers began the process of These projects also empower people to make aquatic insects, native plants, and stream flow, recreating a seasonal stream corridor to positive changes to their local environment, the and students gained confidence in analyzing support willows and other riparian plants and first step to long-lasting, sustainable change environmental problems. to provide habitat for California red-legged frogs, California tiger salamanders and other within a community. Eco-Oakland Program wildlife. The work involved volunteers in The creeks and wetlands of East Oakland are weed removal, habitat creation, installation of Many nonprofit organizations and public among the most important bird and wildlife plants grown in Acterra’s native plant nursery, agencies working on restoration of and and long-term monitoring to insure plant habitats in the Central Bay. Unfortunately, Conservancy funding enabled the removal of public access to the ’s establishment and increased biodiversity. many of these important habitats are more than 41,500 pounds of invasive plants, baylands, coastal habitats, creeks, rivers, and degraded. Trash clogs the creeks that feed oak woodlands have sought ways to include Save The Bay followed by the planting of 48,000 native and there is significant plants. All of the plants were propagated in students, community volunteers, and residents As climate change progresses, healthy tidal erosion on the creek banks in East Oakland. Save The Bay’s native plant nurseries. This in habitat restoration and trail building work. wetland habitat will be a crucial tool in Along the Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional work was completed with the help of over In 2003 and 2007, Conservancy staff solicited fighting sea level rise. Save The Bay conducted Shoreline and within the greater San Leandro 12,400 volunteers — totaling over 41,400 proposals for projects that would involve restoration and enhancement of tidal wetland Bay watershed, invasive plant species have volunteer hours. Within these sites, invasive community members in the protection of the displaced the native vegetation that is crucial habitat at four locations: Bay Area’s environment. The Conservancy plant coverage has decreased by an average for wildlife habitat. The Golden Gate Audubon  Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline, provided approximately $2.5 million to of 63%. Save The Bay’s strong partnerships Society’s Eco-Oakland Program connects with East Bay Regional Park District. with local schools, civic groups, businesses 28 different nonprofit organizations and underserved East Oakland schoolchildren Eden Landing Ecological Reserve, with and resource agencies increase awareness of, public agencies for hands-on projects that and community members with their local  involved over 50,000 people throughout the California Department of Fish and Game. support for, and participation in the protection environment ­— reaching roughly 3,000 and restoration of tidal wetland and estuarine Bay Area, including many from underserved  San Francisquito Creek, with City of Palo community members annually. Students habitat. communities. Four of the projects are featured learned how their lives connect with and rely Alto Baylands Nature Preserve. here, with the map showing the even wider upon local ecosystems, starting with the most  , with Don Edwards San reach of these grants. familiar habitats and extending throughout Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed the San Francisco Bay watershed to the Pacific Ocean. Students took field trips to explore Participants in Students and Teachers Restoring and restore creek and wetland areas within a Watershed, or STRAW, contribute to the pro- the San Leandro Bay watershed, where they tection and improvement of streams, aquifers, investigated water quality, studied plants and and terrestrial resources in the North Bay. invertebrates, and studied the role water plays “One thing I found interesting Over 600 students, teachers, and volunteers in uniting the ecosystem. was planting trees and going participated in habitat restoration activities in the watersheds of , Laguna Pearson-Arastradero Project on a hike. I learned that you de Santa Rosa, Tomales Bay, and the Napa Over 1,000 community volunteers helped River. Their efforts stabilized eroding banks to restore riparian habitat at the Pearson- are always capable of learning and restored functioning habitats to creek and Arastradero Preserve, a 13-acre park in new things. I loved this trip.” wetland ecosystems to improve habitat for en- Santa Clara County. A 1,100-foot section of dangered and threatened species, and restored the Arastradero Creek tributary, now known native vegetation to creek banks and wetlands. as Mayfly Creek, had been channelized Cindy, student from Oakland, Through classroom activities and field studies, through an underground concrete culvert. participant in oak planting students learned about indicators of stream Sections of the concrete culvert were removed on EBMUD lands and watershed health, water quality, birds, Eco-Oakland

Eco-Oakland Pearson-Arastadero Preserve STRAW STRAW San Bruno Mountain

10 11 Pearson-Arastadero Preserve Eco-Oakland Wetlands The San Francisco Bay is one of the most spectacular urban settings

in the world, but it is also a threatened resource that has been Oakland is installing equipment to remove subjected to degradation and habitat loss for over a century. pollutants, widening the channel between the and the lake, creating Tidal wetlands are crucial features of our management. The first phase of work includes tidal marsh, increasing tidal fluctuations landscape, providing a cost-effective, natural the restoration or enhancement of 3,750 acres in the lake to create healthier habitats, and infrastructure for flood protection and water and 7 miles of new public trails, improving the restoring several bird-roosting islands. quality improvement. The Conservancy has South Bay for wildlife and people. been at the forefront of work to restore these Urban Wetlands benefits, participating in the planning or The Napa Sonoma Marsh Restoration Project restoration of nearly 35,000 acres of wetlands. The Conservancy has a strong commitment to involves the restoration of nearly 10,000 The following examples are part of over two protecting and enhancing natural areas within acres of salt ponds. The land was purchased dozen wetland initiatives that we have funded urban communities to benefit both wildlife and from Cargill in 1994 and is now managed — efforts that have brought national attention people. The following projects involved signifi- as part of the Napa-Sonoma Marshes State and have been supported by Senator Feinstein, cant community involvement and support. Wildlife Area by Fish and Game. Planning the San Francisco Bay Joint Venture, and  The Yosemite Slough project, currently of the restoration work was facilitated by the many others. J itze C ouperus under construction by the California State Conservancy in partnership with the Corps of Engineers and Fish and Game. Restoration South Bay Salt Ponds Parks Foundation in Candlestick State Park in Southeast San Francisco, includes habitat began in 2005 with $15 million in funds The South Bay Salt Ponds along the San restoration for birds and other wildlife, from the California Bay-Delta Authority and “The Conservancy’s technical Mateo, Santa Clara, and Alameda shorelines cleaning of polluted urban runoff, neighbor- the Wildlife Conservation Board, resulting in assistance, management are the largest wetland restoration project on hood greening, and improvements to public the enhancement of 1,700 acres of managed South Bay Salt Ponds the West Coast. The 15,100 acres of ponds access — including a Bay Trail segment. ponds for waterfowl and shorebirds and the support, and funding have were acquired from Cargill in 2003 with restoration of nearly 3,000 acres to full tidal  The wetlands were restored 10 funds from the Wildlife Conservation Board, action — making it the largest completed tidal been essential for regional years ago by the Golden Gate National Park U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Goldman habitat restoration in San Francisco Bay to Conservancy on National Park Service land. Fund, and the Hewlett, Packard, and Moore date. The completed work has significantly coordination, vision, and the The 20-acre urban wetland and environ- Foundations. Planning and implementation improved wildlife habitat and hunting and mental education center is visited by thou- acceleration of the pace of wetland restoration, flood management, fishing opportunities, as well as wildlife sands of residents and tourists each year, and public access has been facilitated by the viewing. The Corps of Engineers will soon and has become one of the Bay Area’s most of wetland restoration in Conservancy, in partnership with the Fish and start the restoration of the remaining ponds. Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish important resources for understanding the the Bay. We are truly in a interface between urban and natural areas. Hamilton Airfield and Game, local flood management agencies, wetlands renaissance.” USGS, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and  The Lake Merritt project includes several The Hamilton Wetland Restoration Project’s others. The project is being implemented over innovative actions to improve the nation’s goals are four-fold: tidal and seasonal wetland decades, with a strong emphasis on adaptive oldest wildlife sanctuary. The City of restoration in the Marin Baylands; beneficial Beth Huning, San Francisco Bay reuse of dredged sediment; the clean-up and Joint Venture reuse of a former military property; and completion of a segment of the Bay Trail. At 2,600 acres, Hamilton is the largest wetland restoration project in the United States to beneficially reuse dredged sediment. In 2003, the Conservancy acquired the 700-acre Invasive Spartina Project Hamilton Airfield at no cost from the Army Base Realignment and Closure program. Invasive Spartina is a highly aggressive, non- Placement of dredged material from the native plant that significantly alters both the Port of Oakland’s harbor deepening project Lake Merritt physical structure and biological composition started in 2008 and the Airfield was filled of San Francisco Bay’s wetlands. A region-wide with sediment by the end of 2010. The Corps South Bay Salt Ponds of Engineers is currently grading the fill, eradication project led by the Conservancy and preparing for installation of tens of thousands the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has become © P elican M edia J udy I rving of native plants, and planning for construction a successful model for effectively treating an Crissy Field of a Bay Trail segment. In 2013 the outboard invasive species — with multiple landowners, levee will be breached to allow full tidal © P elican M edia J udy I rving non-profits, and agency stakeholders partici- action. After completion of the Hamilton Airfield, the Conservancy and Corps plan to pating in the project. Since 2003, the total start the restoration of the adjoining 1,600- infestation of hybrid Spartina in the Bay has acre Bel Marin Keys. been reduced from a high of more than 800 acres to fewer than 85 acres in 2011.

12 1 C harlotte F iorito “The Conservancy grant made the difference in making the EcoVillage Local Farms project a reality. It takes youth out The Bay Area is fortunate to have a remarkable diversity of food of their day-to-day environment,

produced within close range, and few realize that over 40% of Bay how to restore, value, and protect ecological allowing them to interact with Area lands remain as farms and ranches. systems while growing crops for consumption nature. It’s an incredible amount and caring for farm animals. The program provides workshops on composting, water and of new knowledge they gain by Over 170 farmers markets provide a “face” from nonagricultural development, and has energy conservation, understanding ecological to our local food supply and a tangible protected more than 44,000 acres. Since systems, permaculture design, natural pest learning how to grow food.” connection to the land. The region’s wine, 1983, the Conservancy has granted MALT management, creek restoration and watershed specialty produce and cheese have achieved a total of $9,705,100 for the acquisition of protection, and organic gardening. The Shyaam Shabaka, EcoVillage international appeal, and our ranching 21 easements totaling 13,594 acres. Along program also works with educators interested heritage has been a foundation for long- with the landowners, major partners include Founder and Director in developing school-based gardens. term land stewardship. Nearly $2 billion of California Department of Conservation, the economic value comes from these landscapes Wildlife Conservation Board, the Natural Brentwood each year. Resources Conservation Service, Caltrans, and Irrigated farmlands near the City of With Conservancy support, the Napa County the Moore Foundation. Yet because the Bay Area is also an urban Brentwood in eastern Contra Costa County Resource Conservation District contracted with EcoVillage Farm in Richmond

region, farming and ranching are under As consumers seek higher quality and locally provide fresh fruit and vegetables year-round Laurel Marcus & Associates and worked with -T orres , E co V illage A lfonzo M artinez continued and increasing pressures. High grown foods, a growing number of ranchers for Bay Area population centers just minutes diverse stakeholders to develop a version of operating costs, competition and land values and farmers are diversifying their crops and away. While some 12,000 acres of farmland the Fish Friendly Farming program expressly threaten many agricultural ventures. The undertaking direct sales of their products. just southeast of Brentwood’s urban limit line for Napa County. The program helps land Conservancy works with local and regional Ranches protected by Conservancy-funded were recently designated “agricultural core” in managers develop and implement farm-specific land trusts, county park and resource districts, easements include: Giacomini Ranch (its Point Contra Costa County’s General Plan, explosive management plans for their properties. The and federal agricultural programs to promote Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company produces growth in and around Brentwood saw rapid program is now managed by the non-profit agricultural sustainability through innovative Blue, Toma and white cheddar cheeses); Gale conversion of prime farmland to urban California Land Stewardship Institute in land practices, conservation Ranch (grass-fed beef and heritage uses during the late 1990s and early 2000s collaboration with the Napa Valley Vintners. agreements, and direct planning apples); Barboni Ranch (beef and and City ballot initiatives have proposed Since its inception, approximately 50,000 acres assistance. The following highlight lamb), and Grossi Ranch (beef and additional conversion. Since the early 2000s, have been enrolled in the program — more some of the many ways we can wine grapes). the Brentwood Agricultural Land Trust and than 30,000 acres have been certified and ensure that our landscapes remain the Agricultural Land Trust of Contra Costa thousands more are about to receive official EcoVillage Farm not just green, but also productive County, working closely with the City, have certification. Ninety percent of the Napa River in facilitating access to healthy, The Conservancy provided a grant to acquired agricultural conservation easements watershed is in private ownership, making local food. the Trust for Public Land to acquire over some 700 acres of strategically located this a vital component of natural resource a 5.6-acre property in the City of properties. The Conservancy recently provided protection efforts. Western Marin Richmond for the EcoVillage Farm a grant to BALT to acquire an agricultural Western Marin County boasts an abundance Learning Center. The property is now the site conservation easement over a 160-acre farm in of highly productive agricultural lands, with of a sustainable agriculture and environmental the center of the agricultural core. 200 farms and ranches on 137,000 private education program for regional youth, acres whose products are valued at more administered by Earth Island Institute. It is Napa Valley “Without the partnership and than $53 million annually. Products include accessible by public transportation and has a The Fish Friendly FarmingTM Environmental Vineyard in Napa dairy and beef cattle, field and nursery crops, rural feel despite its proximity to the cities of Certification / Napa Green Program is a support from the Conservancy aquaculture, organic fruit and vegetable Richmond and San Pablo. voluntary program for grape growers in the we simply could not have crops, and more recently, viticulture. The An “oasis of connectivity,” EcoVillage Napa Valley that enhances the Napa River

Marin Agricultural Land Trust was formed aige G reen serves local schools, community groups, and watershed, improves water quality, and restores achieved the level of protection P in 1980 to permanently protect the land non-profits. Workshops teach young people habitat with sustainable agriculture practices. of Marin’s farms and ranches

Alfonzo Martinez-Torres, EcoVillage Annie Burke that we see today. We are very EcoVillage Farm grateful that the Conservancy continues to believe in MALT’s mission by continuing to invest public funds to leverage the generous contributions from Green Certifiying at Garguilo in Napa

Janet Rae Jorgensen our donors and other funding partners.”

