Hamilton/Bel Marin Keys Wetlands Restoration

SF Bay and Marin Wetlands have been designated under the international Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.  The designation was reported in the Marin Independent Journal and you can read the entire story here:

http://www.marinij.com/ci_22502765/san-francisco-bay-marin-wetlands-get-international-designation?IADID=Search-www.marinij.com-www.marinij.com

Just a follow up to the earlier announcement about the March 16^th 2013,  work party.   The event was a big success with a great turnout. 

If you are interested in coming out for another such event, give Nursery Manager Chrisina McWhorter a shout: 1plantminded1@gmail.com 415-382-0104

Novato Creek is one of three Bay Area creeks to receive $1.55 million in EPA funding to redesign channels to restore wetlands, improve water quality. For more information, click here.  

The Cleanup of the Hamilton Shoreline was a big success.  Thanks to all who came out to help!   On Saturday September 15th, The Conservancy, in partnership with Friends of Novato Creek, organized the cleanup, which was part of the greater statewide effort: http://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/ccd/ccd.html. 

Volunteers  were shuttled by van from a parking area near the new native plant nursery to the bay front levee.  There was also a cleanup at the adjoining Bel Marin Keys shoreline on Sunday the 16th.  The Hamilton shoreline probably had not been cleaned up since the military closed the Airfield, so there was plenty of trash to deal with.  

The crew managed to collect enough material to fill a 30-cubic yard disposal bin, not including several large bags of recyclables!   The most interesting bit of waste found was an old flat-bottom skiff, which was ingeniously used to transport other trash across the coastal salt marsh.  Unfortunatly the boat was not usable but since it is all aluminum, it too can be recycled.  For now it is being used as a planter for salt grass at the Nursery.  

Tow, tow, tow your boat….

  Photo credit: Eroca Lowe

This bin at Hamilton was completely filled

The BMK Crew

School children are getting press for their work planting trees at the Hamilton wetlands! The latest coverage from Estuary News profiles the hoe- and shovel-wielding exploits of 2nd and 4th graders from Novato’s Rancho Elementary School. Read more