The Loma Prietan
March/April 2002
Bay Area Earth Day Celebrates the Bay
by Jessica Nusbaum
"Protect Our Home" is the international theme of Earth Day 2002. But what makes our home here in the Bay Area unique? The Bay Area is defined by technology and entrepreneurship; by its pleasant climate and rich, diverse culture. And by its namesake: San Francisco Bay.
Celebrate the Bay
This April, Bay Area Earth Day will "Celebrate the Bay" at festivals from Gilroy to Golden Gate Park, from Santa Cruz to Sacramento, and from the South Bay to Berkeley. Volunteers will restore wetlands and riparian habitat, clean up creeks and beaches, and plant trees and native plants.
In keeping with the exceptional diversity of the Bay Area, over 40 organizations, including the Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club, will be organizing and participating in a wide variety of Earth Day events this spring, truly providing something for everyone. Activities include hands-on restoration projects, hikes and kayak outings, educational forums, and spiritual moments for reflection and connection to nature.
Why Protect the Bay?
The Bay may be the physically defining feature of our region, but its values often remain hidden. Bay Area Earth Day 2002 provides an opportunity to appreciate the value of the Bay-Delta estuary, and to articulate the current issues facing our Bay and our watershed.
Ecological value: San Francisco Bay is the largest and most ecologically important estuary on the U.S. Pacific Coast. Its unique ecosystem, created by the confluence of fresh and salt water in the Bay-Delta estuary, provides critical habitat for over 500 bird, fish and wildlife species. The wetland and riparian habitat of the Bay estuary supports 50% of threatened and endangered species in the Bay Area, and over 70% of commercial and recreational fish species. San Francisco Bay is also one of the most important stops along the Pacific Flyway for migratory waterfowl.
In addition to providing valuable wildlife habitat, wetlands and creeks also provide economic benefits, recreational opportunities and generally contribute to a higher quality of life for residents of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Economic value: Wetlands provide natural systems for flood control and water purification. Wetlands absorb floodwaters and help reduce erosion, saving millions of dollars in flood damages. Estuary creeks and wetlands also naturally cleanse toxic pollutants from runoff. In fact, wetlands purify water so well that they are often used for tertiary treatment by municipal sewage plants.
Recreational value: But for many residents, the Bay is most valuable for its contributions to their quality of life. Recreational fishermen, kayakers and canoeists, birdwatchers, nature photographers, hunters, windsurfers, environmental educators and their students, hikers, and sailors frequent San Francisco Bay and its wetlands and creeks.
Celebration, Exploration and Restoration
Whether we enjoy a view of the Bay out our window, or windsurf across the waves; whether we go for lunchtime walks along the Bay Trail, or kayak the inland rivers of the Delta, the Bay is part of each of our lives.
The San Francisco Bay Estuary contains 90% of the remaining coastal wetlands in California, and most of the state's potential sites for coastal wetland restoration. But those wetlands will not recover without our attention. It will take time and work to counteract the effects of development and urbanization. Our efforts will determine the health and the future of our Bay.
So join us in the celebration, exploration and appreciation of our Bay, and take part in its protection and restoration—this Earth Day, and in years to come.
Jessica Nusbaum is Coordinator of the regional Bay Area Earth Day Coalition. She can be reached at 650/962-9876 x302 or earthday@acterra.org.