News Release

An Ecological Success Story: Celebrating the Giacomini Wetlands Restoration 10 Years Later

News Release Date: October 10, 2018

Contact: John A. Dell'Osso, 415-464-5135

Point Reyes Station, CA – The public is invited to join the National Park Service, the Point Reyes National Seashore Association (PRNSA), and a cadre of naturalists, scientists, and educators to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Giacomini Wetlands Restoration Project and learn about an extraordinary ecological success story on Saturday, October 27, 2018.

Ten years ago on October 27, 2008, the levees keeping tidewaters out of the former Waldo Giacomini Ranch were breached, culminating a restoration effort that reclaimed more than 500 acres of historic wetlands at the foot of Tomales Bay. The transformation has been remarkable. The wetlands now support a wide variety of wildlife and native salt marsh vegetation, including increases in California black rails, waterbirds, and shorebirds and some of the riparian associates such as saltmarsh common yellowthroat. Restoration success is measured in how the native plants and wildlife respond, and an ambitious monitoring program was launched even prior to restoration. Scientists have tracked changes in hydrology, vegetation, fish, frogs, birds and invertebrates. Scientists and educators will present the results of a decade of study at the Point Reyes National Seashore Red Barn Classroom on October 27, from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

Morning walking and kayaking tours of the restored wetlands are at capacity. However, those interested in hearing more about the restoration story are invited to the afternoon symposium featuring scientists and educators discussing changes in the wetland landscape and surrounding watershed areas, and learning about how the newly restored wetlands now serve as an outdoor classroom for youth education.

The afternoon event kicks off at 1:30 pm at the Red Barn Classroom at the Seashore headquarters, followed by a reception.

Details for the day's events can be found at http://go.nps.gov/giacomini10.

Time	Topic	Presenter(s)
1:30–1:55 pm	Welcome
1:55–2:00 pm	Overview of Giacomini Long-Term Monitoring Program	Lorraine Parsons (NPS)
2:00–2:15 pm	From Pasture to Tidal Marsh: Vegetation Community Response to Restoration	Cody Ender (PRNSA)
2:30–2:45 pm	Changes in Tidal Marsh Fish Communities with Restoration	Michael Reichmuth (NPS Inventory & Monitoring Program)
2:45–3:00 pm	California Red-Legged Frogs: Build It, and They Will Come	Patrick Kleeman (USGS Western Ecological Research Center)
3:00–3:15 pm	BREAK
3:15–3:30 pm	Avian Responses to Restoration of Tidal Influence and Changing Land–Use Practices: 2008-2018	Jules Evens and Mary Anne Flett (Avocet Research Associates)
3:30–3:45 pm	Giacomini Restoration Stimulates Winter Shorebird Populations in Southern Tomales Bay	Scott Jennings (Audubon Canyon Ranch)
3:45–4:00 pm	Tracing Carbon through Tomales Bay: A Seagrass and Salt Marsh Story	Melissa Ward (University of California, Davis)
4:00–4:15 pm	Wetland Connections: Engaging Youth in Science to Inspire Future Stewards	Leslie Adler-Ivanbrook (PRNSA) and Ben Becker, (NPS)
4:15–5:30 pm	Closing remarks and Reception at Red Barn

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-NPS-