Close to Home presents a talk and slide show...

Bay Restoration Success Stories with Marilyn Latta

Monday, June 8, 2009      7:30 P.M.

Montclair Presbyterian Church in Oakland

In 1965, access to the waters of the San Francisco Bay was limited to about 4 miles in separate little sections - around a bay that has a 400 mile coastline. Almost 90% of the wetlands on the bay's edge had been filled or diked. Concerned citizens and nonprofits began to turn back the tide of development in the early 1970's. There are now over 240 miles of public access. Marilyn Latta will update us on exciting new wetlands projects on the east bay shoreline, and what species are benefiting from them. Regional planning groups are enhancing connections between multiple habitats to help multiple species - from plants on the bay floor to aquatic fish to birds and mammals.

In her slide presentation, she’ll also cover progress in converting the salt ponds back into habitat for snowy plovers and avocets. Oysters and eelgrass are two native species that are considered "ecosystem engineers" and their structure provides underwater habitat in the Bay that creates important feeding areas for Dungeness crabs and many species of birds, including diving ducks, pelicans and oystercatchers. 

Marilyn Latta is a marine biologist and environmental planner who spent eight years directing the community-based restoration program at Save The Bay. She now works for the State Coastal Conservancy managing the San Francisco Bay Subtidal Habitat Goals Project. She has also been a key partner in native oyster projects at the Berkeley Marina and other sites.

Hosted by: Close to Home: Exploring Nature in the East Bay            

Co-sponsors:               

• Ecostewards of Montclair Presbyterian Church
• Oakland Museum of  CA   /   Bay Nature magazine
• Lindsay Wildlife Museum  /   EarthLight community

Donation: $5  (K-12 Free)

Montclair Presbyterian Church is located at 5701Thornhill Rd. in the Montclair area of Oakland. Take the Thornhill exit on Highway 13 and go east ½ mile. Parking available in lot ½ block west and on street. For more information: Cindy Spring (510) 655-6658  www.close-to-home.org

On July 6 Sharol Nelson-Embry(EBRPD) will give a presentation on Who Lives in the Bay?