ReWild calls for community input to enhance and restore up to 170 acres of wetlands
San Diego Audubon Society, a local organization dedicated to fostering the protection and appreciation of birds, wildlife and local habitats, announces ReWild Mission Bay and its new website, rewildmissionbay.org. Through the site, Audubon released its official request for proposals for consultants to lead a process that develops conceptual plans for enhancing and restoring up to 170 acres of wetlands in the northeast corner of Mission Bay.
With ReWild Mission Bay, San Diego Audubon spearheads a three-year planning process that includes collecting community input and generating plans to restore the wetlands along Pacific Beach Drive and on both sides of Rose Creek. By May 2017, this process will yield at least three versions of a community-informed, scientifically defensible wetlands restoration plan for the northeast corner of Mission Bay. Once the City of San Diego approves a plan, next steps include permitting and, ultimately, restoration of the area’s wetlands.
To facilitate this process, San Diego Audubon seeks proposals from consulting firms for the development of the ReWild Mission Bay restoration plan alternatives. The organization wants to hear from consulting firms skillful in coordinating and managing similar feasibility studies and design projects. The multidisciplinary project team could include specialists in wildlife biology, wetland and restoration ecology, civil engineering, hydrology and geomorphology, planning, landscape architecture and other appropriate fields.
In addition to proposals, San Diego Audubon encourages frequent community engagement in educational workshops and public meetings to ensure Mission Bay residents help shape the project and results.
“The Mission Bay community serves as a fundamental part of the ReWild team,” says Rebecca Schwartz, project manager for ReWild Mission Bay. “This restoration affects a habitat which both humans and wildlife call home. Public input throughout the process ensures we meet our goal of building a healthier Mission Bay for generations to enjoy.”
Wetlands, including marshes, mud flats, riverbanks and more, play an important role in San Diego’s quality of life as they attract wildlife, foster a diverse ecosystem, improve water quality and protect communities from flooding by providing a cushion during high tides. Today, only five percent of the historic 4,000 acres of Mission Bay wetlands remain, making ReWild Mission Bay a critical and time-sensitive project for the area.
Rewildmissionbay.org operates as a resource to anyone curious, interested or passionate about restoring Mission Bay wetlands with a wealth of information and opportunities to get involved.
ReWild Mission Bay is a project of San Diego Audubon in partnership with the CA State Coastal Conservancy and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Coastal Program. ReWild aims to enhance and restore up to 170 acres of wetlands in the northeast corner of Mission Bay, creating opportunity for wildlife to thrive and San Diegans to enjoy. www.rewildmissionbay.org
