Sunday, August 5, 2007: 8:15 AM-2:00 PM
Lower Level Lobby, San Jose McEnery Convention Center
FT 9 - South San Francisco Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project
This trip will provide an in-the-field opportunity to discuss and explore the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project of San Francisco Bay, the largest wetland restoration project on the west coast of the United States. At over 15,000 acres, with active restoration expecting to span 30-50 years, this project must deal with many significant uncertainties as it moves forward with restoration. We will go to two locations in the South Bay that afford a wonderful chance to experience parts of the project area and to discuss how the project will manage ecosystem restoration in this urban setting. Learn about the project’s importance to San Francisco Bay ecology and endangered species, as well as project actions and research underway. Lynne Trulio, Lead Scientist for the project during the planning phase, will guide this trip. In addition, we will hear from five of Dr. Trulio’s masters students at San Jose State University who are conducting multifaceted research designed to assist the restoration project managers. We will stop at Bayside Park in Menlo Park, where Dr. Trulio will provide an overview of the project and introduce two student speakers who will give a short overview of their research. Participants will hear about exciting research focusing on the western snowy plover’s use of salt ponds and on native oyster recruitment in San Francisco Bay. Then we will go for a short walk to an overlook that provides a commanding view of the Ravenswood part of the project area and the overall South Bay landscape. Next we will stop at Alviso Marina to view another important part of the project area and discuss the balance between endangered species of the tidal marsh and migratory species which depend on ponded habitats. Participants will hear from three student speakers conducting research on waterfowl response to trail-based recreation, harbor seal response to kayaking, and on the level of public involvement in the project. We will then take short walks along pond edges and explore the Alviso area of the project, followed by lunch and time for reflection, comments or questions related to the project or anything discussed during the day. Wear sturdy shoes for walking short distances on flat but uneven ground. Wear layers, bring sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. Children are allowed on this trip. South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project www.southbayrestoration.org
Organizer:	Lynne Trulio, San Jose State University

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