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HomeMy WebLinkAbout00 - Non-Agenda Item - HandoutNewport Bay Conservancy January 27, 2015 Non - Agenda Item Handout www.newportbay.org Join a Partnership that Protects Our Bay and Enhances Our Community. Newport Bay Conservancy k i - —_j d I ffil ,'IJ 1 E `v , 73 , ^ v F 55 �m �. r f y `I is ..anDI oCree EL- +� d :,At -� i .�rsit 'of Z, �' � aiifoYnia ' Irvine , ,ask Costa rvin p e3 ��• 7777 y� , "� 1 /t16 � I—% Y w Newport �� Newport Bay January 21, 2015 To: Members of Newport Beach City Council Conservancy Dear Council Member, Board of Directors The Newport Bay Conservancy would like to wish City Council members well in their new term of office. We welcome the opportunity to work with you in the Peter Fuhrer, President coming months and years. Peter Bryant Michelle Clemente Newport Beach is very fortunate to have the Upper Newport Bay, the largest remaining natural estuary in Southern California, here within our city boundaries. Frances Cork It is often called "Orange County's Hidden Gem ". Howard Cork Donna Flower Upper Newport Bay, or Back Bay as it is known to local residents, is a major recreational and ecological resource. On any given day, there are hundreds of Holly Fuhrer people walking or biking the trails and kayaking or paddle boarding on the water. Nancy Gardner Upper Newport Bay is an important nursery for halibut and other fish that Sarah Kimball enhance the sport fishing businesses in Newport Harbor. It also provides a resting and feeding source for thousands of migratory birds, making it a significant Jean Whitaker tourist attraction to birders from around the world. No less important is the fact Danielle Zached that Upper Newport Bay acts as a basin to prevent sediment from reaching the harbor. It attracts scientists and students interested in studying the unique Dick Zembal ecosystems that flourish in the estuarine environment. The facilities located in the Bay — the Muth Interpretive Center and the Back Bay Science Center — host thousands of students and visitors yearly. Advisory Board Newport Beach is truly fortunate to have such a multipurpose treasure on our Buck Johns doorstep. Colleen Johns The mission of the Newport Bay Conservancy is "to protect and preserve the Bob Shelton Upper Newport Bay ". We do this through educational programs for all ages, Jean Watt habitat restoration of the nearly 300 acres surrounding the Bay, research into the Ron Yeo marine life and health of the Bay, and advocacy for issues affecting the well -being of the Bay and the watershed. Our mission is accomplished with the help and dedication of over 100 trained volunteer naturalists who contribute more than 10,000 volunteer hours every year, the support of many donors who fund our activities, and the partnership of the City of Newport Beach, Orange County Parks, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the California Coastal Commission. /continued Our mission is to protect and preserve Upper Newport Bay P. O. Box 10804, Newport Beach, CA 92658 1 ph. 949.640.1751 1 fax 949.640.1742 1 www.newportbay.org Letter to Members of Newport Beach City Council (continued): We are providing each of you with our 2014 annual report which gives a good picture of what we do, and would be pleased to present a more detailed description of our current activities and long -term plans at a study session, if that is the wish of the Council. We would also be delighted to take you on a personal walking or water tour of the Bay. We look forward to continuing to partner with the City Council on maintaining this vital part of the City where nature, recreation, and tourism combine to create a unique experience for residents and visitors alike. Respectfully, J Peter Fuhrer Board President, Newport Bay Conservancy Board of Directors Newport Bay i iy Conservancy Our mission is to protect and preserve Upper Newport Bay Howard Cork Board Director howard.cork@newportbay.org 0.949.640.1751 0.714.686.2006 P.O. Box 10804, Newport Beach, CA 92658 www.newportbay.org P. 0. Box 10804, Newport Beach, CA 92618 1 ph. 949.640.1751 1 fax 949.640.1742 1 www.newportbay.org NEWPORT BAY CONSERVANCY 2014 ANNUAL REPORT INTRODUCTION 2014 has been a year of progress and consolidation with two new staff and a strengthened Board in place. Much of our focus has been on bringing the new staff up -to -speed with our programs and activities and beginning to build clear strategic objectives. It has been particularly rewarding to see the energy and commitment of Heather Cieslak and Jeanne Stein in the way they have established their presence inside the Conservancy and with our partners. Over 100 volunteers reported hours in the past 12 months. It is the dedication of this community of volunteers, many of whom have been with us for more than 10 years, that is the bedrock of the Conservancy. During 2014, 43 people completed our volunteer orientation program. The majority of these new volunteers are now logging hours as they engage in activities around the Bay. We also have 18 energetic volunteers participating in this year's full 10- week/20 session Naturalist Training Program and we look forward to seeing them take lead roles in our programs. NBC is also fortunate in having over 200 Friends Members whose annual membership donations make a substantial contribution towards our ability to deliver our programs. This report summarizes the accomplishments of the past year and highlights key challenges in the year ahead. 1. Strategy Development Two major conclusions reached at our Board retreat in February were 1.1 The need to build a broad consensus /vision of "The Healthy Bay ". This will require sustained facilitation with the many agencies and nonprofits who have a role to play in ensuring the wellbeing of the Bay. Our highly successful June Monitoring Symposium (attended by approximately 65 people) represented the formal launch of this initiative, and we used this to build connections between representatives of several organizations who are willing to commit energy to building a consensus view of what a healthy, sustainable Bay would look like. As part of this initiative we will be partnering with the City of Newport Beach, whose Natural Resources team under Board Member Michelle Clemente will be completing the Data Catalog started several years ago by Roger Mallet, and taking the lead in creating a citizen science program to engage the local community and schools in support of the Bay. 1.2 The need for an overall restoration plan for the open space around the Bay. The Conservancy has been active in numerous restoration projects around the Bay for many years, in partnership with the Coastal Commission's Community -Based Restoration Program, OC Parks, CDFW and the City. This work has continued through 2014. Given the scale of the overall task, and the multiple landowning agencies in the Bay, we believe that NBC is in a unique position to bring these bodies together to create an overall Newport Bay Conservancy 2014 Annual Report multi -year restoration plan for the entire UNB open space. Under the leadership of Board member Sarah Kimball, we have begun this task by conducting walk - throughs on both sides of the Bay to evaluate past restoration projects, identify additional areas needing action, and develop priorities for action. OC Parks, The City, CDFW, the Coastal Commission and BRC have been heavily involved in this process, together with a significant Conservancy presence. 