Ecological Restoration

Sea level rise mitigation along California’s coast is mandatory to protect coastal communities and ecosystems. The ecosystem services of salt marshes are a critical component of coastal resiliency efforts. Yet, we have lost an estimated 85% of the historic wetlands in the San Francisco Bay region due to urban development, habitat fragmentation, and salt mining. In my work with the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory and the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, I helped design, implement, and analyze results of a monitoring plan to assess the vegetation response to newly restored salt marsh habitat. Projects included Inner Bair Island Phases I, II, and III in Redwood City and Pond A17 in Alviso (San José). I also assisted with the Habitat Evolution Mapping Project (HEMP), collaborating with the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project.