The Story of the Marsh: Data, Dirt and Discovery

By Guest Blogger Jesse Amital

As part of our ongoing work to connect people with the Bay’s natural landscapes, we’re sharing a series that explores the story of San Francisco Bay’s tidal marshes — their history, science, and the community efforts that keep them thriving.

The marsh’s recovery is unfolding through a combination of science and stewardship, as recent projects show.

​At Pond A17, our team has been studying how different soil treatments and seeding techniques support native marsh vegetation.

By testing and monitoring these methods over time, we’re learning what makes tidal wetlands more resilient in the face of changing environmental conditions. Volunteers — including students from San José State University — support these efforts by collecting data and tracking plant growth, turning each field season into applied restoration science.

​That spirit of hands-on involvement extends to Alviso Marina County Park, where more than 1,000 local 5th and 6th graders from Title I schools have helped plant native species and restore marsh habitat through our partnership with educational nonprofit Marshmallow Minds. Through these experiences, students discover that they can play an active role in conserving their local environment.

Photo by Amanda Newlove

Every seed sown, dataset collected, and young person inspired helps shape the marsh’s future.

Learn more about our ongoing tidal marsh restoration work at sfbbo.org/tidalmarsh.