The mission of the Bolinas Lagoon Foundation is to promote the conservation, protection and restoration of Bolinas Lagoon in Marin County, California, and its natural surroundings as a unique natural resource; to support scientific study of Bolinas Lagoon; to encourage an active concern for Bolinas Lagoon to the public; and to work with and assist other non-profit and charitable agencies concerned with the welfare of Bolinas Lagoon.

During 1994 two local residents of Stinson Beach noticed that Bolinas Lagoon appeared to have more exposed "bottom" at low tide than had previously been the case. They were concerned that, if the trend continued, the lagoon could fill with sediment. The Bolinas Lagoon Technical Advisory Committee had already become alarmed. After a comparison and analysis of 1968, 1978 and 1988 bathymetric surveys by its U.S. Geological Survey members, the mathematical comparisons indicated a serious, exponential increase in sediment deposition.

In December 1994, the Bolinas Lagoon Foundation commissioned a study of the physical condition of the lagoon, followed by preparation of a "white paper" to outline the physical problems of the lagoon and creation of a plan of action to take the problem to Congress, the Community, the County and the State.

The study concluded that the lagoon was too valuable an ecological resource to be allowed to disappear-- tidal wetlands are among the most productive habitats on earth; in recent history thousands of acres of tidal wetlands have been lost to development, farming and recreation-- and corrective actions could be taken.

The Foundation further established an Ad Hoc committee named the Committee to Save Bolinas Lagoon. John L. Jones was appointed Chairman of the Committee; Lesly Robinson, Vice-Chair; Mimi Lowrey, Development Chair; and Clem Whitaker, Study Coordinator. Simultaneously, fund raising was undertaken to support the Committee's activities.

The Committee to Save Bolinas Lagoon spent its first year enlisting the support of local environmental experts, including those from Audubon Canyon Ranch, the Point Reyes Bird Observatory and Marin County's Bolinas Lagoon Technical Advisory Committee; preparing educational materials; and approaching the Congress for federal government support. Success was achieved in 1996, when Congress appropriated $110,000 for the Phase I Study of Bolinas Lagoon.

The Committee has continued to work in support of Marin County and the Federal Government by providing educational materials and public awareness for the lagoon and its restoration. Public support has been manifested by the donation of more than $550,000 by private citizens, and $350,000 from foundations. Bolinas Lagoon Foundation has given $75,000 to Marin County in support of the project, and secured matching funding from a local homeowners' association.

Our first Study Coordinator, Clem Whitaker, died in September, 1999, just as Congress was authorizing funding for the project for the current fiscal year. The Foundation has replaced Clem with Bucky Mace as Executive Director, to continue the public education programs and support Marin County and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers in their work for the ecological restoration of Bolinas Lagoon. The Foundation's role was, and is, to support the processes of government and the involvement of an informed citizenry.

Our efforts are supported by many of our elected representatives.

United States Senator Barbara Boxer says:

"The Bolinas Lagoon is perhaps the finest marine estuary and riparian habitat on the West Coast. I applaud the innovative work of the Bolinas Lagoon Restoration Project to preserve and protect this 7,000-year old ecosystem. The Project represents a powerful partnership among local, state and federal agencies and private citizens - a partnership that will provide lasting benefits for the many rare, threatened and endangered species that call the lagoon home and for the thousands of people who visit the lagoon each year."

Tom Roth, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey's environmental aide, says:

"When we have restored Bolinas Lagoon, we will have proven that a vision can be shared all the way from its shores to Washington. When we have restored Bolinas Lagoon we will have kept a very profound promise to our children."

Senator John Burton, President pro Tempore of the California State Senate, offers the following comment:

"Anytime a tidal estuary can be returned to its fully functioning state and serve as a valuable ecological habitat, that's a good day's work. Congratulations to the BOLINAS LAGOON FOUNDATION on their continuing good work."

Kerry Mazzoni, former assemblymember, Sixth District put it this way:

"The Bolinas Lagoon Ecosystem Restoration started with a grass roots movement. When the effort is completed, 1,100 acres of habitat (marsh, intertidal mud flats and deep water) will have been preserved for the benefit of future generations. I'm proud to have helped!"

Joe Nation, assemblymember, Sixth District says:

"I am proud to continue the efforts of my colleagues to restore and protect this unique and wonderful ecosystem as a legacy for future generations."

A project like ours requires the dedication, support and contributions of many parties: elected officials, civil servants, and a raft of private citizens. We have been fortunate that these groups have come together in the Bolinas Lagoon Ecosystem Restoration effort. Won't you join our effort, and support our foundation?