The proposed SAN francisco BAY coastal wetlands revegetation project phase III will continue the work of previous phases to enhance the biodiversity and climate resilience of degraded tidal marshes in…

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Region 8, awarded $1.452 million to the State Coastal Conservancy under the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration program (CFDA 15.614) on January 1, 2026, for Phase III of the San Francisco Bay Coastal Wetlands Revegetation Project. The project delivers invasive species removal and native habitat restoration services across the San Francisco Estuary through December 31, 2027. Specifically, the award funds continued removal of invasive Spartina (cord grass) and revegetation of degraded tidal marshes and mudflats with native tidal marsh and upland transition zone plants. This effort directly supports recovery of federally protected species, including the endangered California Ridgway's Rail and salt marsh harvest mouse, while enhancing climate resilience and shoreline protection against sea level rise and increased storm events.

Building on successful Phase I and Phase II efforts that reduced invasive Spartina infestation by 97 percent (from 805 net acres in 2005 to under 23 net acres in 2023) and revegetated over 40 sites with approximately 620,000 native plants, Phase III addresses the largest remaining infestations enabled by a new 10-year biological opinion from USFWS. The upcoming three-year phase represents a critical continuation of the regional tidal wetland habitat enhancement program and will complete additional high tide refuge islands and native vegetation establishment across the estuary.

The proposed SAN francisco BAY coastal wetlands revegetation project phase III will continue the work of previous phases to enhance the biodiversity and climate resilience of degraded tidal marshes in the SAN francisco estuary by removing invasive spartina (invasive cord grass) and restoring native tidal marsh and mudflat habitats in the SAN francisco BAY area. This effort is prioritized by state and federal environmental agencies due to severe impacts that invasive spartina has on wildlife and public health. Invasive spartina can grow both higher in elevation and lower on the tidal elevational gradient than the native. IT degrades foraging habitat and clogs flood control channels which creates standing water for mosquitos to breed. The infestation impedes restored marshes from developing native vegetation that provides long term habitat for sensitive tidal marsh species (e.g. endangered california ridgways rail and salt marsh harvest mouse). Native tidal wetlands are needed to provide valuable nature based shoreline protection in the face of sea level rise and a predicted increase in storms and flooding. Increasing native tidal wetlands will enhance climate adaptation in the estuary and continue the successful efforts of a major tidal wetland habitat enhancement program which the phase i and phase II ncwc grants helped to support. The invasive spartina project overall has successfully reduced the amount of invasive spartina in the estuary by 97 percent (from a peak of 805 net acres in 2005 to under 23 net acres in 2023). The project has also revegetated over 40 sites around the BAY with approximately 620000 native tidal marsh and upland transition zone plants and completed 82 high tide refuge islands. The upcoming three seasons are a critical phase in the effort because a new 10 year biological opinion from the US fish and wildlife service now allows the project team to work in the sites with the largest remaining infestations in the region. Addressing these sites will greatly reduce the amount of hybrid pollen and rhizomes that can RE infest previously treated areas or new restoration sites. The project will also plant native spartina (native pacific cordgrass) and upland ecotone transition zone species. The goal of the project is to reverse estuarine wetland habitat degradation and enhance substantial native tidal marsh. Objectives that will be achieved to accomplish the project goal include the following 1. Protect and enhance 3079 acres of native tidal marsh and mudflat habitats by monitoring and removing invasive spartina at four marsh complexes. 2. Directly enhance 1806 acres (of the 3079 acres) of tidal marsh and upland ecotone habitat by propagating and planting 32000 native seedlings at marshes in the east and south BAY. 3. Coordinate and share information on the invasive spartina project with over 200 landowners and land managers as well as regulatory staff and entities engaged in sea level rise adaptation planning.