San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory

The Habitats Program is a science-based restoration program focused on sustainable restoration of tidal marsh-upland transition zone habitats. In 2024, we added another 5 acres of restoration work at Eden Landing Ecological Reserve and Alviso Marina County Park while managing 27 acres of restored habitat around the Bay. We also secured funding to restore an additional 4 acres of habitat at Eden Landing this coming year. We wrapped up renovating a native plant nursery at Don Edwards NWR in Fremont which will greatly expand our plant producing capacity, allowing for us to take on bigger projects in the future. Restoring tidal marsh-upland transition zones provides critical high tide refugia for tidal marsh fauna, including the federally endangered Ridgways rail and salt marsh harvest mouse. Healthy marsh vegetation also protects bayside communities from flooding by absorbing energy from incoming storm surges and accelerating sediment accumulation. Ecologists use applied research to find innovative methods for restoration, and work with land managers to integrate transition zone habitat into larger restoration projects. We continued our successful partnership with Santa Clara County Parks and educational nonprofit Marshmallow Mind to teach 5th and 6th graders from Title I schools about San Francisco Bay ecology and host them for restoration work and a short hike at Alviso Marina County Park.

Our Education-Outreach Program connects people with our mission to promote sustainability in the Bay Area and beyond by engaging communities in avian science, habitat restoration, and education. We offer youth and adults activities virtually and in the field to teach them about birds, conservation, and science. We also participate in region-wide efforts to compile long term datasets to guide restoration and conservation planning efforts, and offer opportunities for the general public to be involved in scientific research by participating as volunteer community scientists in our scientific and habitat programs.