Contact:
Taryn Martinez (212) 979-3185 /
Brooke Langston (415) 388 2524 ext. 109 /
For Immediate Use
December 4, 2008

One of 41 newly announced TogetherGreen national innovation grants will enable the Tiburon-based Richardson Bay Audubon Center and Sanctuary to launch a volunteer-powered effort to expand salt marsh habitat and restore native plant communities on three islands in northwestern San Francisco Bay.

A one-year grant of $58,000 will be used toward the restoration and enhancement effort for three islands in the Richardson Bay region. The islands provided an important refuge and resting place for birds during the Cosco-Busan oil spill in 2007 in San Francisco Bay. The enhanced environment will improve habitat for resident and migratory birds including species of concern such as the California Clapper rail, the San Pablo Song Sparrow and the Saltmarsh yellow throat as well as mammals such as the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse.

The three islands were created from dredge spoils back in the 1960s and include Aramburu, largest of the three at 17 acres and the most invaded by non-native plants, which cover 60% of the island. Pickleweed Island and a third unnamed island are smaller and dominated by native plants.

The project will contribute to the regional restoration effort presented originally in the Baylands Ecosystem Habitat Goals report of 1999. That report recommended the types and amounts of wetlands and associated ecosystems needed to support diverse and healthy wildlife and fish communities around San Francisco Bay. Invasive plants, including brooms and ice plant, have spread widely, reducing habitat diversity and use by birds and small mammals. The restoration effort will eliminate the invasive plants and allow the return of native species along with the birds and other wildlife that depend on them.

“We’ll be using students and local volunteers to help accomplish this important transformation,” said Brooke Langston, Director of Richardson Bay Audubon Center.  “They’ll not only be restoring the health of the local environment, they’ll be inspiring others to take action by demonstrating the difference it can make.”

Activities in the Audubon-led program will include:

• enhancing salt marsh habitat by removing nonnative, invasive plants;
• replanting invaded areas using volunteer help;
• enhancing berms along the steep eastern shore to increase habitat suitability for Forster’s terns;
• enhancing a tidal pool at the north end of Aramburu to encourage use by small marsh fish, juvenile bay fish and invertebrates, in turn, attracting more wading birds to visit.

The Richardson Bay Audubon Center and Sanctuary grant is part of the first $1.4 million awarded by the TogetherGreen initiative, a national Audubon project with funding from Toyota. Grantees were selected from scores of applicants across America. Funds were awarded to Audubon organizations that demonstrated exceptional innovation in working with other groups on projects that will produce tangible benefits for environmental quality.

“This is an important opportunity to expand wildlife habitat in the San Francisco Bay Area and we are pleased to be able to provide support to help make it happen,” said TogetherGreen Project Manager Judy Braus.

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TogetherGreen will invest in both promising environmental projects and outstanding leaders that can shape a brighter tomorrow.  Along with Innovation Grants to be awarded each year, TogetherGreen funds and promotes conservation leadership training and volunteer programs designed to equip and engage diverse groups and individuals to take action today to shape a healthier tomorrow.  Information on other grantees, along with opportunities to get involved in conservation efforts, showcase successful initiatives, and honor those who are making a difference, can be found at www.TogetherGreen.org.

About Audubon
Now in its second century, Audubon connects people with birds, nature and the environment that supports us all. Our national network of community-based nature centers, chapters, scientific, education, and advocacy programs engages millions of people from all walks of life in conservation action to protect and restore the natural world.  

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants, with another under construction in Mississippi. Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities where it does business and believes in supporting programs with long-term sustainable results. Through its corporate initiatives, manufacturing operations and philanthropy, Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education, the environment and safety. In 2007, Toyota contributed more than $56 million to philanthropic programs in the U.S. For more information on Toyota's commitment to improving communities nationwide, visit http://www.toyota.com/community.