HABITAT RESTORATION & SEA LEVEL RISE
Tiscornia Marsh Project
Tiscornia Marsh
Adaptation
Project
2022 Community Forum
Building on the preliminary design produced by Environmental Science Associates (ESA) with a grant from the Marin Community Foundation, the Tiscornia Marsh Restoration and Sea Level Rise Adaptation Project will advance the design for restoring marsh habitat and improving the levee, connecting with the community, improving a public trail, and completing an environmental review.  The project design will include restoring an eroded section of the existing tidal marsh, opening the diked marsh to tidal action, stabilizing and improving a section of the degraded levee to increase flood protection for the community, and providing a transition zone habitat for wildlife and flood control.Â
Overview
SFBRA
The San Francisco Bay Regional Authority funds projects that restore, protect, and enhance wetlands and wildlife habitats along San Francisco Bay and its shoreline. Learn more here.
MAS
The Marin Audubon Society (MAS) will manage and lead the project. Learn more about MAS here.
Why is the project needed?
¿Por qué es necesario el proyecto?
Presentation by youth outreach workers
Youth Outreach
Discover
The Tiscornia Marsh Project includes opportunities for youth to explore sea level rise, learn about the potential impacts on their communities, and promote youth participation by documenting changes in the current living shorelines.
Conserve
Change
About
Tiscornia Marsh Project
This project will address potential flooding and habitat degradation along San Rafael’s Canal area shoreline, focusing on the Tiscornia Marsh.
Current Habitat Loss
The tidal marshlands at Tiscornia have eroded over the past 30 years, retreating as much as 200 feet with approximately 3 acres lost. The loss of habitat is significant for the endangered Ridgway’s Rail and many migratory shorebirds as well as for residents as the marsh is a buffer against bay waters flooding the canal. Existing and new data will be used to develop solutions to create a nature-based buffer against sea level rise, preserve critical wildlife habitat, and connect the top of the levee with the Bay Trail.
Projected Water Levels
Water levels in the San Francisco Bay may rise eight inches by 2035, and sixteen inches by 2050. San Rafael’s downtown and canal-fronting neighborhoods are among the most vulnerable. Bahia Vista Elementary and the Albert J. Boro Community Center both critical assets for the Canal could each face up to two feet of flooding in the future. The project will provide critical education to the Canal neighborhood about the potential impacts of sea level rise within the community and involve residents in adaptation planning and implementation of solutions.Â
Global warming is the primary cause of sea level rise.
Shrinking glaciers and ice sheets are adding water to the world’s oceans.
Shrinking glaciers and ice sheets are adding water to the world’s oceans.
Sea water expands as its temperature rises.
Sea level rise is accelerating.
Current and projected sea levels
– 2100
– 12-48 inches
– 2050
– 6-16 inches
– Today
– 8 inches
Sea level rise is accelerating.
Current and projected sea levels
– 2100
– 12-48 inches
– 2050
– 6-16 inches
– Today
– 8 inches
How to Help
Prevent Climate Change
Start Small
The little things make a difference – planting trees, and buying local produce helps lesson carbon footprint.
Reduce Waste
Take Action
Save Energy
Travel Green
Clean Energy
Reduce Beef Consumption
Nature-Based Restoration
The Marsh Currently
Key
Flood Risk
Sea Rise
1957 - 1987
Sea Rise
1988 - 2017
Levee
After the Project
Key
New Levee
Lowered Levee
Gravel Beach
Upland Transition
Raised Levee
Tidal Channels
Restored Marsh
Comments & Feedback
Comentarios
Project made possible by:
