Corporate Volunteers Banding Together to Save Tidal Marshes

​By Habitats Seasonal Ecologist Emily Cech

​One of my favorite aspects of working with SFBBO has been community involvement. Over the past six months, I have had the opportunity to help lead corporate volunteer events with Intuitive Surgical, Cisco, and Electronic Arts.

​It is truly powerful having people from different backgrounds and professions coming together to make a difference. With the continuing rise in sea level, it is now more important than ever to protect tidal marshes. Tidal marshes not only provide habitat for wildlife, but also act as refuge for sensitive species at high tide and protect ...

neighboring communities from flooding.
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In December 2017, Intuitive Surgical planted native species, such as California rose (Rosa californica), saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), and poverty weed (Iva axillaris) at one of SFBBO’s restoration sites, Pond A17, in Alviso, CA. Planting these natives not only promotes a more diverse plant community, but also provides critical habitat for sensitive wildlife.
 
In this same month, Cisco came out to our nursery located at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Environmental Education Center in Alviso, CA. They seeded about 200 alkali mallow (Malvella leprosa) into plug flats. We will continue to care for these natives in our nursery until they have grown to a point where they are ready for planting out at Pond A17.
 
In May and June 2018, Electronic Arts volunteered with us at another one of SFBBO’s restoration sites, Inner Bair Island, in Redwood City, CA. They participated in the removal of highly invasive species: crown daisy (Glebionis coronaria) and mustard (Brassica sp.). These species have the capability to overtake habitats and outcompete beneficial native plants.

The effort put in from these volunteers is crucial. Clearing out these invasive plants will give natives a more optimal chance to establish and create a more suitable habitat for fauna. Electronic Arts also collected salt marsh sand spurry (Spergularia marina) seeds onsite. To continue our efforts in establishing a more stable community of native plants, these collected seeds will eventually be spread across the site.
 
My experiences working with corporate volunteers has been truly priceless. Each person brought such a sense of interest and enthusiasm. It was very inspiring to witness such a willingness to learn about tidal marshes. We owe so much to the hard work of all of our wonderful volunteers! Thank you for your help!

You can reach Emily at [email protected]. You can learn more about volunteering your corporate group by visiting our website. ​