FT 1: Restoring Southern California's Largest Marine Estuary, the Sites, the Sounds, and Research of the Upper Newport Bay

Monday, August 2, 2021

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Pacific

Session Organizer(s)

David Banuelas

EEB, UC Irvine
Irvine, CA, USA

Volunteer(s)

Adounke Mahugnon Gilles Renaud

wildlife Ecology, Laboratory of Applied Ecology
Abomey Calavi, Benin

Trip Itinerary: Back Bay Science Center – Our journey will start at the Back Bay Science Center (BBSC) with a land acknowledgement recognizing the Kizh and Acjachemen tribes. Following introductions, we will visit the Osprey webcam, which monitors nesting activity 24 hours per day. At BBSC, we will launch into water on kayaks.
Upper Newport Bay – As we paddle onto the open water, we will discuss the land history of UNB. Specific landmarks will be highlighted including development and habitat features. Additionally, birds and fish species will be identified and displayed with images or video.
Big Canyon Nature Park – From the water will arrive at the Big Canyon Nature Park, owned by the City of Newport Beach. In 2020, the Park was the site of a major restoration project to remove invasive woodland and restore hydrological function.
Salt Dike – Back on the water we will arrive on an isolated island that has been the site of volunteer restoration since 2017. Due to the sensitivity of the habitat, tarping with plastic has been successful in managing invasive plant species on site.
Bay View Park – On the west side of UNB, Bay View Park has been managed by volunteers and NBC staff since 2018. Numerous native species have been reintroduced to the area and have been successful in establishing a riparian corridor to collect runoff from neighboring development.
Muth Interpretive Center – Located near UNB, the Muth Interpretive Center is hub for community outreach and advocacy. Prior to the pandemic, the Center hosted nature classes, walks, and social events. We will conclude the tour here while overlooking the sunset on UNB.

Established in 1975 by a grassroots effort, the Upper Newport Bay (UNB) is Southern California's largest marine estuary. Just 20 miles south of Long Beach, CA, UNB protects several state and federally endangered species. The 1,000-acre property is a refuge for plants and wildlife imperiled by coastal development. On our tour of UNB, we will start at the Back Bay Science Center (BBSC) to watch the live stream of our resident Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) nest. By kayak, we will visit several restoration projects led by the Newport Bay Conservancy (NBC). Despite being fully protected from future development, UNB is threated by future sea level rise and other disturbances. Without active management and planning, much of the salt marsh could be inundated by the next century. Fortunately, UNB is owned and managed by California Department of Fish Wildlife (CDFW). Successful management relies on coordination with NBC, Orange County Parks, and the City of Newport Beach. On our tour we will discuss how government agencies and landowners collaborate to solve environmental issues related to invasive species, altered hydrology, and sea level rise. We will conclude our tour with tips for kayaking and volunteering in the UNB. Join us on this adventure into Southern California’s largest marine estuary!