The primary focus of the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is to support tidal marsh restoration through research, monitoring and education.


Location: The San Francisco Bay Reserve is comprised of two components-Rush Ranch and China Camp State Park.

Total Acreage: 3,710

Designation: 2003

Lead State Agency: San Francisco State University Romberg Tiburon Center

San Francisco Bay has lost nearly 97 percent of its historic tidal wetlands due to development pressures within and around the bay. Tidal wetlands are critical for flood prevention; sediment management; and habitat for small mammals, migratory birds and fish species, many of which are threatened and endangered.


Since 1999, approximately 11,420 acres of wetlands have been restored to tidal influence in San Francisco Bay. Plans for restoring 25,500 acres are underway. However, the effectiveness of restoration can only be measured relative to the remaining 3 percent of relict tidal wetlands. The two reserve components are highly utilized as reference sites against which enhanced, restored or created wetlands are evaluated. The value of these reference sites, coupled with the monitoring, research and education programs sponsored by the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, create an opportunity for agencies to direct research priorities and benefit from scientific studies addressing key restoration issues in the bay area.