2. Programs and Activities 2.1 School Programs 2.2 We continue to offer a variety of school programs for students of all ages. Nine high schools and two colleges brought their students to the Bay in 2014 to participate in our Environmental Studies Program. A total of 641 students learned about the ecosystems, history, geology and native species in and around the Bay. This a significant increase over the 513 students served in 2013. Students from schools that participated in the full 4 -day program presented their chosen environmental project proposals to teams of judges, mainly drawn from amongst our Naturalists, at environmental fairs hosted at the Interpretive Center by OC Parks and NBC. Several additional Title 1 schools are eager to take part in the full 4 -day program, and we are applying for grant support to enable them to do so in 2014/15. We are also involved in the Explorer program for high school students wishing to train for leadership roles. In addition, over 1,000 elementary school children participated in interpretive tours at the Muth Center led by NBC volunteers. Public Programs/Tours Our water -based tours continue to grow in popularity. To date in 2014 we have hosted over 1,000 people on our docent -led weekend kayak tours staffed by a core group of around 20 of our NBC volunteers. We have also run outrigger tours for another 300 people, hosting corporate groups including Google, the American Planning Association and Marriott Hotels together with groups from The Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and Boy and Girl Scout Troops. Our monthly interpretive walking tours in Big Canyon, on Back Bay Drive and Shellmaker Island have had anywhere between 4 -30 participants on each walk. Our Friends Tours, heading rapidly towards their 5e year of operation, were run during the rust 3 months of the year, attracting 164 people, mainly local community college students. 2 Newport Bay Conservancy 2014 Annual Report 2.3 Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center The Center continues to see upwards of 40,000 visitors a year. Our 20+ Front Desk volunteers provide an invaluable service to these visitors, providing information about the facilities and resources in the Center, the surrounding County Nature Preserve and State Ecological Reserve, in addition to staffing the gift shop and Plein Air art gallery. 2.4 Habitat Restoration We continue to be heavily involved in the restoration of Newport Valley via the weekly Stewards Day activities and the monthly ROOTS events. Our Naturalists also continue to play a significant role in the management and development of the native plant nursery at the Back Bay Science Center. The Conservancy also continues to support the monthly 2nd Sunday restoration programs run by OC Parks, and has been active throughout the Bay in removing invasive plants and planting native plants. The long - anticipated Bayview restoration project has now been granted the necessary Coastal Commission clearance, and will begin this month. 2.5 Research Our research committee has continued to sponsor and lead various marine species monitoring projects in the Bay, and is currently looking at ways of extending these activities to create more opportunities for our naturalists to experience structured scientific research methodology, and add value to our understanding of the Bay's ecology in doing so. w Special Events Earth Day (our 20 at the Bay) in April saw 77000=^ —.,,,_ upwards of 1,300 visitors to the Muth Center for A, sp;;•° y. the regular family- oriented and educational program of activities. Twenty other environmental r.sr organizations including Inside the Outdoors, 4 Environmental Nature Center, California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the City of t Newport Beach Natural Resources team hosted booths and celebrated the Day with us. We ' enlisted the help of over 30 NBC volunteers that day to welcome guests, paint children's faces, staff microscopes and craft stations, run a scavenger hunt and an opportunity drawing and much more. Estuary Awareness Day (June) at the Back Bay Science Center was held in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and drew over 500 people this year, a big increase over recent years. Fifteen NBC volunteers helped with welcoming guests, leading pontoon boat trips, craft stations, informational booths and selling snacks. 3 Newport Bay Conservancy 2014 Annual Report Coastal Cleanup Day (also our 24d' at the Bay) held in September was particularly successful this year and showcased what can be achieved by active collaboration between NBC and our agency partners. We saw close to 750 members of the public from over 30 different corporate, school, family and scout groups deployed over a dozen targeted cleanup locations both in the water and on land. This year was the first time for several years that we were able to clear trash from the saltmarsh along Back Bay Drive, thanks to the City closing Back Bay Drive to motor traffic during e event. Close to 50 NBC Volunteers welcomed each group, supervised all the cleanup locations, handed out commemorative t- shirts and tallied cleanup day results. An estimated 22,000lbs of trash was removed from the Bay during the 3 -hour event. Plein Air Exhibition and Display Sale (9`h time) was held in July. This year's event was judged by our partners in SOCALPAPA as the best -run so far. The new format for the Friday reception was a great success. Over 40 children participated in the free painting class. Although over 1500 people attended the 2 -day show, sales were down on the previous year. We think the main cause was the absence of several popular exhibitors this year. 3. Partnership Development 3.1 California Department of IIsh and Wildlife, OC Parks, and the City of Newport Beach We have actively worked on strengthening our relations with the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Orange County Parks, and the City of Newport Beach throughout the year. At the start of 2014 we proposed the re- establishment of a UNB collaboration committee, comprising the local management from each of these 3 landowners around the Bay. Meetings have taken place bi- monthly and have identified a number of projects which would enhance the community's ability to enjoy the Bay whilst maintaining the protection of key habitats. These include a comprehensive plan to upgrade interpretive signage around the Bay, based on a proposal developed by NBC Naturalist Jim Cokas; a proposal to install a 2 °d Osprey Nesting platform; an investigation of the potential to upgrade the unofficial trail below the Salt Dyke overlook; and the benefits of creating an overall trail/public access plan for the entire UNB open space. There has recently been a complete change of personnel at OC Parks. We will miss Sue,ICandice and Portia who have been great colleagues over the years, but welcome Scott Fegley and his new team to the Bay. We look forward to working with them as we help them review and refresh aspects of the Muth Center. Change always creates new challenges, but the strength of our relationship with the County at the Bay is an enormous asset to both parties. We have also been working with OC Parks 0 Newport Bay Conservancy 2014 Annual Report management to work through the implementation of their new volunteer management program that has been outsourced to the Irvine Ranch Conservancy. Because we work with several partners, not just the County, this has been challenging and has demanded flexibility on both sides. As part of our advocacy role we decided to raise formally with the City our concern about safety issues on Back Bay Drive. Our suggestion that part of a solution could be to make the road one -way for both cars and cyclists caused no little controversy with the cycling community, although our principal stated concern was with the need to enforce the speed limit for all road users. Our representations led to a special committee being set up to make recommendations