Understanding Social-Environmental Interactions in Suisun-Delta Tidal Marsh Restoration

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT:

This project seeks to improve how we measure the success of tidal marsh restoration in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun Marsh by looking at both environmental benefits and community impacts, with special attention to how these projects affect local people. The research team will analyze public support for restoration, document how different communities are affected by these projects and develop tools to help decision-makers better incorporate social factors into restoration planning and evaluation.

PROJECT SUMMARY:

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun Marsh regions are critical parts of California's water system, providing vital habitat and water resources while facing significant environmental challenges. While there has been considerable research on the ecological aspects of tidal marsh restoration in these areas, less is known about how these projects affect and are perceived by different communities.

This project will examine the social dimensions of tidal marsh restoration in these regions, seeking to understand what drives public support for restoration projects and how different communities interact with and are impacted by them. The research team will analyze existing data, conduct interviews with community members and use cellular data to track how different demographic groups use restored areas. They will also document the characteristics of past restoration projects and analyze which features correlate with increased public access and use.

The project aims to create practical tools and resources for natural resource managers. A key deliverable will be updating the EcoAtlas online portal to include information about the social benefits and ecosystem services of restoration projects in these regions. The research team will also develop recommendations for designing future restoration projects that better serve a variety of communities while maintaining ecological benefits. 

This project is funded by the Delta Stewardship Council Delta Science Program under Agreement No. DSC23000, and is administered by California Sea Grant.