Bolinas Lagoon Restoration
Greater Farallones Association and our partner agencies, Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, Marin County Parks, and the National Park Service, in coordination with the Bolinas Lagoon Advisory Council, recognize that community support and involvement play a central role in the restoration of Bolinas Lagoon. In an effort to reinforce that community participation, we take part in public meetings and lectures to inform and educate the public about current restoration efforts and future project plans. Scroll down to read about past lectures and meetings.
For information on restoration efforts already underway, visit our Current Restoration Projects page. Visit our Bolinas Lagoon Bulletin page to sign up for the electronic bulletin and access past issues.
2019 State of the Lagoon Meeting
The fourth biannual State of the Lagoon meeting was held May 2, 2019, and highlighted several projects and initiatives in the Bolinas Lagoon and Stinson Beach areas. The meeting featured the introduction of two new efforts that utilize nature-based alternatives to coastal protection: 1) feasibility efforts for construction of vegetated sand dunes along the federal and county managed sections of Stinson Beach, and 2) shoreline enhancement and reconnection along Dipsea and Calle del Arroyo Roads through the South End project.
Other updates included information on a newly released Point Blue Conservation Science winter waterbird study, the latest progress on efforts to renovate the Bolinas Field Station on Wharf Road, and findings from a National Park Service facilities vulnerability assessment at Stinson Beach. See the meeting summary document to learn more about these topics and how to contact project managers for more information.
2017 State of the Lagoon Meeting
The third biannual State of Bolinas Lagoon meeting was held on March 30, 2017, and focused on the status and next steps of the North End Wetlands Enhancement and Sea Level Rise Adaptation Project. Situated at the lagoon’s north basin, the project aims to reconnect the lagoon with upland streams (Lewis and Wilkins creeks) surrounding the intersection of Highway 1, Olema-Bolinas Road and the shortcut “Y” road, as well as provide cost and human safety benefits. The meeting offered community members the opportunity to speak directly with project managers and county staff leading the restoration project. For more information on project goals and objectives, see the meeting presentation.
2015 State of the Lagoon Meeting
On January 22, 2015, the second biannual State of the Lagoon meeting brought agencies and communities together to revisit the history of Bolinas Lagoon and announce a major restoration project. Over 150 community members attended the event, hosted by Bolinas Lagoon Advisory Council, at the Stinson Beach Community Center. One of the evening’s highlights included a printed timeline stretching back to 1834 and depicting the natural and man-made events that have shaped Bolinas Lagoon. Beautiful historical photos, compliments of the Bolinas Museum, put the restoration effort into context and reminded us of the great progress we have made over the past few decades, in comparison to generations of degradation that came before us. See the timeline or visit the Bolinas Museum, Seadrift Homeowners Association office, Stinson Beach Historical Society, or Audubon Canyon Ranch for a printed copy.
The meeting also included discussion from Marin County staff about the next major restoration project for Bolinas Lagoon: restoration of the north basin near the shortcut road, or Bolinas “Y”. The County and its partners, including Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and Point Reyes National Seashore, seeks to restore the northern portion of the lagoon not only for the rehabilitation of wetland and riparian habitat, but to improve road safety in the area.
Community Lecture: Climate Change, What Does it Mean for Your Neighborhood?
On January 28th, 2014, president and CEO of Point Blue Conservation Science, Ellie Cohen, presented the latest science behind climate change, potential future changes for the San Francisco Bay Area, and probable local impacts for Bolinas Lagoon. After the presentation, discussion about local response to these changes gave community members a unique opportunity to gain expert advice and insight from one of the leaders in addressing climate change. Ellie, along with audience members, hydrologist Rachel Kamman, and physical scientist Peter Gleckler (a contributing author to the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report), discussed different types of nature-based actions. From large scale restoration projects to small changes you can make in your own backyard, Ellie, Rachel, and Peter empowered the community with case study examples that will help the area prepare and adjust to future changes.
2013 State of the Lagoon Meeting
The first ever State of the Lagoon meeting was held September 19, 2013, at the Stinson Beach Community Center and was a huge success. Over 140 community members turned out to peruse the community center, visit information booths, and talk directly to project managers about the restoration topics that interest them most. Booths were hosted by local organizations including Audubon Canyon Ranch, the Bolinas Museum, and the Bodega Marine Lab, as well as managing agencies Marin County Parks and Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. Topics at each booth included: 1) the Kent Island restoration project; 2) green crab removal at Seadrift; 3) management, maintenance, and response plans; 4) Bolinas Lagoon mapping; 5) coastal monitoring at Duxbury reef and surveys at Stinson Beach, and; 6) Bolinas Lagoon invasive spartina removal. The meeting was an opportunity for community members to mingle directly with the managers, planners, and people that work to restore and manage the beautiful natural resource of Bolinas Lagoon.
Bolinas Lagoon Restoration Project Design Review Group Meeting
Thanks to a San Francisco Bay Joint Venture opportunity, in July 2013, a group of expert scientists, community members, and managing partners met to discuss restoration projects from within the Locally Preferred Plan (LPP). At the meeting, discussion of climate change science shed light on the need and feasibility of LPP projects and identified new overriding scientific issues impacting lagoon ecosystem function, namely accelerated sea level rise and sediment management. Although still the guiding document for restoration planning, inclusion of these new scientific issues influences LPP project designs and priorities. For more information about the July, 2013 meeting read the one-page executive summary and draft white paper describing these new scientific issues and detailing the design review group’s conceptual and project priority recommendations.
2012 Community Lecture: Invasive Spartina at Bolinas Lagoon
On May 16th, 2012, Katy Zaremba and Drew Kerr from the SF Estuary Invasive Spartina Project presented to the community about the history and presence of invasive Spartina, commonly known as cordgrass, at Bolinas Lagoon. In coordination with the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and Bolinas Lagoon Advisory Council agency partners, the presentation educated the community about how non-native invasive vegetation can alter the physical and biological features of our coastal resources and, particularly for Bolinas Lagoon, pose significant threats to habitat and species. The lecture informed the public on efforts to protect the lagoon from invasive vegetation, and taught the community how they can be on the lookout for potential plant invaders in their own backyard.
To read about the history and presence of Spartina at Bolinas Lagoon see Katy’s presentation. For more information about the San Francisco Estuary Invasive Spartina Project sites and Spartina removal methods see Drew’s presentation.
2011 Town Hall Meeting
On May 10, 2011, representatives from Marin County Open Space District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Caltrans, and Bodega Marine Laboratory, presented to the community on the status and future of restoration projects for Bolinas Lagoon. See the meeting’s presentation for updates on the Caltrans roadwork on Highway 1, invasive species removal projects, and oil spill response planning.
2009 Town Hall Meeting
Greater Farallones Association and Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, in partnership with Marin County Open Space District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Caltrans, held a public meeting on July 30, 2009. Information was presented about current and future planned projects associated with Bolinas Lagoon Ecosystem Restoration. Details surrounding project prioritization, processes, and timelines were discussed. A panel of agency representatives was also on hand to answer questions from the audience.