on reducing safety risks under the aegis of the Bike Master Plan committee, but when this failed to produce a workable proposal, the City decided to take the matter back into their own hands. Their declared intent is to maintain Back Bay Drive for all existing users. There is now a proposal to set aside funds to improve the road. We will keep close to this as the plans are developed. The City are also preparing plans for a major restoration of Big Canyon, and have sought our help in this, together with IRC to whom they have already awarded a contract to do some trail improvement and restoration in the Canyon. Linked to this we also facilitated a meeting between the City and CDFW to try to reach agreement on an overall plan for Big Canyon, including action to deal with the cattail- choked ponds. As always, funding is a key issue here. 3.2 Other Environmental Nonprofits We have actively reached out to organizations such as Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks, OC Coastkeeper, SPON and Laguna Canyon Foundation to form joint approaches on strategic topics such as our "Healthy Bay" initiative and on specific issues such as the plans for the Lower Castaways site and the implementation of the OC Parks volunteer management contract. The Board believes such relationships are key to us being able to influence major issues affecting the Bay and the Conservancy. 3.3 Corporations and Grant - making Foundations During 2014 we hosted a number of major corporations on interpretive tours and restoration projects in the Bay. These included Marriott, Google, REI, Volcom, DeutscheBank, Schneider Electric, St Gobain Corporation, and PIMCO. In every case these have led directly to donations and/or invitations to apply for grants from their charitable foundations. The amounts involved vary in size, but the relationships we are building with locally -based corporations are of great mutual benefit and we will invest effort in developing them. 5 Newport Bay Conservancy 2014 Annual Report 4. Major Projects Em 4.2 Watershed Coordination Our 3 -year grant from the State Department of Conservation (DoQ ended on June 30. Due mainly to time lost in 2011 and 2012 through personnel changes, most of our efforts were concentrated in 2013 and the first half of this year. NBC was awarded the grant because of the DoC's interest in our proposal to pilot a system -level approach to watershed management. This was an attempt to overcome the current rather fragmented approach by the different regulatory and water management agencies. The learning from the project was that it will take longer than the period provided for in the grant to achieve alignment among the multiple organizations involved, given the sheer number of agencies involved and their particular legislative focus. We also realized the need to build a stronger consensus for what a healthy Upper Newport Bay looks like in order to effectively advocate for changing practices in the wider watershed. Useful relationships were also created with several of the key agencies in the Newport Bay watershed, which can be built upon over the coming years. In June 2014, the Department of Conservation awarded us an extension grant to identify practical projects that could improve water capture and retention in the watershed. This project completes at the end of 2014. Bayview Restoration After several delays in the permitting process, we will be carrying out this restoration over the next couple of months. Covering 2 adjacent sites below the Mesa pocket park, the project has required close planning with the County and CDFW, as well as clearance with US Fish and Wildlife and the Coastal Commission. Some of the site has been subject to prior restorations that have not been successful in the long run. Our contractor, Endemic Environmental Services, has recently completed a very successful project in Fairview Park, and we will be looking for volunteer support to sustain the native plantings through the dry season next year (do we have "wet' ' seasons anymore ?). 3 Newport Bay Conservancy 2014 Annual Report 4.3 Tidelands to Uplands Exhibit, Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center Another project long in the making, installation of this significant new exhibit is now underway. The objective of the exhibit is to showcase the different habitats represented in the Bay and surrounding bluffs. We are working with Amy Erickson from OC Parks to create the interpretive materials for the installation. We are also discussing a comprehensive review of the educational resources in the Center with OC Parks, which will lead to decisions on the most appropriate use of the funds remaining in the IC Capital Campaign Fund. 4.4 ISOPod promote stewardship of our environment. Formerly known as the Sharkmobile, this mobile marine lab, partly funded by a generous grant from SC Edison, offers a unique experience bringing tidepools and sea life directly to children. The traveling exhibit is nearly complete and will be hitting the road by the end of the year to teach about our oceans an d The City of Newport Beach will offer a variety of fee -based educational program options, ideal for grades 1 -5, while the California Department of Fish & Wildlife will provide a limited number of free programs for Title I schools. NBC Volunteers are encouraged to complete the Tidepool Interpretive Program (TIP) Training to help City staff run the program. S. Priorities for 2015 Carrying forward the strategic priorities at the start of this report is very important to us. We need to continue to build links between the many agencies and nonprofits who can help develop a vision for the Bay around which we can all rally our collective efforts. Having a unifying plan for restoration around the Bay will enable us to collaborate with our partners more effectively in this critical activity. Fundraising also continues to be a top priority. 2013, although extremely difficult operationally as we existed for most of the year with no paid staff, did leave us in a healthy financial situation, due to a combination of low expenses and two generous individual donations. This has created funds that we have used to create an operational reserve and to invest in the staff needed to lead our fundraising efforts. Dedication of Donor Plaque - Vista Point We are now in the process of developing our fundraising plans in the areas of grants, corporate giving, membership development, and fundraising events. It is very encouraging to see a number of our volunteers on and off the Board stepping forward to help in this. Perhaps the single most important need is to proactively identify potential grant opportunities. A team led by Heather Cieslak has been researching this, and is taking the lead in creating grant applications. A special note of appreciation to Martha Wolf and Liz Grant who have taken the lead in this important area. Newport Bay Conservancy 2014 Annual Report We are also beginning to think about our upcoming 50a' anniversary, and how we should mark this milestone. We have connected with the UCI Special Collections archive to access their Frank and Frances Robinson and related archive materials. We also have many materials of historical interest that they are interested in potentially adding to their archive. There is a good book waiting to be written about the history of the campaign to save the Bay and the beginning of our organization! Finally, I should like to sincerely thank all of our dedicated volunteers and Friends without whose active support and hard work none of this would have been possible. Here's to an even more successful 2015. Howard Cork President of the Board, Newport Bay Conservancy October 25, 2014 Photos courtesy of Heather