The california department of fish and wildlife (cdfw) acquired the first parcels that would be designated as part of the grizzly island wildlife area complex (giwa) in the 1930 s and acquired the…

The california department of fish and wildlife (cdfw) acquired the first parcels that would be designated as part of the grizzly island wildlife area complex (giwa) in the 1930 s and acquired the first parcels that would be designated as part of the napa-sonoma marshes wildlife area complex (nsmwac) in the early 1980 s. Since that time, giwa has grown to over 18,000 acres including the crescent, crescent family, goodyear slough, grey goose, grizzly island, joice island, long point, west family, and montezuma slough management units. Also included within the complex is the hill slough wildlife area and peytonia slough ecological reserve. Diverse habitats can be found on these lands including tidal sloughs, remnant sloughs, shallow BAY, tidal mudflats, brackish and freshwater ponds as well as adjacent uplands. Nsmwac has grown to over 15,000 acres including the napa marsh units (13,000 acres) and the petaluma marsh units (3,500 acres). These lands span the counties of napa, sonoma, solano, and marin located in the northern SAN francisco BAY area. Diverse habitats can be found on these lands including tidal sloughs, former salt evaporative ponds, former salt crystallizer ponds, remnant sloughs, shallow BAY, tidal mudflats, low-middle-high upper salt marshes, brackish and freshwater ponds as well as adjacent uplands. With the acquisition of giwa, the cdfw and its partners have restored enhanced, developed and maintained wetland, brackish marsh and upland habitats for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, tule ELK and other wildlife species associated with those habitats. Also, with the acquisition of nsmwac, the cdfw and its partners (including california state lands commission, wildlife conservation board and the california coastal conservancy) have restored (or are in the process of restoring) tidal wetlands, seasonal wetlands and riparian habitat. The yolo bypass wildlife area (ybwa) is located in yolo county within the yolo bypass flood control project. The 3,551 area was originally purchased in 1991 and has expanded to its present size of 16,771 acres with additional acquisitions in 2001 and afterwards. These parcels were acquired for the state of california by the wildlife conservation board. These lands were assigned to the cdfw to restore, enhance, develop, and maintain wildlife habitats in a manner consistent with flood control requirements and operations. Since the original acquisitions, the wildlife area has increased public use activities such as hunting, wildlife viewing, and nature study. Through partnerships, the cdfw has restored, enhanced, developed, and maintained wetland, riparian, and upland habitats for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and other wildlife species associated with those habitats.