Elkhorn Slough Reserve, California

Location: The reserve is located 3.5 miles east of Moss Landing. Total Acreage: 1,400 Designation: 1979 Lead State Agency: California Department of Fish and Game Mailing Address: Elkhorn Slough Reserve 1700 Elkhorn Road Watsonville, CA 95076 Phone: 831-728-2822

Elkhorn Slough is one of the relatively few coastal wetlands remaining in California. The main channel of the slough, which winds inland nearly seven miles, is flanked by a broad salt marsh second in size in California only to San Francisco Bay.

The reserve lands also include oak woodlands, grasslands and freshwater ponds that provide essential coastal habitats that support a great diversity of native organisms and migratory animals.

More than 400 species of invertebrates, 80 species of fish and 200 species of birds have been identified in Elkhorn Slough. The channels and tidal creeks of the slough are nurseries for many species of fish.

At least six threatened or endangered species utilize the slough or its surrounding uplands, including peregrine falcons, Santa Cruz long-toed salamanders, California red-legged frogs, brown pelicans, least terns and sea otters.

Additionally, the slough is on the Pacific Flyway, providing an important feeding and resting ground for many types of migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. The slough and surrounding habitat are renowned for its outstanding birding opportunities.