Pescadero Creek

Pescadero Creek is a major stream in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties in California. At 26.6 miles it is the longest stream in San Mateo County and flows all year from springs in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Its source is at 1,880 feet above sea level on the western edge of Castle Rock State Park, with additional headwaters in Portola Redwoods State Park, and its course traverses Pescadero Creek County Park and San Mateo County Memorial Park before entering Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve at Pescadero State Beach and thence to the Pacific Ocean 14.4 miles south of Half Moon Bay.

Rare sightings
All Images taken in March and April of 2013

Why Save The Pescadero Marsh?

The Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve is the largest coastal watershed between the Golden Gate and San Lorenzo River and is in dire need of some major conservation efforts, it shelters a diversity of wildlife in a complex of several habitats—a tidal estuary, freshwater marsh, brackish water marsh, dense riparian woods, and northern coastal scrub. Located at the confluence of two major streams, Pescadero Creek and Butano Creek, the marsh creates an important wintering ground for waterfowl on the Pacific flyway, as well as provides critical spawning and nursery habitats for steelhead trout, coho salmon, and many other native species.

*Click on images to enlarge.

Due to many causes, both natural and human-caused, the health of  Pescadero Marsh is rapidly deteriorating. Scientific studies and observation indicate critical populations of native fish and reptile species are dwindling at an alarming rate. Based on studies of one fish in particular, the native steelhead trout, experts have tracked that the population decline markedly accelerated after the marsh restoration project completed in 1997 by the California State Parks Department.

According to professional biologists and several fish and game experts, the State Parks project failed to alleviate the harmful conditions in the marsh, and in fact, due to poor operational practices, may actually be contributing significantly to the continued decline in species population. For the past 12 years, concerned citizens and other wildlife agencies have repeatedly asked State Parks to take immediate corrective action. Sadly, the Parks department’s repeated response has been “we need further studies.” Meanwhile, native species populations in the marsh have reached critically low levels.

This is a time sensitive matter, California cannot afford to lose more of its valuable native resources due to lack of action, interest, or funds of its governing bodies.

What do we do?

Under the guidance of respected scientists, we seek to obtain permits to properly restore the marsh environment and mitigate further damage to native animal species, including the endangered coho salmon, San Francisco garter snake, the threatened steelhead trout, tidewater goby, and the California red-legged frog. This multi-year effort will include collaborating with a wide scope of governmental agencies, non-profit conservation and resource protection groups, biologists, engineers, and other scientists, and private citizens with years of personal experience observing and interacting with native fish, bird, amphibian and other species in the Pescadero watershed.

Fund-raising efforts to support this initiative are underway. Your contribution can make a difference, whether it be $5 or $5000 dollars! Use the donation button and help in the efforts to enhance and restore this unique watershed so it may be enjoyed by future generations.

Join us by voicing your concerns surrounding The Pescadero Marsh and the flooding of the Butano Creek. Use our simple to use form to send your voice to the Governor and to The Secretary of Natural Resources. Your Voice matters!!

Name: First Last E-mail: Enter your comments/concerns in the text area below Case for our Environment Check this box if you would like to recieve email updates about our efforts Send my comments to The Secretary of Natural Resources Check this box if you would like your comments posted to our website type_submit_reset_13 SubmitReset

Questionnaire

What do you believe to be the biggest environmental threat to The Pescadero Marsh? Select valueAnoxic WaterInoperable Tidal gatesLow LeveesState Parks mismanagement