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The Giacomini Wetlands Project involves the restoration of over 550 acres of land at the southern end of Tomales Bay that was reclaimed in the early 1940s for milk production. The project returned this area to its natural state—a wetlands comprising over 50% of the wetlands on Tomales Bay.
The project included the removal of levees, tidegates, culverts, agricultural infrastructure and invasive plants so that natural process and functions could once again take hold. The Park Service provided environmental monitoring during the project to ensure that impacts from heavy equipment to valuable natural resources such as wetlands, riparian habitat, and special status species were minimized. In addition habitat was created to enhance the prospects for threatened and endangered species that historically thrived in these wetlands.
In only the first year since the last levee was removed and tidal waters again flowed into the area, the proliferation of wildlife has surpassed even the most optimistic predictions.
PRNSA raised $6.2 million dollars for the restoration phase and collaborated with the Park Service on managing elements of the project. Funding to PRNSA for the restoration was provided by individual donations and major grants from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, California Coastal Conservancy, California State Water Resources Control Board, Wildlife Conservation Board, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
PRNSA and its partners receive a 2009 Partners in Conservation Award for their work on the Giacomini Restoration Project. Read more...
Giacomini Phase I (2007) Construction Components Completed
Giacomini Phase II (2008) Construction Components Completed
Giacomini Wetland Restoration Project: Restoration Summary
We are just embarking on a new year in the restoration cycle and are excited to see what changes Year Two has in store for us. Already, we are seeing increases in fall and winter shorebird and other waterbird numbers relative to Year One, the continued presence of the bald eagles and otters, and establishment by California red-legged frog, a federally threatened species, in one of our mitigation wetlands.
Explore the Wetlands on a Series of Free, Field Seminars
Come join us this year to learn how the wetland continues to evolve as it transforms back from pasture to marshland. We have developed a series of field discussions that will discuss the changes in hydrology, fish and bird use, and vegetation during the second year of the restoration process. All seminars start at 10 AM and meet at the corner of 4th and C streets.
- Saturday, April 17, 2010: This seminar will concide with the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day and National Park Week. Rachel Kamman, the project hydrologist, will discuss tidal influences and changes in the restoration area since the levees were breached. This event will be followed by a volunteer workday at 1 PM.
- Saturday, June 26th, 2010: Brannon Ketcham, Seashore Hydrologist, and Michael Reichmuth, Park Service Fisheries Biologist, will discuss how these changes in hydrology are affecting use of the newly restored Giacomini Wetlands by fish in "Changes in Fish Use in the Newly Restored Giacomini Wetlands."
- Saturday, August 28th, 2010: Lorraine Parsons, Seashore Vegetation/ Wetland Ecologist, and Amelia Ryan, Seashore Wetland Ecologist, will address how vegetation is responding to the changes in hydrology with breaching of the levees in "From Pasture to Marsh: The Rapidly Evolving Landscape of the Giacomini Wetlands."
- RESCHEDULED: Sunday, October 24th, 2010 (was originally scheduled for Saturday, October 23rd, 2010): Jules Evens, noted local wildlife biologist, will discuss changes in use by bird and other wildlife species in "Changing Wildlife Populations in the Newly Restored Giacomini Wetlands: Build It and They Will Come."
Download the Friends of Giacomini Wetland 2010 Events flyer (226 KB PDF).
Connect with the Wetlands Through Volunteer Workdays
Get involved with the restoration process through one of our volunteer workdays. This spring, you can come help
us remove invasive, non-native plants that either threaten the survival of plants that we planted during construction or the evolution of the former dairy ranch back to more natural conditions. This fall, we will have opportunities to actually put plants in the ground—rather than just take them out—in some of our upland areas.
Volunteer Workdays for 2010
April 17, 2010, 1:00 PM
May 15, 2010, 9:30 AM
CANCELLED - June 12, 2010, 9:30 AM
Meet at the corner of 4th and C streets in Point Reyes Station. Wear work clothes and bring food, water, boots, gloves, and sun protection.
Download the April 17 Field Seminar and Volunteer Work Day flyer (166 KB PDF). For additional information about the Giacomini seminars, volunteer workdays,or to schedule a group/school workday, contact Amelia Ryan at (415) 464.5227 or by email.
Look for more information this late summer or fall on a potential Year in Review Celebration...
- Endangered Species & Wildlife
Protection: including helping
the spotted owl fight for survival in
our forests, and helping Western snowy plovers recover on park beaches. Check it out!
- Habitat Restoration: including
returning Coho salmon runs to several
coastal streams. Check it out!
- Education and Stewardship
Initiatives: including the affordable PRNSA
School Programs and adult Field Seminars
to help the community learn about protecting
Point Reyes and the environment. (See School Program, Summer Camp and Field Seminar Tabs)
- Historic Preservation:
continuing the legacy that Native Americans,
European explorers, lighthouse keepers,
and dairy ranchers all left here. Check it out!
PRNSA’s goals
are to grow our membership base and community
support, to improve our education programs
so that we are creating future stewards
for Point Reyes and the planet, and to
provide staff and support for the wide
range of preservation projects needed
to preserve the wonder of Point Reyes.
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