Bob Berner, MALT

14 15 Barinaga Ranch in Marshall

Annie Burke

Regional Trails  New trails near Salmon Creek and While the Bay Area offers its residents many outdoor opportunities, Bodega Bay developed by California State Parks, the Sonoma County Agricultural none are more bold or inspiring than its set of regional trails linking Preservation and Open Space District, and people directly to the land and to each other. the Sonoma County Parks Department.  New and restored coastal trail along Lower Redwood Creek above Muir Beach, The Conservancy has funded the development Bay Area Ridge Trail including a restored creek and adjacent of four regional trail systems, each offering The Bay Area Ridge Trail is the region’s floodplain, completed by the Golden Gate a unique experience of its own. Whether premier long-distance hiking, biking and National Parks Conservancy, National Park following the coastline or traversing ridge tops, horse-riding trail ringing the ridgelines Service and the County of Marin. skirting or floating the bay, we’ve helped plan, surrounding San Francisco Bay, linking construct, and open dozens of access points  South of the Golden Gate, the Parks people, communities, parks, open space and hundreds of miles of trails. Together, Conservancy has constructed new trails and habitat corridors. The Ridge Trail these linkages will one day provide over 1,000 and overlooks in the Presidio, at Lands offers breathtaking views as it winds 550 miles of recreational opportunities for hikers, End, and further south at in miles through open grasslands, forests, oak bikers, equestrians and non-motorized boaters Pacifica. Today the Parks Conservancy woodlands, cities and suburbs. throughout the region. and National Park Service are in the midst Any long-distance trail requires persistence of planning future trail enhancements San Francisco Bay Trail and focus to achieve connectivity over time. at , which the

Conservancy helped acquire. T rail P roject B ay The San Francisco Bay Trail is a vision for Conservancy funds have supported land acquisition, planning, design, and construction a shared-use bicycle and pedestrian path Bay Area Water Trail that will allow continuous travel around San for over a decade — leveraging federal, state, and local funds as well as individual, commu- The San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail is a “Today, Bay Area residents can Francisco Bay. Today, over 325 miles of trail San Francisco Bay Trail are complete, providing active, accessible nity, foundation and corporate funding. The planned network of access sites that will allow hike, bike and ride to more recreational opportunities for hikers, Bay Area Ridge Trail Council provides vision, people using non-motorized small boats or bicyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts, coordinating the work of many dedicated boards — such as kayaks, sailboards, dragon treasures as a superb network boats, and stand up paddleboards — to safely offering a setting for wildlife appreciation and park and open space district partners, land of trails takes shape, thanks to environmental education, and promoting clean trusts, and countless volunteers, all of whom enjoy the historic, scenic, cultural, and envi- forms of transportation. The Bay Trail will help build, maintain and promote the trail. ronmental richness of San Francisco Bay. This the Conservancy’s leadership eventually extend over 500 miles to link the Since 1998, 130 miles of new Ridge Trail have regional program is being implemented under shorelines of nine counties, passing through opened, yielding nearly 340 dedicated miles in the leadership of the Conservancy in close and funding.” 47 cities and crossing seven major bridges. nine counties. An additional 50 miles of Ridge collaboration with ABAG, the San Francisco Trail are near completion, along with public Bay Conservation and Development Com- Administered by the Association of Bay Area Janet McBride, facilities such as staging areas, trail bridges, mission, and the Department of Boating and Governments, the project is currently funded Bay Area Ridge Trail Council by the Conservancy and the Metropolitan signs, and restrooms. Set close to most Bay Waterways, along with an advisory committee Transportation Commission. Since 1999, Area residents, the trail will provide benefits representing a broad range of interests and ABAG and the Conservancy have awarded today and for generations to come. expertise. The trail was created by legislation 120 competitive grants to local governments, in 2005 as a voluntary program based upon Bay Area Water Trail special districts and nonprofit organizations the vision of the non-profit Bay Access, Inc. for planning, design and construction of new The Conservancy is charged with completing and a plan developed by BCDC. With site des- Bay Trail segments and associated amenities. the ambitious California Coastal Trail, a ignation just begun, more than 100 potential The program has resulted in significant planned 1,200-mile route along the entire trailheads are being considered for inclusion in progress: 57 miles of trail construction, new California Coast. Over 137 miles of the Bay the network. Designed to benefit site users, site shoreline destination areas, interpretive signs, Area’s 170-mile segment are currently open to owners, and the Bay environment alike, the trail amenities, public outreach, regional trail the public, extending through Sonoma, Marin, Water Trail program will provide a website, analysis and project-specific plans for an San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties, maps, and brochures with information about additional 130 miles. including the Golden Gate Bridge. Recent facilities at designated landing and launching Coastal Trail Projects include: sites, safe and environmentally sound boating practices, and Bay wildlife and habitat. P enny W ells Jessica Weinberg Laronne Nicolai Dena Justice

Ridge Trail aolo V escia P

16 1 Coastal Trail at Muir Beach Ridge Trail Coastal Trail at Cowell-Purisima Urban Waterfronts As industrial uses of the Bay shoreline have waned and most shipping has been consolidated in the large ports, many cities are realizing the value of an underutilized resource.

They are revitalizing their urban waterfronts and creating new jobs through a combination of private exists to restore an historic trolley line through the main commercial area of Petaluma’s enterprises and public facilities that attract visitors. The Conservancy recognizes the lasting benefit of historic waterfront to connect with the regional these renewed waterfronts and has provided funding and technical assistance to cities at all stages of rail corridor being planned for Sonoma and urban waterfront restoration. Marin counties. Benicia Waterfront Rising sea level adds complexity to today’s major areas including climate change and sea The old boatyards, brothels and the shoreline urban waterfront restoration planning. The level rise; erosion; natural resources protection; railroad on the at the end of Conservancy is helping cities determine public access and recreation; vehicular, the First Street commercial district in the City how to design new shoreline improvements bicycle, and pedestrian access and circulation; of Benicia may be gone, but 15 acres of public responsibly, and when to strategically invest and implementation, management and land encompassing a fishing pier, a community scarce dollars to protect themselves from the maintenance. Key to the plan is realignment green, disturbed wetlands, and sandy beaches rising Bay. of the Great Highway between Skyline Blvd. lay ready for a new wave of restoration and and Sloat Ave., an area of high erosion. This Ocean Beach Master Plan urban uses. With a vision for multiple uses would allow for the implementation of several from a citizens’ Waterfront Committee and

