San Joaquin Marsh

During a monthly bird census several years ago at the San Joaquin Marsh in Irvine, counters were elated to find a Yellow-Billed Cuckoo. Although a rarity in Southern California, the cuckoo counted itself in good company: More than 200 species of birds have been observed in the marsh, one of the most significant coastal freshwater marshes in Southern California. The marsh is, in fact, a major stopping point for a wide array of migratory birds. The fact that so many birds flock to this natural treasure is a testament to a decades-long commitment to restore and maintain the marsh, which also features more than 10 miles of easily accessible public trails.

The original effort to restore the marsh involved the Irvine Company, the Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD), the City of Irvine and numerous environmental groups and regulatory agencies, including the state Fish and Game Department, the Army Corps of Engineers and the federal Fish and Wildlife Service. Today, IRWD owns about 300 acres of the marsh, which is managed by the nonprofit San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. The Sea and Sage Chapter of the National Audubon Society conducts avian research projects and public educational programs. An adjacent 200 acres of the marsh, known as the San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh Reserve, are managed by the University of California Natural Reserve System.

“Only a few years ago, this remarkable wetland was written off as dead. Yet today, thanks to a truly collaborative effort… it is once again a vital habitat for fish and birds. These restoration activities are a wonderful example of how we really can reclaim California's natural heritage.” – - Mary Nichols, California’s former Secretary for Resources and current Chairman of the California Air Resources Board