The Pescadero Marsh >>
Help Pescadero Marsh!
Help Pescadero Marsh!
The Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve is the largest coastal watershed between the Golden Gate and San Lorenzo River, 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.
* For more detailed information, see our proposed mitigation measures.