public access and shoreline management L loyd AECOM, P hotographer D avid San Francisco’s five-mile-long Ocean Beach a grant from the Conservancy, the City has © could become one of the most spectacular improvements, including a beautiful segment embarked upon the preparation metropolitan beaches in the world, but of Coastal Trail, a better connection between of an urban waterfront master currently suffers from erosion and a lack of the and the ocean, and a plan to attract more visitors, amenities. The Conservancy provided a grant change in erosion control methods. protect and restore wetlands, to the San Francisco Planning and Urban Petaluma Trestle Rehabilitation alleviate localized flooding, Research Association (SPUR) to develop adapt to rising sea level, and a Master Plan for Ocean Beach. Recently The City of Petaluma has a pressing need enhance this vibrant completed, the Master Plan achieved an to restore public access to the 500-foot long waterfront community. unprecedented level of cooperation and historic train trestle along the Ocean Beach consensus among management agencies and in the center of downtown, now fenced off due Union Point Park key stakeholders, as well as broad, enthusiastic to the deterioration of the wooden structure. Vibrant and popular Union Point public support. The recommendations address Transportation and commerce along the river Park rose from a disused and contaminated have been defining aspects of the character industrial site on the Oakland Estuary, close many obstacles that come with converting a funds to the Santa Clara County Parks and “The Bay Area Conservancy and identity of downtown Petaluma, and the to the low-income Fruitvale and San Antonio former industrial site into a public park. Recreation Department for the planning, trestle restoration offers a means of preserving neighborhoods and about three miles south design, and construction of public access and Alviso Marina Program is a great model for how Petaluma’s urban waterfront. With support of Jack London Square. The Conservancy recreation improvements including a new from the Conservancy and the Sonoma-Marin contributed funding for park planning, land Alviso Marina County Park, although boardwalk through the marsh, tables, benches, a regional government agency Area Rail Transit District, the City will design acquisition and construction. Conservancy relatively small in size, provides a wide array viewing platforms, interpretive signage, an effective rehabilitation of the Petaluma staff also worked for years with the City and of recreational activities and educational native plantings, and an improved parking can work creatively with a broad trestle and stabilization of the riverbank Port of Oakland, the Spanish-Speaking Unity opportunities. The only public boat launch lot. The California Department of Boating spectrum of interests and get work beneath. Designs for a segment of the Council, and the Trust for Public Land to in the far South Bay, it is an excellent and Waterways funded the new boat launch. Petaluma River Trail will also be completed as The transformation from defunct marina to L loyd AECOM, P hotographer D avid engage the community in park planning; to staging area for the San Francisco Bay Trail done in a 21st century city.” © part of this project. Three of our regional trails design a park that is visually exciting, fun for as well as an access point to the adjacent community asset in 2005 has greatly benefited — the Bay, Ridge and the Water Trails — have both the waterfront community of Alviso and people of all ages and abilities to visit, and Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Gabriel Metcalf, potential to link with the Petaluma River Trail practical to maintain; and to surmount the Wildlife Refuge. The Conservancy granted the South San Francisco Bay. and the trestle improvements. Potential also SPUR

Ocean Beach Deborah Hirst

Alviso Marina Petaluma Trestle Union Point Park Petaluma Trestle

18 19 Union Point Park Benicia Waterfront

Education Centers The Conservancy is committed to connecting the people of the Bay Area to the natural wonders of our home. sustainability as a guiding principle. Located on the shores of Lake Berryessa on approximately 10 acres of land owned by the Education Centers allow children and adults to learn about wildlife habitats and our cultural heritage, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the camp will creating a sense of stewardship that will protect the investments we have made in the future. Programs be managed by the Napa County Regional at the centers highlighted below involve people in science and restoration and empower our next Park and Open Space District and will conservation leaders. accommodate groups of up to 120 campers. The Conservancy provided funds to the District to design and construct approximately Heron’s Head EcoCenter communities throughout the greater San 30 tent cabins, a campfire amphitheater, Heron’s Head EcoCenter is the Bay Area’s first Francisco and San Jose metropolitan areas. swimming areas, a canoe and kayak launch, environmental justice education facility and nature trails, and several other activity areas. Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve Once the camp is operating, the District will is a model for alternative energy systems and Nature Center cutting-edge sustainable design technologies. seek funding to add a central dining and The “off-the-grid” EcoCenter is fully powered Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve is meeting facility. Construction began in early by solar and wind energy and includes an on- one of the largest serpentine grassland 2012 and the District anticipates that the site wastewater treatment system. Literacy for areas on the Peninsula and is known for its camp will be open in the fall of 2013. Environmental Justice uses the center to foster stunning spring wildflower displays. To date, youth empowerment in the Bayview–Hunters approximately 500 different plant species have Laguna Learning Center Point neighborhood in southeast San Francisco, been identified at Edgewood, including rare, The Laguna Learning Center is located on reaching 1,200 young people each year. The threatened, or endangered species. Efforts are the City of Santa Rosa’s 112-acre Stone Conservancy helped the Port of San Francisco underway to reintroduce the threatened Bay Farm, bordering the Laguna de Santa Rosa, a Camp Berryessa transform a former landfill into Heron’s Head checkerspot butterfly that once thrived at the Park with restored wetlands and trails in 1998, Preserve. and provided funding for the development of A Conservancy grant to the San Mateo County the EcoCenter, which was completed on Earth Parks Foundation has helped foster a greater Ramsar Wetland of International Significance. Redwood Shores Branch Library Day in 2010. appreciation and understanding of this park’s The City acquired the property in 1985 and The Interpretive Center at the Redwood “I learned that we as humans got fascinating natural history by supporting the has leased a 6-acre portion of the site to the Año Nuevo Marine Education Center Shores Branch Library features a large model to start appreciating the earth environmental education exhibits at a new Laguna Foundation to house its headquarters of the abundant life within San Francisco The new Marine Education Center at Año sustainably-designed interpretive center. and native plant nursery, and to construct the Bay’s mud. Located on the Bay Trail in more. We have to start living Nuevo State Reserve is a state-of-the-art Managed by San Mateo County, the Bill and Laguna Learning Center. The Foundation Redwood City, the Interpretive Center is a coastal education facility on the San Mateo Jean Lane Education Center was opened to the renovated an historic Civil War-era farmhouse strong draw for both children and adults. As more mindful of what we do.” coast that provides more than 200,000 annual public in the spring of 2011. The exhibits were on the site into its headquarters. Conservancy families enter the library, the children run over visitors with hands-on opportunities to learn designed with the needs of teachers in mind, funds were used for construction of the new Redwood Shores Branch Library to squirm through a tunnel, watch fish swim Reneka, Heron’s Head about the charismatic elephant seal and as the site is within 20 miles of most schools Laguna Learning Center’s building and in the aquarium, or spin the dial on the tide Eco-Center student other marine wildlife. Partially funded by in San Mateo County. To date, hundreds of grounds, which will educate the public about video to make birds swim backwards. Adults the Conservancy, the project was completed students have visited the Center, as have scout the neighboring ecosystem. The Center and its are fascinated by the map showing how close by the California State Parks Foundation troops, summer camp groups, and visitors outdoor learning component will be used for they live to a waterway. The Conservancy in 2008. By upgrading the existing visitor from throughout the Bay Area. educational programs for all ages — focusing funded the displays, which emphasize the wings move in flight. Sequoia Audubon has center and providing new space for training on the Laguna’s natural history and resources, benefits that wetlands provide. The smallest offered additional experiential education Camp Berryessa the 220 volunteer docents who lead tours of local Native American history, conservation visitors can build a bird out of sticky heads, through bird watching walks, and the Marine the Reserve, the State Parks Foundation has Camp Berryessa will be the first public science, and restoration efforts. The barn- bodies, and feet or make bird footprints on Science Institute offers an Afterschool Ecology enabled thousands more children each year environmental education camp in Napa style building is designed to fit naturally into a block of sandstone. Outside, nature lovers program for 5th and 6th graders and monthly to benefit from this invaluable educational County, and will be constructed with the site and honor its 140-year agricultural can learn to identify the birds that frequent Seaside Storytimes, sometimes bringing in live resource — including students in underserved history. and even get the feel of how animals. Edgewood Park H arris C ecily

