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Mira Monte Acquisition

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Location: Alongside the Petaluma river, a small portion of the 57-acre Mira Monte property can be seen from Highway 101 – but don’t try spotting it while driving, it is hard to see! The viewable area looks East just before the turn off to the Redwood landfill and is wooded hill that was once an island in the Bay.

Project Description: Marin Audubon has the exciting opportunity to purchase the property which is at the mouth of San Antonio Creek and the Petaluma River and consists of mostly wetland parcels on both sides of the Creek in Marin and Sonoma Counties.

Project Benefits: This acquisition will have many benefits for the Bay’s wildlife. It will ensure that tidal marsh habitat is protected for the endangered California Clapper Rail and Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse, for special status species California Black Rail, and San Pablo Song Sparrow, and to serve as a nursery for fish. The acquisition will protect the waters of San Antonio Creek from disturbance so that Chinook and Coho salmon, steelhead and other native fish can move upstream, and provide more wintering habitat for diving ducks to feed and rest.

Acquisition will remove the possibility of pollution from ongoing commercial uses and will keep the property open to public use. The Marin County parcel, which is zoned Recreation/Commercial, had been operated as a marina and restaurant. It is currently leased for storage of recreational vehicles. The California Department of Fish and Game will be ultimate owner of the property.

The purchase has broad political and community support: Marin Baylands Advocates, San Francisco Bay Joint Venture, Marin County Open Space District, Marin Conservation League, The Olompali People, and the California Department of Fish and Game.

Funding Needed: The closing date is coming up soon and more funds are needed to meet the $1.85 million purchase price. Time is of the essence. Send to the Marin Baylands Fund at the Marin Community Foundation, 5 Hamilton Landing Suite 200, Novato, CA 94949.

For more information about the project visit: http://www.marinaudubon.org or contact Barbara Salzman.