The National Estuary Program
Posted by Ruth Ann Angus
Ruth Ann introduced Shari Sullivan, who worked at the Bay News for
several years and is now the outreach coordinator for the Morro Bay
National Estuary Program. She has a background in biology.
Shari explained that an estuary is where fresh and salt water meet and mingle. The entirety of Morro Bay itself is considered estuary, not just the back bay. An estuary is generally protected by a land mass. Estuaries are productive ecosystems and fish nurseries. Our estuary is home to 150 species of birds and 24 endangered species.
Our estuary is part of the Morro Bay watershed, which extends to the tops of the Santa Lucia and Irish Hills mountains and encompasses the California Mens Colony on Highway 1 and the Warden Ranch on Los Osos Valley Road. All creeks and rainfall throughout the watershed drain into our estuary, so there is ongoing work to reduce pollutant sources throughout the entire area.
Shari urged us to visit the MBNEP visitor center at Marina Square on the Embarcadero, where there are many displays and photos showing the work being done throughout our watershed and estuary. There are many volunteers putting in thousands of hours to ensure the survival of our beautiful estuary.
We also need to keep in mind that all our plastics, motor oil and other discarded trash and dog poop run downhill into the bay, and those things are huge sources of pollution. On Saturday, September 19, the NEP will participate in Coastal Cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon. On Saturday, October 3, volunteers will help with San Luis Obispo County Creek Cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon. Shari said the NEP also partners with Audubon and SWAP to perform projects in our area.
If you are interested in volunteering, please call Shari at 772-3834 or email her at ssullivan@mbnep.org.
Shari explained that an estuary is where fresh and salt water meet and mingle. The entirety of Morro Bay itself is considered estuary, not just the back bay. An estuary is generally protected by a land mass. Estuaries are productive ecosystems and fish nurseries. Our estuary is home to 150 species of birds and 24 endangered species.
Our estuary is part of the Morro Bay watershed, which extends to the tops of the Santa Lucia and Irish Hills mountains and encompasses the California Mens Colony on Highway 1 and the Warden Ranch on Los Osos Valley Road. All creeks and rainfall throughout the watershed drain into our estuary, so there is ongoing work to reduce pollutant sources throughout the entire area.
Shari urged us to visit the MBNEP visitor center at Marina Square on the Embarcadero, where there are many displays and photos showing the work being done throughout our watershed and estuary. There are many volunteers putting in thousands of hours to ensure the survival of our beautiful estuary.
We also need to keep in mind that all our plastics, motor oil and other discarded trash and dog poop run downhill into the bay, and those things are huge sources of pollution. On Saturday, September 19, the NEP will participate in Coastal Cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon. On Saturday, October 3, volunteers will help with San Luis Obispo County Creek Cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon. Shari said the NEP also partners with Audubon and SWAP to perform projects in our area.
If you are interested in volunteering, please call Shari at 772-3834 or email her at ssullivan@mbnep.org.