Heron’s Head EcoCenter

1 21 Año Nuevo Marine Education Center Laguna Learning Center

Conservation Planning San Francisco Together, the Conservation Lands Network, the San Francisco Bay Subtidal Goals Project, and the Baylands Pier 14 Ecosystem Habitat Goals Report represent a milestone in regional habitat planning for the San Francisco Bay Area. The Port of San Francisco constructed the Downtown Ferry Terminal We now have a comprehensive ecosystem-based management vision for habitats ranging from the bay floor to the Public Pier, also known as Pier 14, between the recently expanded Ferry Terminal and the Bay Bridge with funds granted by the Conservancy ridge tops to the edge of the Pacific shore. Each report recommends actions to preserve, restore, and protect these and others, including the Wildlife Conservation Board. Pier 14 was built Lands End habitats, strategically guiding our investments. on top of a new breakwater that the Port constructed to protect ferry terminal boat traffic from waves during inclement weather. This easily accessible pier provides San Francisco residents and visitors with an A Bold Plan to Protect the Bay Area’s opportunity to walk out over the Bay and enjoy spectacular views of the Last Wild Places Bay Bridge, Treasure Island, and downtown San Francisco. The pier is and Working Lands accessible to people with disabilities and serves as an extension to the Bay Trail located on the Embarcadero Promenade.

Lands End Coastal Trail The nearly 2-mile link of the Coastal Trail at Lands End in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area is set on dramatic bluffs overlooking the The historic , the and the Golden Gate Bridge. More than 1.4 million visitors a year take in its spectacular coastal views. Conservation The Conservancy provided funding to the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy for major improvements to the Merrie Way parking lot, Lands which now provides a 415-foot promenade lined with wall seating and benches, a 2,000-foot segment of wheelchair accessible Coastal Trail, and Network terraced parking with landscape islands and sufficient space for tour bus drop-off, cars, bicycles and pedestrian use. This grand gateway serves as BayAreaLands.org Upland Habitat Goals Project Think Big. Connect More. the main entrance to the Coastal Trail in San Francisco. Pier 14 This remarkable science-based study was The San Francisco Bay Subtidal Habitat The Baylands Ecosystem Goals Report, led by the Bay Area Open Space Council. Goals Report was released in 2010, outlining completed in 1999 by over 100 scientists Over 125 organizations and individuals came a bold vision for a hidden part of the Bay and resource managers led by the U.S. Population: nearly 800,000 people together to identify the most essential lands Area. Led by the Conservancy with the Ocean Environmental Protection Agency and the needed to sustain the “natural infrastructure” Protection Council, Bay Conservation and Regional Water Quality Control Board, Size: 29,888 acres of our region. Over 4.3 million acres and Development Commission, NOAA Fisheries identifies the types, amounts, and distribution over 1,000 variables were considered — from and Restoration Center, and the San Francisco of bayland habitats needed to sustain diverse Total Conservancy Projects: 45 redwood forests to California red-legged frog Estuary Partnership, the 50-Year Report and healthy communities of fish and wildlife. habitat, from climate change to migratory presents a strong, non-regulatory vision for The report succeeded in articulating a vision routes. The Conservancy was an early and how to move forward with science-based for protecting and restoring 100,000 acres of ongoing supporter and funder of this effort subtidal research, protection, and restoration. wetland habitat in the Bay, and has become with several other foundations and public Marking the first time that comprehensive a key tool to support wetlands restoration. agencies. The Conservation Lands Network information about submerged areas in The Conservancy is now working to produce map, report, and interactive on-line map the Bay has been compiled, the report has a technical update to the report to incorporate were released in 2011 and are available to inspired a variety of in-the-water restoration an improved understanding of how climate land managers, legislators and local planners efforts, including oyster, eelgrass, and living change will affect the Bay’s wetlands. With the to help them make informed and integrated shoreline projects that benefit aquatic fish, impending and significant effects that climate decisions, and regularly assess the region’s invertebrates, and wildlife. change will have, there is an urgent need to progress towards these goals. ensure that they can thrive in the future.

Lorenz & Avelar

“The Bay Area is an international hotspot for biodiversity and with our regional conservation plans we have a science-based and collaboratively-created blueprint to protect it.”

1Bettina Ring, Bay Area Open Space Council 23 Lands End

Marin, Sonoma, Napa, and Solano Counties Population: over 1.3 million people “It has been a wonderful opportunity North Bay Size: 2,475,011 acres and pleasure to work with Sonoma’s Total Conservancy Projects: 145 conservationists to protect the beauty and natural resources of our home acre Petaluma Marsh. The Conservancy also San Francisco Bay Area. A part of the San provided funds to the City of Petaluma for Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research county. I have also learned to deeply wetland enhancement on 336 acres south Reserve, Rush Ranch supports 1,050 acres of of the City along the Petaluma River. This marsh that is still tidal, unlike the bulk of his- appreciate the work of the Coastal restoration effort provided a diversity of toric wetlands in Suisun Marsh that have been habitats for special status species and added converted into a patchwork of diked marshes Conservancy as an essential partner 3.5 miles of trail connecting to the popular managed for duck hunting. The Conservancy in these efforts. Its commitment, 2.6-mile Shollenberger Park trail. played a critical role in the original acquisition of Rush Ranch, previous to the formation of the investment and collaborative spirit Mt. Tamalpais Gateway Bay Program, and has since supported a range Lagunitas Creek is a major drinking water natural resource preservation and public use have truly made a difference.” source in Marin and is home to the largest activities onsite. These include a 2006 grant for remaining wild run of coho salmon in Central construction of a Nature and Education Center Theodore L. Eliot Jr., landowner, lifelong birder,

