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Friends of the Estuary

History:

Friends of the Estuary, was established by the Estuary project Management Committee in May 1991 and was incorporated as a 501 ©)(3) non-profit in 1992. Friend’s Board of Directors consists of environmental, business, industry, state and local government, and agency representatives, elected officials and other community members. Friend’s Board meets quarterly. Staff support is provided by the Estuary through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a memorandum of understanding with the SF Bay Regional Water Control Board. Friends is dedicated to protecting, restoring and enhancing the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary.

Mission:

To protect, restore, and enhance the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary, Friends of the Estuary assists in implementing the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). Friends carries out its mission through advocacy, education, outreach, and helping to integrate the various efforts in the estuary through information sharing and collaboration to ensure the CCMP is the guiding document for these efforts. Efforts include the following:

• Monitoring and reporting on implementation results and performance of the CCMP, the blueprint to restore and maintain the integrity of the San Francisco Bay and Delta.
• Supporting the San Francisco Estuary Project’s work programs and goals.
• Providing environmental education activities to the public, concerning, but not limited to maintenance and restoration of the San Francisco Estuary. Friends’ activities include teacher training, school programs, workshops, and distribution of reports, newsletters and other informational materials.
• Providing technical watershed education and training; participating in on-the-ground habitat restoration partnerships; and assisting other environmental organizations by acting as a fiduciary agent.

Education and Outreach:

Friend’s Education Program has provided outreach, field sessions, educator workshops, interpretive/instructional materials and on-the-ground projects. Friend’s Education program has been funded entirely through grants and contracts.

• Partners with and provides fiscal support for the San Francisco Estuary Project’s “State of the Estuary” Conference.
• Provides fiscal support for this biennial conference that is an opportunity for scientists, managers, interest groups and the public to share the latest scientific about the estuary.
• Presents the CCMP Implementation Awards at the State of the Estuary Conference for exemplary projects that implement the CCMP
• Partners with the Estuary Project to sponsor the quarterly newsletter, ESTUARY
• Provided Inserts on Watersheds for the June 2006 and December 2006 issues.
• Sponsors Erosion control workshops.
• Sponsors Stormwater Workshops.
• Published Stream Protection Guidelines.
• Assists with publication of public education materials, erosion control booklet, "Start at the Source,” Invasive Species materials, and Safe Boating materials

Education/Outreach/Coordination/Restoration:

• Sponsored Regional Sub-Committees for the Delta, North and South Bays focused on facilitating wetland restoration projects in the estuary. The Delta In-Channl Island project was completed under this umbrella.
• Participated in establishment of the Watershed Assessment Resolute Center, with Merrit College
• Facilitated the development of an Alameda County Watershed Forum.
• Partnered with Golden Gate Audubon Society on the Eco Oakland Program to provide teacher training about the bay and watershed ecology, and habitat restoration including invasive plant eradication and native plant propagation at MLK Shoreline Park.
• Assisted with habitat enhancement and restoration along creeks adjacent to the City of Pleasanton and East Bay Regional Parks at Moller Ranch.
• Planted riparian trees on Suisun Creek.
• Presented, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a workshop on Wetland Restoration for Non-Profit Organizations.

Fiscal Agent Support services for:

• Electronic Reporting System assists the for Regional Water Quality Control Board in implementing a full-scale electronic reporting system for automatic submittal of water quality data from all major NPDES permitees
• Preparation of invasive species and stream protection guidelines through partnerships with the Regional Water Quality Control Board

Watchdog for CCMP Implementation:

• Submitted comment letters on issues of regional importance such as building behind Delta levees and supporting TMDLs.