Helene Senhaux

Wildlife in Marin and opportunities for increasing habitats

Marin County preservation of habitats began many years ago with the advent of National Audubon Society that saved the national seashore including Bolinas Lagoon and

Tomales Bay from the proposed cross-county and coastal freeways in the early 60s.

Such success could not have been reached without the participation and firm beliefs of the Marin County residents that county or local representatives need to be dedicated to preserve the natural habitats of the wildlife. The mission of the Audubon Society is to save wild places of Marin County through acquisition, conservation, education and restoration. In addition, other agencies such as the Marin Coalition for California Wildlife convinced the Marin County Board of Supervisors to allocate funds to a progressive program that provides county ranchers with financial support for non-lethal predator management methods. In addition, the Animal Protection Institute has published a brochure on humane ways to live with wildlife. These agencies amongst others have the firm commitment to preserve Marin habitat through education and residents involvement.

Public acquisition of lands and their re-design benefit not only wildlife but human needs as well. For example, Bolinas Lagoon and Tomales Bay are both models showing such harmony. Specifically, Bolinas Lagoon town sewage system is a circular reserve rather than a potential more destructive elongated reserve which if damaged destroys more area. The town sewage is lifted by pump and aerated in a succession of ponds where the sewage nutrients are consumed by algae called spirulina. The top layer of the ponds are used for animal feed and food supplements for humans. The water below is naturally filtered enough for irrigation. This very successful method has increased birds and wildlife in the Lagoon. Another project that turned out to be very successful was the Tomales Bay refuge. The refuge provides water for ten out of eleven Marin cities and also benefit the wildlife diversity such as ducks, geese, seals, sting ray, Steelhead, Coho Salmon, Benthos, Black Brant

Preservation of habitats allows humans to discover how nature works. Wild plants and animals are important for biological evolution because they show us if our preservation methods work. For example, the Rush Creek/Cemetery Marsh tide gate was replaced by a slide-flap gate that allows more tidal water to enter the Rush Creek and the marsh. The additional water has clean the channels and improved the quality of life for the habitats of the marsh. Specifically, it has created a home for the California Clapper Rail, Black Rail, Salt Marsh, Yellowthroat and San Pablo Song Sparrow which have shown an increase in numbers.

Presently the Audubon Society is working on other areas in Marin County :

Simmons Slought Properties

1. Purchase of 19 acres wetland at the intersection of Olive and Atherton Avenue.

2. Protection of wildlife corridor along Simmons Slought as it meanders four miles to Novato Creek.

3. Habitats: riparian native oak-bay dominated woodlands, alluvial fan, seeps, grasslands and diked seasonal wetlands.

St Vincent-Silveira

The Marin Conservation League, Environmental Forum of Marin, Sierra Club Marin Group and Marin Audubon Society all agreed that the best use for the sites is to be permanently protected. Their position states “These lands should be acquired by resource conservation, wildlife habitat and agricultural preservation and protection of public heatlth and safety rather than being designated for development” (Marin Audubon Society).

Bahia

This area is alleged to be the only place left in California where a blue oak forest and a sal marsh exist as one intact ecosystem. The area includes 70 acres of Blue Oak forest including 18.4 acres of wetlands and critical wildlife habitats that are home to endangered species such as California Clapper Rail. Presently negotiations continue with the property owner over the purchase agreement.

Education has an important role to the success of Marin County preserving habitats.. The purpose of some environmental agencies is to inform, develop and implement programs for the residents. The Marin coalition wildlife is on a process to create a foundation for the non-lethal predator management program. In addition, as an incentive a green marketing cooperative sells “predator friendly” products and encourages sheep ranchers to use non lethal-predator management methods exclusively in exchange for a premium price for their wool.

The brochure published by the Animal Protection Institute suggests diverse ways to interact safely and humanly with the wildlife co-habitants.

Marin County is an excellent model for other parts of the country to improve their environment. Marin County residents and their agencies forward thinking has cemented the preservation of their wildlife habitat, thereby letting future generations enjoy the natural beauty of Marin County.