A my C hestnut California. With Conservancy funding, the that includes a classroom, research facility, former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Marin Municipal Water District conducted interpretive displays, a native plant patio, solar habitat restoration, native plant re-vegetation, panels and a windmill, and a 2007 grant to trail improvements, public education and ac- update marsh and upland restoration and man- cess improvements on creekside land in western agement plans, prepare conceptual restoration Solano County Community-Based Restoration Marin County. The project, carried out in vari- designs, and conduct environmental review. ous locations along a half-mile section of public To further youth land stewardship, the Solano Wildlake and Duff Ranches Resource Conservation District, Solano Jenner Headlands trail, resulted in restored habitat and a revital- ized and expanded public entryway and trail at Spanning some 4,000 acres of rugged terrain Land Trust, and the Center for Land-Based the Leo Cronin Fish Viewing Area — the most on ridgetops and mountainsides overlooking Learning have collaborated to engage high popular salmon viewing area in the Bay Area, Calistoga, the Wildlake and Duff ranches school students and volunteers in native habitat restoration along Blue Rock Springs Jenner Headlands where tidal salt marsh directly abuts blue oak After acquisition, the upland portion was where endangered coho can be seen spawning. support 250 species of plants, over 95% of which are native to the area. The ranches Creek, in Lynch Canyon and on the Vallejo- In 2009, the Sonoma Land Trust acquired woodland. The acquisition protected wetland given to the Marin County Open Space District The District’s volunteer network removed also include the upper watersheds of several Swett property. As part of the Center’s Student Jenner Headlands to preserve its outstanding habitat and upland refugia for the endangered for inclusion in the Rush Creek Open Space invasive plant species such as broom and tributaries to the Napa River and nearly and Landowner Education and Watershed scenic, natural and public access resources and California Preserve and was opened for public use with cape ivy, installed split rail fencing, and complete the conservation of 15 miles of Stewardship program, the students and their after years of work and $36 million in support clapper rail. The property’s previous owner, three miles of trails. Bahia’s wetlands were decommissioned paths to protect sensitive natural areas and viewshed from Angwin to teachers receive classroom instruction about from the Conservancy, the Sonoma County who had planned to develop the upland transferred to Fish and Game for inclusion habitat and reduce disturbance of spawning Robert Louis Stevenson State Park. The two local ecology, habitat restoration, conservation Agricultural Preservation and Open Space portion of the site into an upscale residential into the Petaluma Marsh Wildlife Area, and a salmon. Staff constructed a new foot bridge, ranches were acquired by the Land Trust of and stewardship and then go into the field District, the Wildlife Conservation Board, the community, ran into widespread community large portion was restored with funds from the installed a new entrance gate, and installed a Napa County with funding assistance from to remove invasive species and plant native National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin- opposition. Marin Audubon stepped in to Wildlife Conservation Board. pervious concrete parking lot to demonstrate the Conservancy, private donors, the Moore vegetation. The Conservancy provided a grant istration and others. The Jenner Headlands’ acquire the land for open space preservation rainwater infiltration and groundwater Petaluma Marsh Foundation, the Packard Foundation, and to help fund these activities, as well as the stunning 5,630 acres of rolling terraces and and wetland restoration, after assembling recharge. A public information kiosk replaced the Wildlife Conservation Board. With further monthly community work days of the Vallejo wooded slopes north of the Russian River are funds from federal, state, and local agencies The Petaluma River flows to San Pablo Bay a failing structure, and signs were installed assistance from the Conservancy, the Land Watershed Alliance and the Land Trust’s highly visible to drivers of this scenic stretch and from private contributors. through the largest ancient marsh left in near prime fish viewing areas to interpret Trust is preparing a management plan that robust volunteer land stewardship program. of coast. The acquisition will enable a suite of the San Francisco Bay. Much work has been salmonid spawning activities to visitors. encompasses the ranches as well as the State Some 120 seventh- and tenth-grade students future trails including a 2.5-mile link in the done to restore additional wetlands along the Park. The Land Trust envisions providing and 70 adult volunteers participated in California Coastal Trail. The property’s cul- river. Marin Audubon Society, with assistance Rush Ranch the ranches, the management plan and an habitat restoration activities. The project has tural and historic resources offer opportunity “This grant from the from the Conservancy, Caltrans, California The Solano Land Trust’s 2,070-acre Rush endowment to California State Parks and one invigorated the RCD’s collaboration with local for future education while its riparian areas, Department of Fish and Game, and CALFED Ranch lies on the western flanks of the Portrero day enabling public use on the entire 15-mile agencies, non-profits and civic institutions on dense redwood and Douglas fir forest, oak Conservancy has fostered one acquired and restored nearly 200 acres of Hills and in adjacent Suisun Marsh — provid- conservation corridor. In the meantime, the other stream restoration and environmental woodlands, chaparral, meadows and coastal historic tidal marsh. Located on San Antonio ing a continuum of brackish tidal wetlands of the most productive and Land Trust conducts guided hikes onsite. education activities. prairie are home to a diversity of plants, Creek, a tributary to the Petaluma River, to rolling grasslands that is now rare in the wildlife and fish — including steelhead trout high-functioning partnerships this project expanded the size of the 5,000

and coho salmon. The property’s size, variety Jack Snell of habitat and adjacency to nearly 25,000 our office has ever had! All of acres of protected lands can aid future wildlife Wildlake Rush Ranch Petaluma Marsh populations as they adapt to climate change. us are extremely grateful for

Bahia the funds that allowed us to The Conservancy provided funds to assist really begin to work together to Marin Audubon Society in the acquisition of Bahia, a spectacular and diverse 632-acre site improve Vallejo watersheds.” that is the only known location in the state Amy King, Solano Resource Conservation District 24 25 Mt. Tam Gateway

Alameda and Contra Costa Counties Population: over 2.5 million people “The Bay Area’s greenbelt got a Size: 952,320 acres East Bay big boost when the Bay Area Total Conservancy Projects: 124 Conservancy Program was created.

