Nature Journal Endangered Tidal Marsh

For October, the North Coast Nature Journal Club will be visiting the critically endangered and often overlooked tidal marshes of the San Pablo Bay, enjoying the beauty and using our journaling as a tool for citizen science. Ninety five percent of this ecosystem has been lost in the Bay Area despite the fact that it provides critical ecological services that directly affect our standard of living and survival. We will learn about the ecological restoration project taking place at this particular site and hear from one of the biologists involved.

This critical marshland ecosystem contains a variety of unique and endangered species such as the salt marsh harvest mouse (can drink salt water) and the Ridgway’s Rail (listed as endangered since 1970) as well as a rare taste of expansive solitude in the middle of the San Francisco Bay Area. The place we will be visiting has historically provided one of the biggest overwintering sites for canvasback ducks and numerous other waterbirds should be arriving when we visit in the fall. We will focus on drawing and learning about tidal marshland plants and animals and practice landscapitos. How can we use our journals to capture the essence of the place and convey some of the fascinating ecological significance of this region?

We will begin the day early and watch as the low tide comes in and the composition of waterfowl changes in this awesome avian habitat.

Be prepared for sun and increasing wind as the day progresses, windbreakers, clips for your pages, and a hat that can handle wind are mandatory! Walking distances will be short on even paths that are mostly flat. Scooter accessible! If you want to get up close and personal with some of the marshland plants and invertebrates wear rain boots or go barefoot for the mud. Bring a folding stool if you like but there are also benches. Binoculars and scope would be very helpful. Bring a potluck item to share on the trail and utensils for yourself.

We will meet at 9 am at the Sear’s Point Trailhead parking lot. Look for people standing around with sketchbooks. This excursion starts and ends earlier than our usual meetup to take advantage of the tide. 9am-1pm, potluck lunch at 12:30.

$20 suggested donation. No one turned away for lack of funds.