San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Welcome to San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge, a wetland oasis located on the shores of San Pablo Bay near Petaluma, California. Much of this region has been heavily impacted by activities such as salt production, diversion of water, mining, and wetland converstion. Only about 15 percent of the original wetlands are still in their virgin state and this has negatively affected the waters of the bay.

 

Refuge History: As recently as the mid-19th century these wetlands were part of one of the most extensive wetland systems on the west coast and provide habitat for millions of migratory birds and numerous other species. The 19th century gold rush brought rapid development to the region and silt began to grow in the bay area waters.