Accomplishments & Projects

Project Spotlight

Suisun Marsh Region

The Suisun Marsh Region, which encompasses more than 115,000 acres of wetland and upland habitats is of major importance to migrating and breeding waterfowl, shorebirds, and other waterbird species of the Pacific Flyway. The Marsh represents about 12% of all the remaining natural wetlands in California, yet water quality and species diversity have gradually declined in the past 25 years. These declines have occurred in the Marsh due to increases in water salinities as a result of freshwater diversion from the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, and the inability of property owners within the Marsh to receive and adequately distribute freshwater to promote suitable habitat for a variety of avian species. To improve brackish-water and freshwater exchange, and thus the Marsh's overall water quality and biodiversity, partners are altering the topography by deleveling fields and contouring pond bottoms, creating new circulation and drainage ditches, installing additional water-control structures, constructing islands, redirecting the flow of tidal and surface waters, and managing water levels.

Upon completion the Suisun Marsh Managed Wetlands Enhancement Project will enhance more than 24,000 acres of wetland and upland habitat. Habitat improvements will benefit numerous waterfowl, shorebird, and other waterbird species that use the area for migration and breeding including High Priority Species such as tule greater white-fronted geese, cackling Canada geese, northern pintail, greater scaup, as well as cinnamon teal, American avocet and black-bellied plover. This project also benefits various state and federally listed threatened and endangered species including the bald eagle, salt marsh harvest mouse and multiple fish and plant species.

The project has enjoyed the support and involvement of many partners including the Suisun Resource Conservation District, California Waterfowl Association, Ducks Unlimited, Central Valley Joint Venture, CA Department of Fish and Game, CA Coastal Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Board, Dean Witter Foundation, Harvey L. & Maud C. Sorenson Foundation, and 32 Suisun Marsh private landowners.

Grassland Ecological Area Enhancement

Thanks to NAWCA funding and support from many partners, the Grassland Ecological Area Enhancement and Restoration Project restored over 2,000 acres of seasonal and semi-permanent wetlands, 259 acres of associated uplands, and over 300 acres of riparian habitat, while enhancing 56,620 acres of existing wetlands, 1,527 acres of existing uplands, and 23 acres of existing riparian habitat. Restoration projects consisted of restoring natural functions to habitats that had been badly degraded or destroyed. Vegetation was restored on uplands and riparian areas by planting or seeding degraded habitats and ensuring that long-term management objectives would maintain these habitats.

As most of the wetlands in the Grasslands consist of managed wetlands, they require efficient water conveyance systems to properly flood and maintain wetland habitat. These wetlands consist of leveed impoundments that use water control structures to convey water. Enhancement projects consisted of replacing or installing concrete water control structures that allow wetland managers to maintain optimal water elevations for waterfowl use, and excavating wetland swales that optimize flooding efficiency while diversifying the habitat. These swales also provide the ability to drain wetlands in order to promote germination of annual plants desired by feeding waterfowl.

Key partners on this project included Ducks Unlimited, Central Valley Joint Venture, Grassland Water District, California Department of Fish and Game, California Wildlife Conservation Board, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and 54 private landowners.