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7A Page 42 DRAFT-Will be updated and provided in color for March 22"d Councif ineeting STRI�TEG I ES #. �r°��:tr,��€� Y.��S4F .�o��r'l��aik;��;�±c;��E��t��+��e��:��:��rs��:�:�;:��e�� °�j�-�:�� �u�"��i�:�8kt�rt�:s�'st��k",s:�t'k':;{f.3e��'4� t'G„�i#.escK�ti?'.�f..�.C��z� ::�'�;;�1�:�'.''r^:.t;S��l�'';�:t�s�i c�t��i �::xaaiTa��a�a:is-'.�"vKS�� g h�£ �'��F��l�"��$s'l�.�S:��k�s"E''�'�'��'�Qd��:�i?, Redwaod City residents value open space and na�ura{habitat areas.The City and its sphere af inf�uence contain extensive natural habitats and apen spaces,particularly near the San Francisco Bay but also in the nearby foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains.These areas are rich animal and plant habitat,accommodating a diversity of wildlife including birds, mammals, insects,fish,and other ma�-ine animais,as well as a variety of species of native plartts. Redwood City has particigated in efforts to preserve expansive areas of the fragife wetlands ecosystem, as part of the Bair Island Task�orce.The upland hillsides,intluding Stulsaft Park and Edgewaod County Park and Natural Preserve,offer extensive open space areas suitable for low-intensity recreational use and are home�o a great variety of plant species and w9ldfife. Redwoad Clty can work collaboratively with volunteer groups, non-proflt organizations,and community graups to maintain and restore creek ecology, plant trees,preserve neighborhood green spaces,and restore/maintain wetlands.These efforts can serve to protect sensitive ecological areas while building camrnunity and connecting resider�ts ta t�eir natural environment,as well as to each other. An example of such a collaborative effort in Redwood City is the restoration af Inner Bair island, part of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge.The U.S. Fish and Wiidlife Service(FWS)is undertaking a 1,400-acre restoration praject to return it to its naturaf condition as tidal wetlands—a recovery from its historic human use as grazing fands and salt evaporation ponds.The restoration of this ecological treasure wil!help renew natural vegetation, protect crifical wildiife habitat and endangered species,reduce mosquito breeding,and affer revitalized public access and renewed opportunities for environmental education, The entire project represents a model which other entities throughout the Bay Area might use for similar cooperative effotts.An important�art of that model is a unique partnership between a group of agencies and nan-profit organizations to provide mutual support for the ongoing efforts far restoration of Bair Island.Th(s group includes the FWS,the City of Redwaod City,the Bay Planning Coalition,the Port of Redwood City,Save the Bay,South Bayside Systems Authority,the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers,and others. Another example of a community col�aborative habitat restoration project is the Stulsaft branch of Redwood Creek in Stulsaft Park.Kennedy Middle School's science department,non-profit organization Acterra,and the City's Aarks and Recreation Department work together on a creek restoration and maintenance program that ties to 7"'grade science standards.Teachers take students on c(ass field trips to the creek at the park,which is within five minutes walking distance from the school.Students visit the creek site severaE times per semester to fami[iarize themselves with the creek surroundings,identify ptant species and participate in creek res�ora�ion.They apply in-school [earning to hands-on wark,and in the process,help better theEr community. � 1e Generat Plan 1�R-29;also Goals NR-5,6&8 d �