Bair Island should not be confused with Bear Island (disambiguation).
| Bair Island State Marine Park | |
| Iucn Category: | V |
| Map: | San Francisco Bay Area#California#USA |
| Map Width: | 220 |
| Location: | San Francisco Bay |
| Nearest City: | Redwood City, California |
| Coordinates: | 37.5299°N -122.2222°W |
| Area Acre: | 3398 |
| Established: | 1986 |
| Governing Body: | US Fish and Wildlife Service, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge |
Bair Island is a marsh area in Redwood City, California, covering, and includes three islands: Inner, Middle and Outer islands.[1] Bair Island is part of the larger Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge.[2] It is surrounded by the Steinberger slough to the northwest and Redwood Creek to the southeast.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Bair Island Ecological Reserve consists of [1] on the Middle and Outer islands, although the entire island group is managed by the Refuge. Bair Island is an important ecological wetland,[3] which provides critical habitat for a variety of species, including the endangered California clapper rail and the Salt marsh harvest mouse, and is an important stop for birds on the Pacific Flyway.[4] Bair Island is bisected by Corkscrew Slough, a major haul-out site for harbor seals (Phoca vitulina).[5]
Bair Island is the largest undeveloped island in the San Francisco Bay and was used for farming, grazing and salt production since the 19th century.[6] A residential development called South Shores had been proposed to build a housing estate with 4000 houses on the marshland. It was approved by the Redwood City council, but a citizens referendum narrowly defeated the project in 1982 by just 44 votes.[7] [6] The Peninsula Open Space Trust purchased the property in 1996 and deeded the site to be part of the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge,[8] and the Bair Island Ecological Reserve was established in 1997.[4] In 2013, a pedestrian bridge was opened to connect to trails around the island to allow access to the naturally restored wetlands.[9] In 2017, tour guides began leading pedestrians on the trails and showing the effects of wetland restoration.[10] Some species that have flourished since the restoration are the California Ridgway's rail, pickleweed, and pelicans.[11]