Wildlands Conservancy Launches Major Wetland Restoration at Estero Americano Coast Preserve

The Wildlands Conservancy starts a nearly $5 million project to improve water quality and strengthen one of California’s most significant coastal estuaries.

BODEGA BAY, CA, UNITED STATES, August 11, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Years in the making, The Wildlands Conservancy launched a nearly $5 million restoration effort at Estero Americano Coast Preserve in late June to improve the health of Estero Americano, a coastal estuary identified by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife as among California’s most significant habitat areas.

By restoring degraded wetlands and streamside habitat upstream, the project will reduce erosion, improve water quality, expand habitat for native wildlife, and strengthen the watershed that ultimately feeds the Estero Americano State Marine Recreational Management Area, part of California’s statewide network of protected coastal waters.

Stretching across a mile of the Sonoma Coast, Estero Americano Coast Preserve meets the mouth of the Estero Americano where interconnected wetlands and coastal habitats support an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, including more than 140 bird species, more than 40 marine and freshwater fish species, and federally listed central California coast steelhead, California red-legged frogs, and tidewater gobies.

Over time, historic land use practices altered stream channels and degraded wetlands, reducing the estuary’s ability to naturally filter water, support wildlife, and withstand erosion. Habitat reconstruction will restore degraded wetlands and streamside areas, stabilize streambanks, establish native wetland vegetation, and restore the natural processes that sustain a healthy estuary.

“Nature has an incredible capacity to recover when given the opportunity,” said Landon Peppel, deputy director of conservation and restoration programs for the Wildlands Conservancy. “By improving wetlands and streamside habitat, we’re restoring the natural processes that improve water quality and strengthen the ecological health of Estero Americano where it meets the Pacific Ocean.”

The property was conserved in 2015 through a partnership with Sonoma Land Trust and The Wildlands Conservancy with support from Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, which holds a conservation easement that ensures permanent protection and public access are preserved for future generations.

“When the Sonoma County Ag + Open Space helped permanently protect this property through a conservation easement, the vision was to conserve its extraordinary coastal habitats while ensuring people could experience and enjoy this remarkable place,” said Misti Arias, general manager of Ag + Open Space . “This restoration advances that vision by strengthening the ecological health of the watershed while protecting the conservation values that make this landscape so important.”

Estero Americano Coast Preserve will remain open throughout construction, although trails adjacent to the restoration area will be temporarily closed while habitat reconstruction is underway.

“Since the Estero Americano Coast Preserve opened last July, I’ve hiked it at least a dozen times and have come to appreciate what a special place it is,” said Tracy Amiral, president of the Bodega Harbour Homeowners Association and resident in the community neighboring the preserve. “It gives people an opportunity to hike, walk their dogs, observe wildlife, or simply enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of the coast. I hope this restoration effort helps preserve the ecological health and natural beauty of the area for future generations.”

Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2026, followed by five years of ecological monitoring to measure improvements in water quality, stream stability, native vegetation, and wildlife habitat.

“One of the most rewarding parts of this project is that people will be able to watch the landscape recover over time,” said Peppel. “As wetlands return and wildlife responds, visitors to Estero Americano Coast Preserve will experience firsthand how active stewardship helps nature recover.”

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Since its founding in 1995, The Wildlands Conservancy has protected more than 2.3 million acres through acquisition and advocacy, safeguarding ecological connectivity and vast natural landscapes across the American West. Across these lands, its growing nature preserve system — now 24 locations spanning more than 210,000 acres — supports hands-on land stewardship, habitat restoration, species rewilding, and meaningful connections between people and nature. With free access for all, these preserves also provide outdoor education programs focused on youth from underserved and economically disadvantaged communities, inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.

Landon Peppel
The Wildlands Conservancy
+1 661-747-6148
landon.p@wildlandsconservancy.org

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