Franklin Ridge passing through the cities of Richmond, Working together, we have protected Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, and Oakland. between Point Richmond and Point Molate. With Located at the edge of the city of Hercules, Much of the park is tideland with only 260 significant portions of the Bay Area’s the recent completion of the 2.8-mile Landfill Fernandez Ranch and the adjacent Franklin acres of terrestrial land. This scarcity of Loop Trail connecting to the new .83-mile Canyon comprise 1,185 acres of scenic iconic landscapes. These parks and land was keenly noted during the master Wildcat Marsh trail, Richmond continues to open grassland hills, Coast live oak woodland, planning process as thousands of citizens sections of the waterfront that have long been riparian habitats, and freshwater wetlands. open spaces make the Bay Area called for diverse and sometimes conflicting inaccessible to the public. The City of Richmond, These habitats support wildlife, including uses for the area. The plan — developed by a healthy place to live.” Port of Richmond, Richmond Redevelopment the Alameda whipsnake and California East Bay Regional Park District and State Agency, East Bay Regional Park District and red-legged frog, and both properties provide Parks with Conservancy support — was private landowners have all contributed to a segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. In Robert Doyle, General Manager, adopted in December 2002 and attempted to knitting together a continuous bicycle and 2005, the Conservancy, in partnership with East Bay Regional Park District balance the public’s demands while creating pedestrian network connecting shoreline parks. the Wildlife Conservation Board, the Moore a “recreational facility harmonious with its A local trail advocacy organization, the Trails Foundation, Caltrans, and private donors, natural setting” as called for in the park’s for Richmond Action Committee, has been helped the Muir Heritage Land Trust acquire founding legislation. The Conservancy has  A fish ladder on Marsh Creek built by the provide important habitat for both of these instrumental in securing funding and mobilizing the 702-acre Fernandez Ranch. In 2008, the Dutch Slough and Marsh Creek assisted East Bay Regional Park District, State Natural Heritage Institute and American federally-listed threatened species. Alameda public support. Conservancy, with the Natural Resources The Dutch Slough Project in Parks, and the City of Berkeley with several Rivers, which will enable fall runs of County has over 800 stock ponds, yet many Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, eastern Contra Costa County Pleasanton Ridge elements of the park plan: Chinook salmon and steelhead to enter one ranchers are deciding to abandon these ponds and several private foundations provided will restore wetland habitats of the East Bay’s largest watersheds for the due to high repair costs and the burden of Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park, a 7,500-acre funding to restore riparian habitat, construct  The acquisition of the North Basin on 1,178 acres adjacent to the first time in 52 years. obtaining the required permits for repair regional park running along the undeveloped 1½ miles of Bay Area Ridge Trail, construct Property allowed for the construction of mouth of Marsh Creek near Interpretive exhibits at East Bay work. Conservancy funds were used to support Sunol and Pleasanton Ridges of Alameda an additional 3½ miles of trails, and build the Tom Bates Regional Sports Complex. Oakley. The land was purchased  Regional Park District’s Big Break the initial round of the program, which County, separates the East Bay cities of Hayward a public staging area. Building on long- Berkeley Meadows is a 50-acre former in 2003 by the Department  Regional Shoreline, which will increase resulted in the completion of five strategic and Union City from the Amador Valley cities standing community support and efforts to landfill that was graded and planted with of Water Resources with funds from the understanding and awareness of the pond restoration projects on private ranches in of Dublin and Pleasanton. In 2011, East Bay preserve the open space character of Franklin native plants to create habitat for native Conservancy and CALFED. The project is a natural and cultural resources within the eastern Alameda County. Regional Park District expanded Pleasanton Ridge (which includes other Conservancy– raptors and other wildlife. significant step in recovering the ecological Delta. Ridge Regional Park by acquiring the 955-acre funded acquisitions, namely Gustin Ranch, health of the Sacramento- Richmond’s Bay Trail  Brickyard Park is being designed as Owen property using District, Conservancy, Sky Ranch and Dutra Ranch), Muir Heritage Delta by restoring a mosaic of habitats that an entrance to the park, with stunning Wildlife Friendly Stock Ponds The City of Richmond boasts over 31 miles and Moore Foundation funds. The Owen Land Trust leveraged Conservancy and East benefit native species, such as Chinook views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San of Bay Trail — the most of any city along property features relatively level areas adjacent Bay Regional Park District funds with private salmon, while also creating public access to Through the Alameda County Wildlife- Francisco skyline. the planned 500-mile San Francisco Bay to Palomares Road that will be developed into funds to acquire the adjacent 483–acre the shoreline of the Delta. Planning has been Friendly Pond Restoration Program, the Trail route. Portions of Richmond’s formerly a staging area to allow access into the park Franklin Canyon property in 2010.  Albany Beach is being designed to facilitated by the Conservancy, in partnership Alameda County Resource Conservation industrial shoreline are now spectacular places from the west. The stunning property is steep provide for shoreline improvements, dune with DWR, California Department of Fish District, in partnership with the Natural to walk, run, ride a bike, launch a kayak or and rugged with riparian woodlands, coastal Eastshore State Park preservation and restoration, and an and Game, California Bay-Delta Authority, Resource Conservation Service, offers Alameda County ranchers matching funds and technical birdwatch. Since 1999, fifteen Conservancy scrub, windswept grasslands, and spectacular Eastshore State Park is the result of decades enhanced area for visitors. City of Oakley, Ironhouse Sanitary District, assistance for livestock pond restoration grants through the Bay Trail Project have views along the ridgetop. The Owen property of citizen efforts to protect the shoreline of  The Bay Trail Extension will be a half- Reclamation Districts 799 and 2137, and the that is specifically designed to benefit the moved the City closer to completion of the built on the 106-acre Vinson property that the San Francisco Bay. The Park totals 1,800 mile multi-use trail connection from the Natural Heritage Institute. California red-legged frog and the California Trail within its boundaries. Current projects Conservancy helped the District acquire in 2005, acres and covers eight miles of shoreline, pedestrian bridge over the freeway, along The Conservancy has also funded two projects tiger salamander. As natural habitat is lost to will close gaps and create new connections improving public access and protection of a University Avenue to the . related to Dutch Slough: development and climate change, stock ponds between Shipyard 3 and Point Richmond and wildlife corridor at the northern end of the park.

Beth Witrogen Alameda County RCD Tom Gandesbery Bruce Beyeart Wildlife Friendly Stock Pond Fernandez Ranch

26 27 Dutch Slough Eastshore State Park Bay Trail in Richmond

South Bay & Peninsula part of a flood protection project with riparian habitat built by the U.S. Sierra Vista Ridge Trail Army Corps of Engineers and the Santa Clara Valley Water District. The park provides downtown San Jose residents, workers, and visitors a spacious, green oasis in an otherwise urbanized area. This project, which integrates flood protection and the development of an urban greenway, creatively provides recreational amenities as part of a multi-objective project. The park, completed in 2004, receives over one million visitors annually.

Blair Ranch Acquisition The Santa Clara County Open Space Authority acquired the 865- acre Blair Ranch, adjacent to the Rancho Canada del Oro Open Space Preserve, in order to protect existing natural resources and provide open space and public access. Additional funding for the acquisition was provided by the Conservancy, the Moore Foundation, and the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department. POST facilitated the purchase, an important step in the long-term vision for protecting open space in the rapidly developing southwestern Santa Clara County

foothills. G erhart M att Blair Ranch adds needed recreational opportunities while also preventing Guadalupe River Park habitat fragmentation. The property is now part of a complex of connected preserves that will facilitate a proposed trail and wildlife corridor connecting Calero County Park, Uvas Reservoir County Park and over miles of foothills. With this addition to existing connected open space preserves, Blair Ranch enhances a larger vision for protecting lands and habitat that span from western San Jose to Morgan Hill.

Sierra Vista Ridge Trail Blair Ranch K arl roeber In 2011 the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority and Bay Area Ridge Trail Council realized a long-held goal of opening nearly six miles of new Ridge Trail to allow public access to the entire Sierra Vista Rancho Corral de Tierra agricultural heritage with conservation ocean, inaccessible pocket beaches, and the Open Space Preserve for the first time. A grant from the Conservancy easements and sell them to a farmer. gently sloping foothills of the Santa Cruz One of the largest tracts of privately owned, allowed for completion of over one mile of new trail and the installation Mountains. undeveloped land on the peninsula — the San Mateo Coastal Trail of two pedestrian bridges to connect the existing Boccardo Trail to the 4,262-acre Rancho Corral de Tierra in coastal  To the south at , Preserve’s trails, thereby providing access to the ridgetops above San The San Mateo coast is home to several new San Mateo County ­— was acquired by the partnerships with POST and California Jose’s and closing nearly half the gap in the Ridge Trail sections of Coastal Trail, allowing residents Peninsula Open Space Trust for $30 million. State Parks have improved the visitor leading to park lands to the south. Running along prominent ridgelines and visitors to enjoy beautiful, rugged vistas. A $9 million grant from the Conservancy in experience at this popular lighthouse surrounding the Canyon trail on Open Space Authority From north to south, the Conservancy has 2003, as well as $5 million from the California through new parking, restrooms, blufftop lands and easements, the route allows hikers to walk from a beautiful helped with the following projects: Wildlife Conservation Board, helped POST paths, and beach access stairs. low-elevation riparian corridor within Alum Rock Park to spectacular hold and manage the property until it was  A spectacular addition to the Coastal Trail vistas over 2,500 feet in elevation. The trail provides sweeping views of Pigeon Point Lighthouse Guadalupe River Park conveyed to the National Park Service in late will take place at Devil’s Slide between San Francisco Bay, the South Bay, the Peninsula and the Santa Cruz and 2011. The Rancho’s ridgetops, free-flowing Pacifica and Half Moon Bay following The Guadalupe River Park is a three-mile Hamilton mountain ranges. streams, miles of trails and old farm roads completion of the tunnel. San Mateo ribbon of parkland that runs along the are now part of the Golden Gate National County will install access improvements banks of the Guadalupe River in the heart Recreation Area. Just north of Half Moon Bay and restrooms for the new Devil’s Slide of downtown San Jose from Highway 880 to “I’m so grateful to live in a place where and within 10 miles of an urban population Coastal Trail. Highway 280. The Conservancy provided a of over seven million people, Rancho Corral  A partnership between San Mateo County grant to the City of San Jose for the creation of I can travel for miles and miles along an de Tierra forms the centerpiece of nearly and POST led to new parking and a mile- this outstanding urban park, the most visible undeveloped coast, with beautiful open space, 30,000 acres of contiguous protected natural long trail along the bluffs at Pillar Point, land. 316 acres of the Rancho that were just north of Half Moon Bay. Devil’s Slide agriculture and public trails at every turn. I in agricultural production were retained by POST, which intends to protect their  San Mateo County completed the land have the Conservancy to thank for that — for purchase and new bluff trail construction at nearby Mirada Surf, which filled a gap their critical partnership with POST over the in the Coastal Trail between El Granada Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties and Miramar. years, for their contributions to the Peninsula, Population: over 2.4 million people  POST opened the Cowell-Purisima Coastal the Bay Area and across our beautiful state.” Trail, a three mile bluff trail adjacent to Size: 1,179,665 acres farm and ranch lands just south of Half J itze C ouperus Moon Bay, with spectacular views of the Walter Moore, POST Total Conservancy Projects: 117 1 29 J itze C ouperus The Next 15 Years Thanks to the individuals who have made this report “The Coastal Conservancy has and our 15 years of success possible.