Cieslak, Howard Cork Holly Fuhrer, Russ Kerr, Agnes Tu, Jeanne Stein and Jessica Wigger. A Celebration of World Wetlands Day Symposium on Southern California's Wetlands Saturday, January 31 Back Bay Science Center In recognition of World Wetlands Day, the Conservancy will be holding a full day symposium on these critical and unique habitats. The event will include speakers from several of the major wetlands in Southern California, including our own Upper Newport Bay. These will cover success stories, threats and future challenges, and a chance to learn more about these remaining jewels of the natural world. There will also be docent -led field trips around and on the Bay, a poster exhibition featuring research and projects relating to wetlands, and (hopefully!) a photo competition. Visit our website, newportbay.org, for more details. Newport Bay To protect and preserve the Upper Newport Bay through education, restoration, research and advocacy Conservancy Tracks Winter, 2015 A Publication of the Newport Bay Conservancy Developing a Restoration Plan for Upper Newport Bay By Sarah Kimball, Board Member and Project Scientist, UCI Center for Environmental Biology The habitat in and around Upper Newport Bay has experienced many disturbances over the decades, including cattle and sheep grazing and salt mining. This history of impact, coupled with the arrival of non -native species from Europe and other parts of the globe, has resulted in a loss of native habitat. More recently, the Newport Bay Conservancy, in collaboration with the Coastal Commission's Community- Based Restoration Program, OC Parks, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the City of Newport Beach, and other agencies, have been involved in a number of restoration projects, aimed at removing non -native species and increasing native plant cover. These restoration efforts, largely carried -out by volunteers, have successfully restored many areas around the Bay, although much remains to be done. This year, the Conservancy's restoration committee decided that it would be helpful to develop a comprehensive plan for future restoration of the Bay. The plan will document past efforts and prioritize areas needing restoration in order to take full advantage of future volunteer and funding opportunities. The restoration committee met in April of 2014 and agreed that the best way to compile this information would be to conduct field visits around the Bay. Follow - up meetings were conducted to develop field trip itineraries and site assessment forms. Areas were evaluated according to the existing plant community (Coastal Sage Scrub, Grassland/ Prairie, riparian, salt marsh, marine, or non - native dominated), the stage of restoration (completed, ongoing active restoration, ongoing passive restoration, active restoration planned for the future, needs maintenance or needs active restoration), and the type of restoration if ongoing or completed (community -based or contractor- based). General notes on each site were included and areas were prioritized for future management. Site visits were conducted over two days, May 23rd and June 12th, and a third visit is planned for January. Habitat around the Bay gradually transitions from one community -type into another, with a ring of urban areas (housing, roads, and parks) surrounding protected open space. The fact that the Bay consists of a wide range of habitats which merge into one another is what makes it so special, but it also makes it difficult to distinguish distinct prioritized areas for management. For the purposes of describing what has been done and what management remains to be done, we have developed a map with named "regions" (see next page). Within each region, the restoration plan will describe each site, including the priority for future restoration. The Bayview region includes the northwest side of the Bay, including the area around the Bayview Trail, from Jamboree and the San Diego Creek to the Delhi channel. This region includes some successful restoration projects, such as the first ROOTS community -based effort to plant Coastal Sage Scrub shrubs east of the bike path. This past restoration site currently consists of mature Artemisia californica, Eriogonum fasciculatum, and Encelia californica, and provides habitat for Our intention is to develop, for the first time, a single, integrated plan for restoring and maintaining plant habitats. Developing a Restoration Plan for Upper Newport Bay (cont.) California gnatcatchers. In contrast, the area adjacent to the city park is an example of an unsuccessful effort; native shrubs were planted which initially established and grew well, but later died due to a combination of several years of drought and trampling by visitors. This area is currently being restored again, but we will need to carefully monitor visitation to the area to ensure the closure of unauthorized trails successfully provides newly established plants time to grow, and that the habitat is not destroyed again. Such problems could be ameliorated through the development of an official trail system throughout the Bay, with official trails clearly marked and unauthorized trails closed for restoration. The West Bluff region includes the west side of the Bay, including the area around the Muth Interpretive Center and along Irvine Ave., from the Delhi channel to the end of the Bayview Trail at Santiago Rd. There have been some very successful restoration projects in this area, primarily due to CC Parks "Second Sunday" volunteer efforts, but also other projects. There are also some highly degraded areas in this region, such as the mustard fields along Irvine Ave. The Constellation area provides an interesting example of the urban - wildland interface, in which ornamental species from neighboring yards often escape into the natural area, out - competing native species. One successful project in the Constellation area is maintained by Early College High School, in Costa Mesa. This restored habitat currently consists of high native cover, but surrounding areas need some maintenance. The San Joaquin region consists of the area east of Back Bay Drive, from Shellmaker Island to Big Canyon. This area includes the Newport Valley restoration project, an example of successful community-based restoration. Volunteers propagated many of the native shrubs in the nursery at the Back Bay Science Center for planting in Newport Valley. Back Bay Regions O Back Bay New Park \ \' BayNew - Big Canyon a �' Castaways _ East Shift OGalaxy Hotdog Island _ Middle Island - New Island - = New Tern Island � r\ Y San Diego Creek ' ( I OSan Joaquin Shellmaker Island - Tern Island o Y .