Whiteside Marsh facts for kids
Whiteside Marsh is a special natural area in Marin County, California. It's a type of wet, grassy land called a marsh, located right next to San Pablo Bay. This area is where fresh water from rivers mixes with salty ocean water, creating a unique environment called an estuary. Whiteside Marsh is near the cities of Novato and Bel Marin Keys, in the northern part of the San Francisco Bay Area. It's a very important place for many plants and animals.
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What is Whiteside Marsh?
Whiteside Marsh is a coastal wetland. This means it's a low-lying area that is often covered by water. It's part of an estuary, which is a place where a river meets the sea. The mix of fresh and salt water makes it a special home for many creatures. Marshes like this are important because they filter water and protect the land from floods.
Bringing the Marsh Back to Life
Whiteside Marsh is now part of a big effort called the Hamilton Wetland Restoration Project. This project is working to bring the marsh back to its natural state. It's happening on land that used to be a military base called the Hamilton Army Airfield.
Why Restore the Marsh?
Restoring the marsh helps nature in many ways. It creates a better habitat (home) for animals and plants. For example, the marsh is a home for the California red-legged frog. This frog is easy to spot because it has red markings on its legs. It's an endangered species, meaning there are not many left. The marsh also provides a safe place for the endangered California least tern to build its nests.
A Look Back in Time at Whiteside Marsh
Whiteside Marsh has a long and interesting history.
From Marsh to Farmland
Around the early 1900s, people changed the marshland. They built walls, called dikes, to keep the water out. Then, they dried out the land and used it for farming. This area was once the farm of a person named Peter Whiteside. That's how the marsh got its name!
From Farmland to Airfield
Later, in 1930, a military base was built on this land. It was first called Hamilton Air Force Base. Then, it became the Hamilton Army Airfield. This base was used for many years until it closed in 1988. After the base closed, the land could finally begin its journey back to being a natural marsh.