been the venture capitalist Board In the fifteen years since the San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Douglas Bosco, Chairman Program was established, much has been accomplished. of the coastal and Bay Area John Laird, Secretary for Natural Resources Alternate: Bryan Cash conservation community. Almost Mary Shallenberger, Coastal Commission Chair Alternate: Susan Hansch With our partners, the Conservancy has the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project every innovative, big, and Ana Matosanto, Department of Finance Director worked to protect, restore, and expand trails, and the Invasive Spartina Project, we plan to Alternate: Karen Finn wetlands, creeks, farms, and parks, and continue to provide staff assistance and seek precedent-setting project has Marisa Moret, Public Member connect urban populations to the amazing external funding. There may be a delay in our Ann Notthoff, Public Member open space resources of the Bay Area. From ability to complete other large projects, such their fingerprints all over it. Our Legislative Oversight Members the northern tip of Napa County to the far as Bel Marin Keys. Our grantgiving for the success is directly tied to their Senator Anthony Cannella South Bay, from Eastern Alameda County projects being undertaken by our partners will Senator Noreen Evans to the Sonoma Coast, the Conservancy has decline significantly. Hard choices about where continued participation in Senator Joe Simitian supported over 425 projects, from conceptual to spend our limited staff time and funding Assemblymember Luis Alejo Assemblymember William Monning planning through construction. Several Park will be made. this future work.” Assemblymember Das Williams and Water bonds passed by California voters The Conservancy will continue to work with Reed Holderman, over the past decade have brought more than our partners, including the Bay Area Open Executive Officers Sam Schuchat $300 million in direct assistance to the Bay Space Council and the San Francisco Bay Joint Sempervirens Fund Area through the Conservancy. Nadine Hitchcock, Chief Deputy Venture, to ensure the success of conservation Mary Small, Deputy What does the future hold? The Conservancy efforts in the Bay Area. We are also currently has distributed nearly all of the available participating in work by the San Francisco Regional Managers Amy Hutzel, Bay Area State Bond funding for the Bay Area, and Bay Restoration Authority to determine the of thousands of acres of wetlands restored in Matt Gerhart, Deputy, Bay Area the outlook for new state revenue is not potential for a regional funding measure for San Francisco Bay, hundreds of thousands Karyn Gear, North Coast encouraging, at least in the short term. The restoration of San Francisco Bay. Trish Chapman, Central Coast of acres of wildlife habitat and linkages Conservancy is aiming to find creative, cost We are cautiously optimistic that the San protected, our farms and ranches supported, effective ways to accomplish our objectives. Bay Area Project Managers Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program will and the people of the Bay Area even better Lisa Ames We know that investing in the Bay Area’s celebrate as many significant successes on our connected to the natural world around us. Michael Bowen natural infrastructure is one of the most 30th anniversary as we are celebrating this Ann Buell Those are our goals. We look forward to cost-effective means of meeting climate and year. We hope to see the Bay Trail, Ridge Trail, Brenda Buxton public health challenges. On some of the continued work with all of our partners to Su Corbaley Coastal Trail, and Water Trail completed, tens Melanie Denninger large projects we have been leading, such as achieve them. Janet Diehl Tim Duff Tom Gandesbery Joel Gerwein Deborah Hirst Peter Jarausch ...not just to residents but to businesses, visitors, and a broader state and Marilyn Latta national constituency. The high quality of the region’s environment and Jeff Melby its long history of investment in natural infrastructure have made it one Anna Schneider Jobs of the most competitive job and residential markets in the nation. Betsy Wilson These assets extend beyond the landscapes themselves — the Bay Area’s Thanks also to legal, accounting, contracts, natural resources community is itself a unique regional resource. Just as and support staff. is a national hub for high tech innovation, the Bay Area’s Key Partners natural resources community is a leader in conservation science. Local Bettina Ring, Bay Area Open Space Council construction jobs in a number of trades have been created by our wetland Beth Huning, San Francisco Bay Joint Venture and creek restoration projects and construction of education centers Judy Kelly, San Francisco Estuary Partnership and trails. Our investments in agriculture have supported farmers and A special thanks to all the members of these three ranchers in their efforts to sustain and grow their operations. organizations. The local food we grow, the skylines we save, and the water and wildlife Report Preparation we protect have all become hallmarks of the Bay Area’s way of life — Thanks to the Conservancy staff listed above who one that its citizens and institutions remain committed to — both for wrote this report and to our partners who provided photos and reviews. Special thanks to: its natural resource benefits and its value to the economy as a whole. Elizabeth Adam © P elican M edia J udy I rving The positive return on investment in our natural resources keeps a wide Annie Burke spectrum of government, business and commercial interests engaged in Sam Jenniches The Bay Area’s natural resources are in many ways re-investment. Ellen Toomey The Conservancy has been proud to play a role in this investment by Bay Area Ridge Trail its true economic engine, providing recreational, evaluating the strategic benefits of potential projects and leveraging fund- Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy GreenInfo Network habitat, and open space benefits, and food... ing for maximum benefit. We intend to continue to expand this role in the Inkworks future, by developing innovative mechanisms for continuing our work in San Francisco Bay Trail

partnership with the region’s civic, community, and industry leaders. San Francisco Estuary Institute J acob D avies Save the Redwoods League 30 Sonoma Land Trust Armstrong Redwoods 31 State Natural Reserve H ugo G arcia

“Congratulations to the Coastal Conservancy’s Bay Area Program for their remarkable accomplishments — made possible by their work with scores of private and public partners — to protect the region’s outstanding natural and scenic resources and make these resources accessible to this and future generations. Special thanks to the Conservancy for its leadership in planning and successfully implementing the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project, one of my highest priorities and proudest accomplishments.” The Honorable Dianne Feinstein, United States Senator for California

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