Bel Marin Keys, Hamilton Wetland Restoration Project
Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Hamilton Native Plant Nursery. The nursery grows native plants for the wetlands restoration site, provides community outreach and education on ecological restoration practices, and aides in monitoring, mulching, removing invasive plant species, and collecting seeds and soil for use in the nursery.
As part of the field crew, I am usually involved in invasive species removal, seed collection, and other land management practices.
Read more about the wetlands restoration construction in the link above.
The Hamilton Wetland Restoration project began in fall 2019, with the goal of developing new tidal, seasonal, and transitional habitats and wetlands from the remains of the former Hamilton Army Airfield in Novato, California. The project with transform close to 750 acres of wetlands to make it more suitable for wildlife.
The project was also designed to create flood protection for the community of Bel Marin Keys by creating berms, placing dredge material to elevate subsided baylands, develop a bay ward levee breach, and support the flow of tidal waters to the site. Species of particular concern in the wetlands are the salt marsh harvest mouse, clapper rail, long-billed curlews, and marsh hawks. Volunteers like myself typically work out of the
Photo courtesy of naturepointeyes.com
EcoRing
EcoRing is a nonproft that promotes green travel in the North Bay. EcoRing partners with green certified businesses in the tourist industry and sponsors tours that feature low-carbon forms of transportation and utilize green-certified lodging and restaurants. EcoRing also work with businesses to improve their energy and water efficiency and recycling programs. EcoRing has several initiatives, which promote the construction of low-carbon travel infrastructure like rail lines, multi-use pathways and electric car charging stations.
The Project
I am conducting research for the Sonoma-Marin Adventure Trail, and proposed multi-use trail that would like Sausalito to Cazadero. The route is over 84 miles long, winding through oak woodland hills, farmlands, ancient forests, and redwoods, following the historic route of the North Pacific Coast Railroad, which carried tourists, lumber and agricultural products over this route more than 100 years ago.
The proposal involves connecting and extending trail segments through Sonoma and Marin County to create one cohesive trail. As a researcher for EcoRing, I work with the Sonoma and Marin County Recorder's Offices to find deeds for parcels of land that the Adventure Trail passes through. I search through deeds and parcel data, research planning and land use law, and create weekly reports about the status of the parcel data.