Island Enhancement

Aramburu Island has been transformed into a sustainable habitat for migratory and resident birds. Originally a dredge mud wave break covered with invasive plants, Aramburu Island now has a strengthened shoreline and upland habitats. These enhancements help the island withstand sea level rise and increased wave impact. They allow the island to provide shelter and food to an increasing number of birds and other wildlife.

Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary, in partnership with Marin County Parks, removed weeds, planted native vegetation, installed a sand and rock shoreline with stabilization infrastructure, and monitored wildlife to evaluate the success of the project.

Volunteers and community members contributed thousands of hours through service-learning and community science opportunities.

• Audubon Aramburu Island Enhancement Project
• Aramburu Island Enhancement Project Flyer PDF

Volunteer restoration workdays are fun, educational, and open to the public. Help plant native vegetation, remove invasive species, help maintain irrigation systems, and take part in citizen science monitoring at Aramburu Island.

• Reduce erosion along the eastern shoreline.
• Enhance island resilience to sea-level rise.
• Enhance habitats for shorebirds, waterfowl, and wading birds.
• Enhance suitability of haul-out habitats for harbor seals.
• Enhance habitats for rare salt marsh plants.
• Establish native vegetation on the island terrace.

• Aramburu Island Shoreline Protection and Ecological Enhancement Project PDF

Cosco Busan Oil Spill Settlement Trustee Council provided generous funding for this project. Additional funding was provided by the City of Mill Valley, Marin Community Foundation, S.D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation, Together Green, and NOAA Fisheries Restoration Center.

• Fall 2012: Construction complete.
• 2012–2014: Saline irrigation, invasive species management, revegetation.
• 2015–2017: Invasive species management, scientific monitoring, shorebird surveys, data analysis.
• post 2017: Scientific monitoring, public restoration workdays.