Strawberry Lagoon facts for kids
Strawberry Lagoon is a calm water area, like a small bay, found in Richardson Bay in Marin County, California. It's a very important place for Harbor seals. These seals often come here to rest on the land, which is called "hauling out."
Over the years, more buildings and boats have appeared near Strawberry Lagoon. This has made it harder for the seals to use the lagoon as much as they used to. Scientists noticed this change as early as 1990.
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Why Strawberry Lagoon is Special
Home for Harbor Seals
The entire San Francisco Bay area has about 500 Harbor seals. Up to 100 of these seals have been seen resting at Strawberry Lagoon. They often gather on a piece of land called Strawberry Spit. Usually, Harbor seals in California do not gather in groups larger than 100.
In the 1980s, a channel was dug to separate Strawberry Spit from the mainland. This created a safer resting spot for the seals. This new island is known as Sanctuary Island.
Protecting the Seals
In 1990, a study suggested ways to better protect the seals. Workers built a small dirt hill, called an earthen berm, on the southern part of Sanctuary Island. They also planted native grasses and shrubs there. This landscaping helps give the Harbor seals more privacy and a safer place to rest.
Harbor seals are protected in the United States. This protection comes from a law called the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. This law helps keep marine mammals, like seals, safe from harm.
Nature Around the Lagoon
Ring Mountain's Treasures
The land above Strawberry Lagoon is home to Ring Mountain. This mountain is famous for several reasons. It has ancient rock carvings, called petroglyphs, made by Native American people long ago.
Ring Mountain also has many different kinds of native plants. Some of these plants are very rare. A few are even endangered, meaning they are at risk of disappearing forever. Protecting these special plants helps keep the natural balance of the area.
