Marine Ecosystems in San Mateo County

Because San Mateo County is surrounded by water on both sides (San Francisco Bay and Pacific Ocean), it is critical that marine-based ecosystems are addressed in schools. This unique geography makes San Mateo County the most vulnerable to sea-level rise in California; therefore shoreline communities and their schools need to plan for mitigating flooding, infrastructure damage, and erosion. According to the 2016 San Mateo County Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Study (3B.2.3.6.2 Schools - Page 87), 45% of all schools in San Mateo County are vulnerable to increased flooding in the long-term due to sea level rise. 

San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC): BCDC's mission is to protect and conserve the San Francisco Bay waters. This commission was originally established to oversee any filling of the Bay, and it has since grown to include wetland management and adaptation planning for climate change. 

OneShoreline: Formed in 2020, OneShoreline is a joint authorities district formed to "address flooding, sea level rise, and coastal erosion in San Mateo County that are already underway". OneShoreline builds upon legislation and ongoing efforts from many agencies in San Mateo County to plan for sea level rise and its impacts.