Post by Westervelt Ecological Services

An update on the freshwater tidal marsh restoration at Zacharias Ranch Mitigation Bank in Sacramento County, California. In November, WES completed the first phase of restoration on this 580-acre site, transforming former agricultural fields through extensive grading, channel excavation, and the planting of more than 10,000 tule plants. Following construction, the site was flooded using existing infrastructure, creating conditions needed for native vegetation to establish throughout the winter. The results are already visible. Just months after inundation, WES and our partners have documented 72 bird species utilizing the site, reflecting the rapid ecological response to restoration efforts. Later this year, WES will complete the final phase of construction by breaching the existing agricultural levee along Snodgrass Slough. This critical step will reconnect the site to tidal influence, supporting the development of freshwater tidal marsh and riparian habitat. We're excited to share this aerial look at the project's progress and look forward to future updates as restoration continues. A special thanks Nick Long-Rinehart, Sasha Korolkov, Blas Pio, and Jenna Blatchford for the drone footage! #Restoration #Conservation #TidalRestoration #WetlandRestoration #SacramentoDelta #MitigationBanking

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