Strip Marsh East: Restoring a Vital Bay Area Wetland
Nestled within the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Strip Marsh East is a critical wetland facing habitat loss due to changing hydrology. Audubon California, in partnership with the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Sonoma Land Trust, Solano Land Trust, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), Caltrans, as well as other agencies and restoration experts, is working to restore this vital ecosystem—enhancing habitat for wetland-dependent birds and other wildlife while ensuring long-term resilience alongside expanding development.
This project aims to demonstrate how conservation and infrastructure can work hand-in-hand, creating opportunities to restore sensitive habitats while supporting wildlife and ensuring long-term coexistence.
Why This Project Matters
California has lost nearly 90% of its wetlands, and the remaining marshes are more important than ever. Strip Marsh East alone has seen a 600-acre loss of emergent marsh since 2000, reducing habitat for species like:
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Ridgway’s Rail – a state and federally endangered bird that depends on healthy salt marshes.
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Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse – an endangered species found only in the Bay Area’s tidal marshes.
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Other wetland-dependent birds, fish, and invertebrates such as longfin smelt and juvenile salmon that rely on this ecosystem.
By restoring tidal exchange and supporting marsh restoration, this project will create a healthier, more resilient habitat for wildlife and communities alike.
Audubon California is leading efforts to ensure Strip Marsh East thrives for years to come by:
- Project management & expert support – Overseeing restoration efforts and working with wetland specialists to apply best practices.
- Forging unique partnerships – Bringing together conservation groups, transportation agencies, and land managers to align habitat restoration with highway infrastructure improvements.
- On-the-ground data collection – Our biologists collect field data through surveys, hydrology monitoring, and site assessments, while our partner collaborators process and analyze the data to guide restoration efforts.
- Investing in future conservation leaders – Connecting early-career professionals with hands-on fieldwork experience, helping them develop key survey skills and build collaborative partnerships.
By combining science, collaboration, and community engagement, Audubon California is ensuring this restoration effort benefits both wildlife and the broader Bay Area ecosystem.
Guided by lessons from successful projects like Sonoma Baylands, Sonoma Creek West, and Lower Tubbs Island, this effort focuses on:
- Restoring natural water flow by removing barriers and improving tidal exchange.
- Excavating tidal channels to prevent stagnant water and enhance marsh function.
- Reestablishing emergent marsh and tidal flats over the next 5–10 years.
Restoring wetlands in the Bay Area requires collaborating across sectors to ensure long-term success. Key challenges and opportunities include:
- Aligning with State Route 37 improvements, demonstrating how restoration can complement infrastructure upgrades in the future.
- Navigating complex permitting processes while balancing environmental goals and infrastructure goals.
- Fostering strong partnerships to sustain habitat health for years to come.
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