Tidal Exchange NEWSLETTER OF THE ELKHORN SLOUGH FOUNDATION spring 2015
Partners in Conservation A principal reason people visit Elkhorn Slough is to A landmark event occurred 35 years ago when the enjoy the beauty and diversity of its natural surroundings. Wildlife Conservation Board (acting as acquisitions arm for As part of the Pacific Flyway, and a Globally Important the California Department of Fish and Wildlife) purchased Bird area, the slough attracts the old Elkhorn Dairy to establish birders from around the world. the newly designated Elkhorn Slough Thanks to the slough’s calm waters National Estuarine Research Reserve. and abundance of marine life, The National Estuarine Research kayakers return again and again to Reserve System (a network of 28 reserves paddle its seven-mile length. More protecting vital coastal and estuarine than 40,000 visitors wander the resources) is federally funded through Reserve’s peaceful trails down to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric the slough’s edge, shaded Administration (NOAA), with local by ancient oaks. or state agencies responsible for Yet this place wasn’t always a the management of each Reserve. Thirty-five years ago, the Elkhorn Slough Reserve gained haven for wildlife and recreation. At Elkhorn Slough, the California ground — literally — with the purchase of the Elkhorn Decades ago, the Reserve consisted Department of Fish and Wildlife Dairy, the property at the core of today’s Reserve. of derelict dairy buildings and manages the Reserve. In 1982, the abandoned pastures, with acres of wetlands diked and Reserve’s citizens advisory committee, working with the drained. Large areas of the slough’s uplands harbored worn- Reserve manager, formed the Elkhorn Slough Foundation out sandhill farms plagued with problems of erosion and (ESF) to develop research, education and volunteer programs runoff. It was a very different landscape, and it has taken on the new Reserve. many years and dedicated partners working together to As the Foundation worked toward these ambitious goals, conserve the Elkhorn Slough we know today. the community rallied to the call. Within a year, a group Continued on page 4