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Welcome to the Restoration Web Page for the Giacomini Wetland Restoration Project.
Thanks to the more than 200 people who showed up on Sunday, October 25, 2009, to help us celebrate the first anniversary of the Giacomini Wetlands project and to learn about the amazing transformations that have occurred in just one year!
A kayaking tour explores the wetland habitat along Lagunitas Creek.
- More than 27 kayaks floated Lagunitas Creek on Sunday morning to learn first-hand about the amazing hydrologic changes in Giacomini Wetlands, Lagunitas Creek, and southern Tomales Bay from the project’s hydrologists, Rachel and Greg Kamman of Kamman Hydrology & Engineering.
Hikers head out the Tomales Bay Trail to see a panoramic view of the Giacomini Wetlands.
- More than 85 hikers showed up at the newly repaired Tomales Bay Trail just north of the Giacomini Wetlands to gain a larger perspective on the restored wetlands and its link to the fragile, yet incredibly ecologically valuable Tomales Bay. Hikers not only enjoyed some of the most beautiful scenery in the park, but learned first-hand about the ecological changes that have transpired since the levees were breached a year ago. In addition, they were treated to views of basking turtles, white pelicans, and even the kayakers who showed up at the outlet of the new Tomasini Slough.
Project Manager Lorraine Parsons giving a PowerPoint presentation on Changes in Water Quality.
- More than 125 people attended the Red Barn event in the afternoon to hear brief updates on the project from Project Manager Lorraine Parsons and changes in hydrology and evolution of the wetlands and changes in fish use and bird and other animal use from Lorraine Parsons, Park hydrologist Brannon Ketcham, and local avian expert, John Kelly of Audubon Canyon Ranch. In addition, Rachel Kamman of Kamman Hydrology & Engineering discussed recent results from computer hydrologic monitoring on the potential effects of sea level rise on Tomales Bay. Look here in the future for links to postings to PDF versions of the presentations from the event, as well as the more than 15 posters that summarized the amazing changes in more detail.
Several people received awards for outstanding contributions to the project during the past year, including Rachel and Greg Kamman of Kamman Hydrology & Engineering, Jules Evens of Avocet Research Associates, Tony Williams of Winzler & Kelly Consulting Engineers, and Louis Jaffe of Point Reyes Station, all of these people donated a tremendous amount of their own time to the project during the past year, and we could not be documenting—or celebrating—the success of this project without their help.
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Photograph and information courtesy of Louis Jaffé, Point Reyes Station Pelicans, egrets, and otters forage together in the northern portion of the East Pasture near Point Reyes Station in August 2009.
- Couldn't make it to one of our fall events?
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- Come join us on Saturday, November 14, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for an opportunity to revegetate some of our weedy uplands with native wildrye grasses. Contact Sarah Minnick at 415-464-5226 or by email to RSVP for the event.
- Visit the How Can We Be a Part of the Restoration Process? page for more information on volunteer events this winter and the How Can We Learn About the Restoration? page for more information on future seminars in 2010.
- Also, check this web page again in the near future. Over the next month, we will be extensively updating this web site to summarize information presented at the anniversary event, as well as with other information, so that we can continue to share this very exciting transformation with you. This web site is intended to keep you up to date on the latest information on restoration status and progress, additional restoration and public access efforts in the future, and volunteer and educational opportunities.
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Volunteer Rick Johnson with two high school students listening to bird sounds in the Giacomini Wetlands.
- Kids in Wetlands: Summer usually is a time of fun and sun, but some kids enjoyed the fun in a slightly different way this summer. Two classes of Bay Area kids came out to the Seashore this summer to spend time in the Giacomini Wetlands and other Seashore lands learning about natural resources and their value to both humans and wildlife. Learn more about this exciting program from Jessica Luo, the Ocean Education Coordinator at the Seashore, or visit our Kids in Wetlands - Learning Through Experience page.
Not Just a Local Treasure Anymore
Giacomini Wetlands isn't just a local treasure anymore. A visiting reporter from the New York Times returned to Point Reyes Station to find the former Giacomini Ranch greatly changed. Follow this link to learn how flooding and ebbing of the tides gave him a new perspective on time and life.
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Great Tree Tenders crew removing Himalayan blackberry from Tomasini Creek.
Is Restoration Work Really Complete?
Most of the construction has been completed, but the Seashore and PRNSA intend to continue fundraising efforts to expand or continue active restoration efforts in the Giacomini Ranch and Olema Marsh. In addition, many areas subject to invasives removal in 2008 will require subsequent re-treatment in future years to ensure eradication, with active revegetation conducted when eradication is successful. Lastly, it is important not only to restore wetlands, but to document the success of restoration efforts in achieving project objectives. Through monitoring, the Seashore will follow evolution of the Giacomini Wetlands and determine how well they function relative to natural tidal marshes. Download the "What’s Next for the Giacomini Wetland Restoration Project?" poster (122 KB PDF) for a more detailed description of monitoring and potential future restoration actions.
What’s Happening with the Restoration?
Water, Water, and More Water
Ducks, Ducks, and More Ducks
Spring is in the Air
How Long Will It Take For the Tidal Wetlands To Develop?
What's the Long-Term Future of the Restored Wetlands?
How Can We Learn About the Restoration?
How Can We Be A Part of the Restoration Process?
Kids in Wetlands - Learning Through Experience
Where Can We View the Restored Wetlands?
-- Content for this page was composed by Lorraine Parsons, Project Manager, Giacomini Wetland Restoration Project, Point Reyes National Seashore
Adobe® Acrobat Reader® is needed to view PDF documents.
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