College of Marin Ecological Study Area

This woodland site covers two acres adjacent to the multi-use path that links the college and Marin General Hospital, and is bounded by Corte Madera Creek and a tidal slough. We initiated the project in 1998 by pulling broom and installing a small number of coyote brush plants and oaks. It has developed into a cooperative effort with the College of Marin, and has as its goal the eventual replacement of all eucalyptus and acacia trees on the site with a diverse woodland of native species. In early 2005 a large area was cleared of non-native trees and replanted with nearly 400 native species.

A survey was conducted previously to ensure that roosting herons and egrets would be disturbed as little as possible. Friends volunteers continue to remove periwinkle and non-native blackberry to expand the native plantings. When funds become available, more eucalyptuses and acacias will be replaced.

Funding of the early planning phases was provided by the San Francisco Estuary Project. Funding for implementation has
been provided by the Willis Evans Watershed Habitat Improvement Grant Program of the Marin Municipal Water District. Water for the temporary drip system is donated by the Ross Valley Sanitary District.