An Update on Microbeads and Ocean Pollution

In October 2015, we showed you how plastic microbeads cause problems for the world’s oceans. When we use face wash, toothpaste, and other products that contain microbeads, the tiny plastic particles flow down the drain and can end up in our waterways. Eventually, some of these beads add to the plastic pollution in the five gyres, including the Pacific Garbage Patch. Today, we are revisiting microbeads because a new study published in Proceedings of the Natural Academy of Sciences showed that polystyrene microplastics affect oyster reproduction in a negative way. Oysters, which are filter feeders, can mistake microplastic particles for phytoplankton, consuming the …

Appreciating Wetlands Worldwide and at Home

January 29, 2016 Posted by Morro Bay National Estuary Program estuary morro bay national estuary wetland wetlandsforourfuture world wetlands day Blog Posts

Estuary, fen, mire, morass, quagmire, slough—a person could get bogged down in all the words for wetlands! These fertile places where land and water meet are as rich in language as they are in life. Wetlands are some of the most productive ecosystems in the world; according to the USEPA, they’re comparable even to rainforests and coral reefs. Wetlands produce a bounty of plants, microbes, invertebrates, and other small lifeforms, which in turn attract larger wildlife. They provide essential habitat for waterfowl and wading birds, many of which breed, nest, and raise their young in wetlands. Wetlands also help …

Birds and Morro Bay

January 22, 2016 Posted by Morro Bay National Estuary Program Audubon climate change curlew long-billed curlew morro bay national estuary morro coast audubon Blog Posts

At least one billion birds migrate along the Pacific Flyway each year. (One billion birds!) Most of these birds migrate at night. They take off near sunset, moving together in groups that can be seen as large colorful swirls on Doppler radar. In the winter, thousands of these migrating birds make a much-needed stopover in Morro Bay, foraging for food and resting on and near its clean waters in order to conserve energy for the continuation of their journeys. The Estuary Program recently talked with Dave Tyra, President of the Morro Coast Audubon Society (MCAS) about Morro Bay’s birds. …

What Estuary Program stories compel you?

January 15, 2016 Posted by Morro Bay National Estuary Program blog estuary program local stories morro bay morro bay national estuary program Blog Posts

The Estuary Program blog turns one at the end of January! In this first year, we’ve been happy to bring you an in-depth look at our projects, program updates, information about bay-friendly living, stories about people who are making a difference, and ideas for fun activities that you can do around the estuary. If you missed any of our posts, you can catch up by scrolling down our main blog page. If you’re looking for the highlights, here are links to our top five posts of 2015: 1. Morro Bay Estuary Poetry Contest Winners 2015 Each year, we ask poets …

El Niño, Rain, and the Estuary

January 7, 2016 Posted by Morro Bay National Estuary Program california drought drought el nino estuary morro bay morro bay national estuary noaa precipitation rain sea surface temperature Blog Posts

An increase in water flowing through local creeks helps fish and other aquatic species. This picture was taken at Pennington Creek in 2011.

Everyone is talking about El Niño: the rain, the wind, the warmer ocean temperatures, and whether or not it will impact the drought. At the Estuary Program, we are keeping our eyes on this weather phenomenon because it directly affects our local waterways. In this post, we’ll discuss what extra precipitation might mean for the Morro Bay watershed and estuary. How much rain can we expect? According to an article by local meteorologist John Lindsey, the historical average rainfall for our area is about 23.5 inches during the rainy season, but previous strong El Niño events have brought almost …

Looking Back Over 2015

December 31, 2015 Posted by Morro Bay National Estuary Program 2015 estuary Joel Neel morro bay national estuary program Blog Posts

2015 was a big year for the Morro Bay National Estuary Program. In the following post, Adrienne Harris, current Executive Director, and Joel Neel, Bay Foundation Board President, look back over the year. A Message from the President and Executive Director In our community, we have a long history of working to protect Morro Bay, our estuary. This effort has taken many forms over the decades, but all with the same goal, to protect the special nature of this place. Morro Bay was designated as a State Estuary in 1994, and the Morro Bay National Estuary Program was …

Great Family-Friendly Hikes Around the Estuary

December 24, 2015 Posted by Morro Bay National Estuary Program accessible path boardwalk estuary hikes holiday hike morro bay morro bay national estuary program Blog Posts

The boardwalk path through the elfin forest winds through eight different habitat types, and offers beautiful views of the estuary.

It can be hard to find family-friendly hikes, but we’re lucky to have quite a few to choose from around Morro Bay. Here are a few that allow you to enjoy views of the estuary with your holiday guests! Marina Peninsula Trail This accessible boardwalk trail is only .5 miles long, and it begins close to the parking lot at the Morro Bay State Park Marina. It winds through a variety of habitats, and offers views of the Morros, the salt marsh, the mud flats, the sandspit, the estuary, and Morro Rock. Your view will be different depending on …

Be a Bay-Friendly Host this Holiday Season

December 19, 2015 Posted by Morro Bay National Estuary Program bay-friendly Coastal Cleanup Day conserve water disposable cup estuary program green holiday tip holidays paper cup reusable cup Blog Posts

If you have guests coming to visit this holiday season, you can help them be bay-friendly during their stay on the Central Coast. Reduce waste Take your coffee or tea in reusable tumblers Many people enjoy visiting local shops for a warm cup of coffee or tea at the holidays. It’s a nice way to warm up before a visit to Windy Cove, or a walk along the Embarcadero. If you plan to grab your morning cup on the road with family or friends, consider bringing a reusable cup. Disposable cups are often lined with plastic to prevent them from …

Clean Water, Great Life – Bay Water Quality Update Part II

December 9, 2015 Posted by Morro Bay National Estuary Program algae bloom algal bloom bay water clean water dissolved oxygen DO estuary monitoring morro bay national estuary program Blog Posts

Volunteers monitor DO levels in the early morning hours because that is typically when we find the lowest levels of the day.

The Morro Bay estuary is a special place that is central to many of our lives, providing a beautiful place to live, work, and visit. We play in these waters and enjoy the food they provide. These waters are also home to countless species of plants, fish, and invertebrates. The monitoring efforts of the Estuary Program and its volunteers help to determine if Morro Bay provides clean waters that can support sensitive marine life, as well as activities such as swimming, boating and fishing. Last week, we looked at what the Estuary Program’s monitoring efforts can tell us about …

Clean Water, Great Life – Bay Water Quality Update Part I

December 3, 2015 Posted by Morro Bay National Estuary Program bacteria clean water estuary morro bay national estuary recreation volunteer Blog Posts

The Morro Bay estuary is a special place that is central to many of our lives, providing a beautiful place to live, work, and visit. We play in these waters and enjoy the food they provide. These waters are also home to countless species of plants, fish, and invertebrates. This week, we’ll discuss our findings on bacteria in the bay. Morro Bay – is it safe for swimming? Each month, Estuary Program volunteers monitor bay shoreline sites at popular access points. They test the waters for indicator bacteria like Enterococcus and E. coli. If these indicator bacteria are present, …