sonoma Baylands , Conveyed To refuge november 2014 MARKETPLACEcontrac osta .com 41 Brubaker is excited about the refuge’s recent acquisition of Skaggs Island and Haire Ranch, (which comprises more than 4,300 acres) and is working in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service to restore the island. The San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge is among 561 national wildlife refuges within the U.S. It currently consists of 13,190 acres of open water, salt marsh, upland habitat, and agricultural lands and spans nearly 20,000 acres—restoring and preserving wetlands critical to wildlife and the ecosystem. It provides a habitat for two endangered species, the Salt marsh harvest mouse and the California Clapper Rail. Both species rely on the salt-water habitat to survive. “The refuge is here to protect. Whenever we can we try to restore land to provide the habitat (incomplete sentence),” said Brubaker. “We want to turn the clock back and create that estuarian environment needed to get more migratory water fowl. We want to provide that nursery habitat for a lot of fish and crustaceans that people eat.” A great deal of support and advocacy for the these noted projects is facilitated by the Friends of the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge, a 501c (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving the refuge’s natural resources, promoting an appreciation for the refuge and supporting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service meet its mandates. Friends of the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge are partners of the refuge and volunteer as advocates and create fundraisers. Participants conduct a number of activities to raise awareness about the refuge and its environmental education programs. The San Pablo Bay Wildlife Refuge is always seeking volunteers to assist with project –based site clean-up and monitoring activities to identify water birds and endangered species. To learn more about volunteer opportunities contact Don Brubaker at 707-769-4200 or don_brubaker@fws.gov. In celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act, the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge in partnership with the National Park Service and United States Forest Services participated in the “Visions of the Wild: A Festival Connecting Nature, Culture and Community in Downtown Vallejo,a couple of months ago. The event included art shows, speakers, films, music and field trips in an effort to connect diverse urban communities to the wildness of nature around them. The Comprehensive Conservation Plan for the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge as well as information about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities is available online at www.fws.gov/cno.
Contra Costa Marketplace - Nov 2014
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