% Waal Flat --'–' ti - Upper Island y (f Q West Bluff \� I Ion t I I I I Regular community-based events with teams of supervised volunteers have been critical to planting and maintaining the site. Big Canyon, east of Back Bay Drive, consists of riparian area dominated by non -native Schinus terebinthifolius (peppertree) and Myoporum laetum. The City of Newport Beach has contracted Irvine Ranch Conservancy to conduct restoration in this area, and their initial efforts have included some removal of non -native species and planting of a few areas with natives. One remaining uncertainty includes the ponds, constructed in the 1980's, that have high concentrations of selenium. Naturally occurring selenium in the soil is exposed by excessive irrigation, leaving agencies uncertain how to restore the mouth of Big Canyon. We are just beginning to develop this restoration plan, and do not attempt to include descriptions of all sites here. Our intention is to develop, for the first time, a single, integrated plan for restoring and maintaining plant habitats throughout the open space surrounding the Bay. This will need to be regularly revisited and updated to reflect changing conditions. Our evaluation of past and on -going restoration projects, as well as the identification of potential future restoration sites, will allow NBC to coordinate volunteer and cross- agency efforts and would enable us to apply for necessary permits in advance of planned active restoration projects. Bayview Restoration Begins By Peter Fuhrer The long awaited Bayview Restoration Project is finally underway. The project is designed to restore native vegetation to two areas of the Upper Newport Bay that have undergone significant degradation in recent years due to the encroachment of non -native plants and grasses and to overuse of unauthorized trails. The area to be restored is part of what is known as the Bayview Slope and extends from the Delhi Channel eastwards along the north shore of the Bay to Jamboree Road and includes property owned by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), CC Parks and the City of Newport Beach. The project is supported by grants from the Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project, US Fish and Wildlife Service, REI, Newport Bay Conservancy (NBC), and generous donations from the Orbach Family and the estate of Terry Walter Guinn. The habitats to be restored are mainly coastal sage scrub and native grassland in the Upper Bayview area and coastal sage scrub and upper salt marsh along the shoreline of the Bay in the Lower Bayview area. The project activities include: • installation of temporary fencing to close off unauthorized trails and restrict access to restoration areas • eradication of nonnative invasive plants and installation of appropriate native vegetation • installation of temporary erosion control measures • temporary irrigation of the replanted sites At the junction of the two asphalt trails that pass through the project, an attractive interpretive area will be created as part of this project. In addition to the existing bulletin kiosk, a new bench will be installed along with permanent interpretive panels that will showcase the new design standards for outdoor displays around the Bay. Landscaping with native plants will be performed to provide some separation from the foot, bike and other traffic at this intersection. NBC volunteer stewards will do the landscaping design and installation. The project was planned by NBC with assistance from CDFW, CC Parks and the City. The major restoration work will be supervised and performed by Endemic Environmental Services, a local specialist environmental consultancy. Planting, watering and monitoring will be conducted by volunteers and NBC Stewards over a three to five year period. Below: Shaded regions show areas included in restoration efforts. Above: Planting has begun! Stewards Days: Join us on Wednesdays from 9-1 lam at the Back Bay Science Center to help in our native plant nursery or join a team on one of our restoration sites in the Bay. Contact myurko@coastal.ca.gov or call on 949 - 640-0286. ROOTS Restoration Program: Fourth Saturday each month (2nd Saturday in December to avoid Holidays), 9am -12pm. Restore some of the valuable habitats around the Bay. FREE, all ages (under 14 w /adult, under 18 w/ parent consent). Reservation Line: 949- 640 -0286 or myurko @coastal.ca.gov. Second Sundays: Join OC Parks on the 2nd Sunday of each month, 9am -12pm. Help to restore valuable habitats around the Bay. FREE, all ages (under 16 w /adult). Reservation Line: 949 - 923 -2275 or unbic @ocparks.com. During a 7-foot high tide, a pair of rails carry a small chick across a flooded stretch of marsh, keeping it safe and dry. Photos by Russ Kerr Reservation Line: 949 - 923 -2269. Back Bay Drive Nature Walks: 1st Saturday of each month, 9am- 11 am. Start at Shellmaker Island for a walk along Back Bay Drive to observe birds and plants. The side channel along the walk is a perfect place to spot shorebirds, waterfowl and other lovely creatures. FREE, all ages. Big Canyon Bird & Plant Program: 3rd Saturday of each month, 9am -11am. Go on a short walk to discover an area where several habitats meet. A great introduction to the birds and plants of the Bay, led by knowledgeable Naturalists. FREE, all ages. Big Canyon Bird Walk: Last Sunday of each month except December, 8am. This 2 -3 hour hike is guided by one of our bird experts. FREE, all ages. A New Name for the Most Endangered Resident in the Bay Dick Zembal NBC Board Member and Natural Resources Director, OC Water District The Light- footed Clapper Rail (Rallus longirostris levipes) is one of the signature species of Upper Newport Bay. This bird is a state- and federally - listed endangered species, a secretive resident of the coastal wetlands in southern California and northern Baja, California, Mexico. Our rail, along with both of the other large rails of the western U.S. has been reclassified taxonomically based upon a recent genetic study and renamed by the American Ornithologist Union, the Ridgway's Rail, Rallus obsoletus (Chesser et al. 2014). The common name for our southern California subspecies should soon be formally and legally adopted by the wildlife agencies in recognition of this taxonomic and nomenclatural change. The Light- footed Clapper Rail will then be called the Light- footed Ridgway's Rail, R. obsoietus levipes. I have done spring surveys of the Clapper Rail, excuse me, Ridgway's Rail annually since 1979 and for the third year in a row the California population is at record level and exceeded 500 breeding pairs. A total of 528 pairs exhibited breeding behavior in 21 marshes in 2014. The tally at Upper Newport Bay was the highest ever recorded at 222 pairs. The Newport subpopulation was, as always, the largest in California and along with the Tijuana Marsh subpopulation of 75 breeding pairs together accounted for nearly 60% of the breeding population of this keystone subspecies in southern California. This is in large part due to effective management of our remaining coastal wetlands and their avian populations including captive breeding of these rails at Sea World and the San Diego Zoo's Safari Park. Corporate Social Responsibility Spotlight: Saint - Gobain Celebrating International Environment, Health and Safety Day at the Bay By Heather Cieslak Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the act in which companies take responsibility for their effects on the environment and impact on social welfare. Some companies pride themselves on being eco- conscious while others cherish having a healthy work/ life balance for their employees. Saint - Gobain is one of those organizations that take CSR very seriously. Saint- Gobain is a global manufacturer and distributor of flat glass, building products, glass containers and high - performance materials. Every October, Saint - Gobain employees in Garden Grove join the 197,000 employees the company has in 64 countries world wide to celebrate the importance of the protection of the environment as well as health and safety in the workplace. Each year they focus on a theme; hosting health fairs, sponsoring speakers on earthquake safety, fire hazards, and effects of driving while intoxicated. The goal of the day is to spread awareness of social issues. Being in such a serious drought in Southern California, Saint - Gobain decided to put its focus this year on water. Saint - Gobain took the day off and spent time at the Upper Newport Bay to gain awareness of water and water conservation. On October 7, nearly 200 of their 240 local employees spent the day on the water, touring the Bay on outrigger canoes or spending time at the Peter and Mary Muth Center with a combination of a lecture, walking tour and water quality