Birds migrating, trees and flowers spreading seeds and pollen everywhere, frogs and fishes diving in the wetlands, coastal dunes being shaped by the wind while mixing with forest, and the water going in and out the bay like a long breath. Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge in northwest California is a stone for the world where different habitats link to each other creating a complex biodiversity mosaic. As this landscape was strongly disrupted by agricultural development in the late 1800s, only 10% of the salt marshes remain. But as scientists have recognized their importance and the ecological value it represents, wetlands and marshes have gained attention and legacy acts have been established to conserve these unique resources.

Wetlands and marshes are known to be one of the most productive habitats worldwide, attracting all kinds of animals including birds, one of the groups with the farthest migratory patterns registered crossing from one hemisphere to another. One example of this is “The Pacific Flyway”, an aerial pathway used for migratory birds which cross from north Alaska to Mexico, and Humboldt Bay NWR plays an important role as a “gas station” for these species. As we do, birds need fuel and rest to persist in long travels, and wetlands and marshes are the perfect spots as they provide shelter and food resources to our travelers.

As I continue learning about the refuge complexity, more I understand how connected the ecosystems are, but also how fragile it is. While continuing to work on restoration projects and submerging in conservation strategies, I realized that the Anthropocene is a huge footprint on the planet and in some cases irreversible, but if we change our lifestyle and we start to adopt a new philosophy where nature is the main goal, we could maintain our planet in a sustainable phase, however, more action for governments is required. As an environmental educator intern at the refuge, I see how communication, interaction, and education are key factors to succeed in conservation efforts, engaging communities to become part of the solution, and using nature as an opportunity for human and economic development. Nature is a matter that concerns all of us, is all we know, all we have, no matter what our interests are, we are all connected in the circle of life, and taking care of each other is the key to making this planet a better place.

Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Program: US Fish & Wildlife Service

Location: Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex