San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids

Quick facts for kids San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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Location	San Diego County, California, United States
Nearest city	San Diego, California
Governing body	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Website	San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge

The San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a special place for nature located right in the city of San Diego, California. It's part of a bigger group of protected areas called the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex. This refuge was officially opened in June 1999 to help protect important wildlife.

What is the San Diego Bay Refuge?

This refuge is a protected area that helps keep animals and plants safe. It covers about 316 acres (1.28 square kilometers) of land. This land includes areas called salt marshes and coastal uplands. A salt marsh is a type of wetland that is often flooded by ocean tides. Uplands are higher areas of land.

The refuge is surrounded by city buildings and homes. Even though it's in a busy area, it's super important for wildlife. This is because over 90 percent of the natural wetlands in San Diego Bay have been changed. Many have been filled in, drained, or blocked off.

Why is This Refuge So Important?

The San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge acts like a natural home for many creatures. It helps protect the remaining wetlands, which are like nurseries for fish and birds. These areas are vital for the survival of many species.

Amazing Animals and Plants

One part of the refuge is called Sweetwater Marsh. This area is a home for many different animals and plants. It's especially important for species that are in danger of disappearing forever.

Protecting Endangered Species

Sweetwater Marsh provides a safe place for four types of animals that are either endangered or threatened species. This means their populations are very low and they need special protection. One example is the light-footed rail, a type of bird.

Unique Plants of the Refuge

The refuge is also home to a very special plant called yerba reuma. This plant is part of the heath family. What makes it unique is that the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge is the only place in the entire United States where yerba reuma grows naturally in the wild.

A Bird Watcher's Paradise

If you love birds, this refuge is an amazing place to visit! More than 200 different kinds of birds have been seen here. Many birds stop at the refuge during their long migrations. Others live here all year round.

Preserving the Bay's Future

A large part of the San Diego Bay's natural areas have been lost over time. This includes underwater lands, muddy areas that show at low tide (called intertidal mudflats), and salt marshes.

The South Bay unit of the refuge is working hard to protect and bring back these important habitats. This includes the mudflats and areas with eelgrass. Eelgrass is a type of plant that grows underwater and provides food and shelter for many sea creatures.

By protecting these areas, the refuge helps make sure that thousands of migrating and local shorebirds and waterfowl will have a safe place to live and thrive for many years to come. The total area planned for the refuge is about 3,940 acres (15.9 square kilometers).