testing. "What wonderful volunteers with such a depth of knowledge and dedication," exclaimed Ilene M. Young, Office Support Specialist, as she listened to one of NBC's Naturalists explain what effects people and their behavior have on the quality of our water supply. Saint- Gobain's machinists, customer service representatives, engineers and accountants, stood side by side as they learned what they can do to improve the quality of water in our community. Even though we have been successful in conserving water, there is a lot more that can be done. Saint- Gobain s employees are more informed to make better decisions, but there are thousands more in our watershed that can be better informed. For more information about our water and the Newport Bay watershed visit our website, www.newportbay.org. Saint- Gobain's machinists, customer service representatives, engineers and accountants, stood side by side as they learned what they can do to improve the quality of water in our community. Lane tackling some of the more than 1200 invasives he's dug out during the past 3 seasons. To help feed the local Black Phoebe population Bill has begun a mealworm Jam in his garage. Meet Our Hard - working Volunteers By Kathy Kort Lane Koluvek Lane Koluvek and his wife of 48 years, Linda, are a walking, talking history book of the Upper Newport Bay and its volunteer movement. Lane first came upon the Bay while wandering around Back Bay in 1959 and it has been a part of his life since that first discovery. According to Lane, at that time you could drive your car across the salt dike. He became more familiar with the Bay when he mapped the area for a field geology course at Orange Coast College. Although Lane didn't always live near the Bay he visited often. When he and Linda married they moved into the area. It was Linda who first joined Friends of Newport Bay and the Robinsons' effort to stop development around the Back Bay and soon after Lane became involved with the group. Lane was president of Friends of Newport Bay for 10 years. During that time one of his responsibilities was to organize and lead the Friends tours on Back Bay Drive. He remembers one tour in particular —it was pouring rain and a tent was set up at Vista Point with a large crowd huddled under it as he spoke for more than an hour. According to Lane, not one person left, people were so hungry to learn about the Bay then. In 2000, Friends of Newport Bay and Upper Newport Bay Naturalists combined forces to create the organization now known as Newport Bay Conservancy. Lane was the William "Bill" Halladay "It's really affecting my golf game," Bill said. "Instead of planning my next approach I'm looking and listening for Black Phoebes and Red - winged blackbirds." William "Bill" Halladay, 64, retired two years ago from a successful career as a Creative Director. He and his wife Becky have been married for almost 40 years. They have three sons and have lived in Corona Del Mar for 25 years. Bill never knew how much the Upper Newport Bay had to offer until he took a Newport Bay Conservancy walking tour at Shellmaker Island. That's when NBC naturalist Betsy Flynn piqued his interest in bird identification. The more he teamed the first president of the combined organization. He was instrumental in establishing the conservancy as a 501(c)3 not for profit corporation. Lane has retired from administrative work for NBC but hasn't stopped his volunteer efforts in ousting the non - natives, plants that is. He grew up a farm boy in the inland empire and was accustomed to hard work. His mother, an amateur botanist, knew her three acres of vegetables, flowers and plants by their Latin names. Lane was well acquainted with the weeds in those gardens as he spent most weekends pulling them. According to Lane he hated weeding those gardens but he seems to have come full circle to his boyhood chores. Three days a week you can find him somewhere around the Upper Bay ridding it of non -native and invasive plants. It's hard to get Lane to accept credit for the work he does for the Bay. He claims he needs the exercise and the Bay needs the restoration, in the end they both benefit. He describes himself as 'a lazy guy', but if removing more than 1200 invasive plants over three seasons is being lazy, the rest of us are in trouble. "If you like or enjoy nature and want to sustain it, get involved. Pick an area within an area and put your efforts into it.' Lane advised. "Its amazing what a group of people can accomplish. Even limited success is great success." more important the birds, the Bay and the ecological reserve became to him. In the past seven months since the walking tour, Bill has completed the NBC volunteer course, the OC Parks training and is in this year's Naturalist training program with 14 other volunteers. Bill has spent time volunteering at the front desk and acting as sweep on the kayak tours but most of his volunteer hours have been with Dr. Peter Bryant's zooplankton research project. While working with Dr. Bryant has been extremely rewarding, Bill said, what he has enjoyed the most is meeting the people at NBC. Looking Back and Moving Forward As another year comes to a close we can look back with some satisfaction on the past 12 months. Our regular programs, especially our docent -led kayak and outrigger tours, have seen a significant increase in numbers. The annual events we either lead or support with our partners at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, OC Parks, the City of Beach and the Coastal Commi; Community -Based Restoratior were all well- attended and enj enormously by those participa include Earth Day, Estuary Am Day and Coastal Clean-Up Da saw over 800 school students, volunteer teams, scout groups helping to clear trash from am The Conservancy provided 50 to supervise the activities. As we go to press we are starting the Bayview site restoration project, which had been delayed pending permitting. This will restore native habitat to a 2 -acre site below Mesa Drive in an area which has become badly eroded and in some areas is almost completely bare of vegetation. We are also about to begin installation of a major new exhibit at the Muth Interpretive Center which is largely funded by a generous donation from the Hausman Foundation. The exhibit will illustrate the wide range of habitats — marine and terrestrial — which exist in and around the Bay. It will contain live specimens of the sharks and rays which live in the Bay! We also held a re- dedication ceremony at Vista Point, commemorating the campaign to save the Bay nearly 50 years ago led by Frank and Frances Robinson. A donor plaque was unveiled recognizing the generous donations which helped to make the Vista Point viewpoint possible. Like everyone in the region, we are hoping for at least a normal (what IS that these days ?) rainy season through the winter. Those of you who spend time hiking and biking around the Bay will know that much of the vegetation is looking even more brown and dessicated than usual at this time of year. It is worth noting that, despite the record - breaking drought, our local plants are extremely hardy and are managing to survive by shutting -down their systems, shedding their leaves and going into a state known as dormancy. This is part of their normal cycle of life. We expect most to recover as soon as rain arrives, although inevitably some will be lost. Even in the restoration sites around the Bay, plants put in the ground 12 months ago are coping well on hand - watering with less than one gallon of water once each month. Many thanks to all those whose support, financial and otherwise, enables us to continue what we do. A special thank you to the over 100 volunteers who contributed their time and expertise through the year. Once again we logged over 10,000 hours of service during the year. Happy Holidays, Howard Cork Kayak Tours: Saturday and Sunday mornings 10am -12pm. Join a guided tour to learn about the Bay from the water. $25 /person, ages 8 +. Reservations: 949 - 923 -2269 Back Bay Science Center Community Day: Every Sunday from 10am -2pm. Talk to staff and volunteers about research and restoration projects. Tide pool, touch tanks and more! FREE, all ages, no reservations needed. 