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San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids

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San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
San pablo bay national wildlife refuge 2.jpg
San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located in California
San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge
San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Location in California
San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located in the United States
San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge
San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
Location Napa County, Solano County, Sonoma County, California, United States
Nearest city Vallejo, California
Area 13,190 acres (53.4 km2)
Established 1970
Governing body U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Website San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge

San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a 13,190-acre (53.4 km2) National Wildlife Refuge in California established in 1970. It extends along the northern shore of San Pablo Bay, from the mouth of the Petaluma River, to Tolay Creek, Sonoma Creek, and ending at Mare Island.

Ecology

Wpdms usgs photo san francisco bay
San Pablo Bay, shown with San Francisco Bay

The refuge encompasses the largest remaining continuous patch of pickleweed-dominated tidal marsh in the northern San Francisco Bay.

Historically, the wetlands surrounding San Pablo Bay were one of the largest tidal marsh complexes on the Pacific Coast of North America. However, the area has been significantly impacted by human activities such as hydraulic mining, salt production, diking, draining, filling, agriculture, and development. All told, about 85% of San Pablo Bay's tidal marshes have been altered.

The Refuge includes a variety of habitats including open water, mud flat, tidal marsh, estuary, and seasonal and managed wetlands.

The refuge hosts millions of migratory shorebirds and waterfowl, including the largest wintering population of Canvasbacks on the west coast. The Refuge also provides year-round habitat for sensitive species including the endangered Ridgway's Rail and salt marsh harvest mouse. Public access to the refuge is provided by the .

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

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