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| San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
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  San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Location | Napa County,Solano County,Sonoma County,California, United States |
| Nearest city | Vallejo, California |
| Coordinates | 38°08′30″N122°24′04″W / 38.1415854°N 122.4010866°W /38.1415854; -122.4010866[1] |
| Area | 13,190 acres (53.4 km2) |
| Established | 1970 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge |
San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a 13,190-acre (53.4 km2)National Wildlife Refuge inCalifornia established in 1970. It extends along the northern shore ofSan Pablo Bay, from the mouth of thePetaluma River, toTolay Creek,Sonoma Creek, and ending atMare Island.
The refuge encompasses the largest remaining continuous patch ofpickleweed-dominatedtidal marsh in the northernSan Francisco Bay.
Historically, the wetlands surrounding San Pablo Bay were one of the largest tidal marsh complexes on thePacific Coast of North America. However, the area has been significantly impacted by human activities such ashydraulic mining, salt production, diking, draining, filling, agriculture, and development.[2] All told, about 85% of San Pablo Bay's tidal marshes have been altered. In fact, damaged portions these marsh areas and along the Petaluma River were considered as sites for artificial marsh creation using dredged materials. This effort was part of a US Army Corps of Engineers, Waterways Experiment Station study conducted by a Consultant from CZRC, Wilmington, NC, Dr. John C. Nemeth in the mid-1970s.
The Refuge includes a variety of habitats including open water,mud flat, tidal marsh,estuary, and seasonal and managedwetlands.
The refuge hosts millions ofmigratory shorebirds and waterfowl, including the largest wintering population ofCanvasbacks on the west coast. The Refuge also provides year-round habitat for sensitive species including theendangeredRidgway's Rail andsalt marsh harvest mouse. Public access to the refuge is provided by theTolay Creek Tubbs Island Trail[dead link].
This article incorporatespublic domain material from websites or documents of theUnited States Fish and Wildlife Service.
