Features
January 14 & 28 and February 11 & 25
Volunteer to remove trash to help wildlife! We will also be planting native plants. Click on the link below for info on how to sign up.
Facebook Event List
Tour the Salt Ponds: January 22 & Feb 11
Your chance to go behind the scenes at South Bay Salt Works, within the refuge. Discover winter migrating birds with the SD Audubon Society!
San Diego Audubon website
SoCal Urban Refuge Project Impact Report
See our successes from the $1 M per year SoCal Urban Wildlife Refuge Project!
SoCal Urban Wildlife Refuge Project Report 2014-15
Discover Nature App
We have a new GPS-based app in both English and Spanish! Download it on iTunes/Google Play, then play in two different areas of South Bay!
How to download and play
On the Sweetwater Marsh Unit
The Living Coast Discovery Center is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit organization, and runs in partnership with the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Visitors can enjoy environmental education programs and view live animals.
Learn more about the Nature CenterAbout the Complex
The San Diego NWR Complex manages diverse wildlife and their habitats on four Refuges: Tijuana Slough NWR, San Diego Bay NWR, San Diego NWR, and Seal Beach NWR.
San Diego Bay is managed as part of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
Learn more about the complex About the NWRS
The National Wildlife Refuge System, within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, manages a national network of lands and waters set aside to conserve America’s fish, wildlife, and plants.
Learn more about the NWRS
WHATS NEW
October 21, 2016The draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for the Otay River Estuary Restoration Project (ORERP) is ready for your input! This 125-acre project is partial mitigation for the Carlsbad Desalination Plant. The DEIS public comment period has been extended until December 30.
Otay River Estuary Restoration Project
October 20, 2016San Diego Gas & Electric and the US Fish & Wildlife Service received the Mayor's Neighborhood Revitalization Award for the D Street Fill Wetlands Restoration Project completed earlier in 2016.
The Mayor of Chula Vista, Mary Casillas Salas, presented the plaques to SDG&E and the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Mayor Salas spoke fondly about her childhood and exploring the marshlands of south San Diego Bay. The event was wonderful and Channel 10 reporter Joe Little was the emcee.
"Many thanks to all that assisted in the completion of this project, especially Vicki Touchstone and Brian Collins for their hard work and cooperation in the planning and design for this project” – Andy Yuen, Project Leader.
Photo of Award Plaque
September 27, 2016For the past 6 decades, Light-footed Ridgway's rails (previously called clapper rails) haven't been able to call the southwestern area of San Diego Bay home. Now, thanks to a restoration project completed in 2011, the salt marsh has recovered enough to support the rails again. Six of them were released onto the refuge this week, with five fitted with satellite telemetry so scientists can monitor their movements. Check out our Open Spaces blog for the story, and live video.
Open Spaces: Endangered Rails Released in San Diego
Belding's Savannah Sparrow
Belding's savannah sparrow is a State and Federally protected bird. It is a rare subspecies of the Savannah sparrow, however it is common on the marshes of San Diego Bay, and the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge. It is distinguished from the Savannah sparrow by having heavier and darker streaking, and a smaller beak profile.
Page Photo Credits — Elegant tern chicks on June 28, 2015 by Robert Patton
Last Updated: Jan 06, 2017