600 Shellmaker Rd. Newport Bay PO Box 10804 L,-" Newport Beach, CA J � 92658 Return service requested. Conservancy Prefer to receive Tracks electronically? Let us know via Newportbayorg! NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID NEWPORT BEACH, CA PERMIT NO. 412 Newport Bay Conservancy: www.newportbay.org Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Back Bay Science Center (BBSC) Newport Aquatic Center (NAC) Center (!C) 600 Shellmaker 1 Whitecliffs Drive 2301 University Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660 Newport Beach, CA 92660 Newport Beach, CA 92660 www.backbaysciencecenter.org www.newportaquaticcenteccom www.ocparks.com/parks/newport Design & Layout. Jim Cakas, Debora Brown, cover photo © Jim Cokas Printed an FSC certified payer with IOq yost- consumer aak, A New Coyote Joins Our Tours By Kathy Kort Naturalist Betsy Flynn arrived at the Back Bay Science Center for the monthly Shellmaker Island tour she co -leads with Uyen Tran and discovered the star of the tour, a stuffed coyote, had been loaned out to another organization. She was not a happy guide that day. Betsy was determined that such an important piece of the tour never be absent again. At the suggestion of Robin Madrid, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, she contacted Mr. C. Richard Hearn of STARCARE Associates, as he had previously donated to the educational program and had also been a guest on one of Betsy's tours. Richard immediately agreed to cover the cost of procuring another stuffed coyote to be used only on the Shellmaker Island tours — with the condition that he would not have to do the stuffing. To Betsys delight, the Newport Beach Animal Control had a coyote in custody that was in excellent condition in their freezer. In a great collaboration effort the CDFW, City of Newport Beach, and NBC the coyote was delivered to Igor the taxidennist for stuffing and mounting. "Coyote" can be viewed at the Back Bay Science Center, his new and permanent home. Once a month he is released in the salt marsh as star of the tour. Thank you Richard and STARCARE Associates! lunteer: We are always looking folks to help in a. number of ys from restoration to research marketing. Contact Jeanne ain, Volunteer Coordinator, at ?- 923 -2296 or Jeanne.Stein@ a Friends Member! • Your tax - deductible donation helps us fund our education, restoration and research programs around the Bay. • Enjoy membership discounts at NBC's gift store and on kayak tours • Gift memberships available Remittance envelope included, or - ontact Heather Cieslak, Operations Director, at 949 -640 -1751 or 4eather.Cieslak@newportbay.org. NBC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation. Thank you for support. About Us We are the single organization focused exclusively on the conservation and restoration ofUpperNewport Bay —one of the most precious natural resources in Southern California. We are a member - driven non -profit corporation whose passionate and talented Naturalists have contributed over 100,000 hours of volunteer service at the Bay. Clockwise from left. Naturalist training class; Community-based Restoration event; Docent -led kayak tour. We make a difference by: preserving the natural beauty and accessibility of the Bay so you can enjoy kayaking, jogging, biking, birdwatching, plein air painting and other activities that help you reconnect with nature. • removinginvasivevegetationandreplacmgitwithnative plants to improve the Bay's vital habitats, allowing the endangered species and indigenous wildlife to thrive. • reducing pollution resulting from surface water runoff in our watershed that impacts the health of the Upper Bay, the Lower Bay and the local beaches — important recreational resources. • conducting important research and monitoring so that the Bay and the Watershed can be managed effectively and sustainably for the benefit of all. • educating the public about the important role the Bay plays in their lives. • instilling a lifelong sense of environmental steward- ship that extends beyond the Bay. Upper Newport Bay ,1 Unique California Treasure Upper Newport Bay is an estuary—a coastal wetland where salt water from the Pacific Ocean mixes with nutrient -rich fresh water from inland sources. It is the largest of only a few remaining natural estuaries in Southern California, with over one square mile of protected tidelands and uplands in the heart of Newport Beach. The Upper Bay is an important rest stop and/or winter home for birds migrating from Canada and Alaska, and up to 30,000 birds can be seen here on any day during the winter months. During the spring and summer many year -round residents and birds migrating from the south nest here. These include the endangered light- footed clapper rail and California least tern. In all roughly 200 species of birds are found here. The Bay is also a spawning ground and nursery for many commercial and sport fish, including halibut and bass. The Upper Bay also plays a major part in protecting the infrastructure of the Lower Bay and the beaches of Newport Beach. Newport Bay Watershed Where the Ocean Begins An area of approximately 154 square miles of urban Orange County drains through the Upper Bay to the Lower Bay and then out to the ocean. Surface water runoff from this watershed brings with it trash, toxic chemicals and other less obvious pollutants including fertilizers, bacteria, and sediment. Excess fertilizer can cause algae blooms— prolif- erations of both large seaweed mats and microscopic plant plankton —which can eventually lead to oxygen depletion in the water, causing marine life to die. High levels of bacteria in the water lead to health warnings and beach closures, impacting tourism and local recreational use. The diligent, long -term efforts of the Newport Bay Conservancy and other organizations to protect the fragile ecosystem of the Upper Bay have resulted in improved water quality for both the Upper Bay and the Lower Bay. These efforts will continue to pay dividends for the health of the Lower Bay and with it the health of Newport Beach as a prestigious coastal Newport Bay Conservancy Protecting the Bav We trace our heritage back to 1967 when a group of citizens founded the Friends of Newport Bay. They wanted to call attention to the ecological importance of the Bay and enlist support for the protection of the Bay in its relatively natural state. The Friends was at the forefront of environmental education, conducting nature tours starting in late 1968 and still given today. In 2000, the Friends merged with the Upper Newport Bay Naturalists to form the Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends. Our organization has grown greatly in stature, and in 2010 the membership elected to change the name to the Newport Bay Conservancy. We organize community -based native habitat restoration and other service activities to involve the public and local businesses in the stewardship of the Bay. We also undertake major conservation projects. We conduct environmental education programs and nature tours for school and college groups and for the general public to enhance their knowledge and appreciation of the Bay and increase their awareness of the role they play in protecting the environment. We perform habitat and wildlife monitoring, scientific research and analysis, and other activities to help manage the Bay better. We help facilitate the integrated management of water and natural resources within our watershed, working collaboratively with over 100 municipal and regulatory agencies and other organizations. j With your support we can expand our ability to devise and implement sustainable, cost - effective solutions to watershed problems. We will take on innovative programs and projects that are important to UNB and strive to execute them with the passionate dedication P of a volunteer- driven organization. V Come visit Upper Newport Bay and enjoy its scenic beauty as you hike, ride, drive or venture out into its tranquil waters in a kayak or canoe. Watch shorebirds probing for worms and clams in the mudflats, and fiddler crabs scurrying along the water's edge. Admire brown pelicans gliding over the open water and terns hovering before diving for fish. Upper Newport Bay —the Back Bay as it is endearingly known to those who live nearby —is one of Orange County's hidden gems. However, it is more than a place of great natural beauty. It is the largest of only a few remaining natural estuaries in southern California. abundance of wildlife including nearly 200 species of birds. from Canada and Alaska and up to 30,000 birds can be seen here on any day ♦Burrowing owl during the winter months. During the spring and summer many year -round ♦ Lang - billed curlew residents and birds migrating from the south nest here. These include the endangered light- footed clapper rail and California least tern. and sport fishes, including halibut and bass. There are even sharks and rays found here. Many mammals, including coyotes and bobcats, also make the Enjoy your visit, but please do your best to protect the sensitive designated paths, keep dogs on leash, and obey the rules of the Ecological rve. When you return home, remember that the ocean begins at your front door. Reduce, reuse and recycle. Dispose of trash properly. Avoid oil on driveways. Minimize pesticide and fertilizer use around your house and garden. All these pollutants are washed into the and ocean marine life refuges. If we all do our part, we can keep IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS Nature Tour and Program Information Peter And Mary Muth Interpretive Center Back Bay Science Center Community -Based Restoration Volunteering Memberships and Donations California Department of Fish and Wildlife Warden Newport Beach Animal Control Water Quality Concerns WEB SITES www.newportbay.org www.backbaysciencerenter.org (949) 640 -6746 (949) 923 -2290 (949) 640 -9958 (949) 640 -0286 (949) 923 -2269 (949) 923 -2296 (888) 334 -2258 (949) 644 -3717 (949) 644 -3215 www.ocparks.com /uppernewportbay www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/UNBweb/cbrep.htmi www.newportaquatiecenter.com www.newporidunes.com www.dfg.ca.gov Newport Bay L• I fi CALIRORNIA COASTAL C o m m I S S I O N Conservancy O�.�Y ovp�• x '9 <IFOI�T�� PhoW ccedns: Russ Kerc (ma]es[yofbGds.mm), JenNfec Neegete, D.k Newell, lace Philllpsend Roger Mahe¢ 1.wd on Ihcyded Paper I Design by Debora Bemm 1 0 NBNF 2011 Upper Newport Bay Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve, managed by the Califor- nia Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, occupies an area of over a square mile of wetlands and open water stretching inland about three miles from the Back Bay Science Center. Roughly a quarter of a square mile of surrounding uplands make up the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve managed by OC Parks. Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center This 10,000 square foot OC Parks facility located at 2301 University Avenue, Newport Beach 92660 is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. -4 p.m. at no charge. School, scout and family programs are conducted here. Additional open space is managed by the City of Newport Beach. A walk, ride or drive along Back Bay Drive (one way headed north) provides one long scenic vista. Stop by the Interpretive Center, learn about the history, ecology and wildlife of the Bay from New- port Bay Conservancy volunteers, and obtain trail maps, birding lists and other helpful materials. a a � m � m 'o g a � lL .tea Q° m� hst�P P Newport Aquatic Center Naturalist—led kayak tours into the Reserve start here at 10 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday morning year-round. School outrigger canoe programs also conducted here weekdays. Located at 1 Whitecliffs Drive, Newport Beach 92660. For information and reservations call (949) 923 -2269. Lido Isle 55 v Pam oe1 S'an Diego Creek /� •., , 3 ! viiiiiiiiiiII f 4. 0 University of �alifornia Irvine Costa _- Mesa b 't, o �. �� �Yj1 Irvin ♦ej `73 Y j% fI U T ', _ 491 � New y Ir Beacf� Several endangered species of bird nest in Upper Newport Balboa �' Island Bay. They are easily frightened and their natural habitat is t� very delicate and easily damaged. Please stay out of the marsh. Respect signs. Walk, bike or horseback ride only on designated trails or paths. Dogs must be kept on leashes of no more than 6 ft. at all times. yf Relax and take in the view at this rest stop located at the uppermost part of the Bay. There are interpretive plaques of the Bay and sight scopes for birding. See the diverse plants, birds and other wildlife of six distinct habitats as you take a self - guided tour on a'h mile nature trail starting at the Big Canyon parking lot on Back Bay Drive. Back Bay Science Center This 13,000 square foot research -based education facility built through a partnership of the California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, City of Newport Beach, OC Health Care Agency and UC Irvine is located at 600 Shellmaker, Newport Beach 92660. Access is restricted to participants in school, scout and other organized programs and events. A permit is required to operate any motorized boat in the Reserve. Kayaking, canoeing and rowing are allowed but only in the main channel and within the posted boating limit. Launch and land only at the Newport Aquatic Center (Northstar Beach) or the Newport Dunes. Pam oe1 S'an Diego Creek /� •., , 3 ! viiiiiiiiiiII f 4. 0 University of �alifornia Irvine Costa _- Mesa b 't, o �. �� �Yj1 Irvin ♦ej `73 Y j% fI U T ', _ 491 � New y Ir Beacf� Several endangered species of bird nest in Upper Newport Balboa �' Island Bay. They are easily frightened and their natural habitat is t� very delicate and easily damaged. Please stay out of the marsh. Respect signs. Walk, bike or horseback ride only on designated trails or paths. Dogs must be kept on leashes of no more than 6 ft. at all times. yf Relax and take in the view at this rest stop located at the uppermost part of the Bay. There are interpretive plaques of the Bay and sight scopes for birding. See the diverse plants, birds and other wildlife of six distinct habitats as you take a self - guided tour on a'h mile nature trail starting at the Big Canyon parking lot on Back Bay Drive. Back Bay Science Center This 13,000 square foot research -based education facility built through a partnership of the California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, City of Newport Beach, OC Health Care Agency and UC Irvine is located at 600 Shellmaker, Newport Beach 92660. Access is restricted to participants in school, scout and other organized programs and events. A permit is required to operate any motorized boat in the Reserve. Kayaking, canoeing and rowing are allowed but only in the main channel and within the posted boating limit. Launch and land only at the Newport Aquatic Center (Northstar Beach) or the Newport Dunes.