Nation’s First Wildlife Refuge Created (1870)

The entry for just a few days ago—March 14—marks the date that the first National Wildlife Refuge was created, in 1903 (see more here).  But 33 years earlier, on March 18, 1870, the nation’s first wildlife refuge was created.  What’s the difference?  This one was enacted by the State of California, not by the federal government.

Oakland showing Laguna Peralta in 1857 (photo by US Geological Survey)

The first wildlife refuge is Lake Merritt, in the middle of downtown Oakland, California.  The Lake Merritt refuge includes a 155-acre lake and the surrounding parkland.  California declared on March 18, 1870, that “it shall be unlawful for any person to take, kill or destroy, in any manner whatever, the grouse, any species of wild duck, crane, heron, swan, pelican, snip, or any wild animal or game, of any kind of species whatever, upon, in or around Lake Merritt…and within one hundred rods from high water mark….”  Hence, a wildlife refuge!

Lake Merritt started out as a tidal lagoon, known as Laguna Peralta, that was fed by the adjacent Oakland estuary.  Seven small streams emptied into the wetland from upstream.  It was an important resting point for migratory waterfowl traveling the Pacific flyway.

In 1869, the mayor of Oakland, Samuel Merritt, donated the lake and surrounding area to the city for a wildlife preserve.  He was interested in encouraging the development of the adjacent lands and so wanted to stop hunting that he thought discouraged investment.  He also donated funds for construction of a dam across the tidal inlet, with culverts that could control how much water flowed in and out of the lagoon.  Henceforth, the lagoon became a saltwater lake—the largest of its kind in an urban area in the country.

With ongoing urban development, the lake required additional management.  Today the lake is surrounded by retaining walls along the entire 3+ miles of its perimeter.  An island for waterfowl nesting was built in 1925 and four others followed in the 1950s.  The largest have freshwater ponds. These islands are cordoned off from people during nesting times. Water flow was carefully managed to keep the lake surface at a level compatible with the surrounding urban uses.

Flocks of ducks in and around Lake Merritt in 1923 (photo by US National Park Service)

Historic photographs show huge flocks of waterfowl.  For several decades the birds were fed twice daily, no doubt artificially increasing the carrying capacity of the habitat.  With decreased tidal flushing, the lake slowly became filled with silt and has required dredging on occasion.  High nutrient inputs have also led to eutrophication.

In 2002, the City of Oakland passed a $198 million bond issue, with $115 million allocated for the restoration of Lake Merritt.  A series of 50 projects were performed to restore the estuarine connections more directly by removing the old culverts and allowing natural tidal movements.  Other projects sought to improve water quality in the lake, restore incoming streams and marshes, and provide for more pedestrian and bicycle use while reducing vehicle traffic.

Lake Merritt from the air (photo by Dcoetzee)

Lake Merritt is the epitome of an urban park.  The lake and adjacent lands have been developed extensively for outdoor recreation, both associated with nature (a nature center is located on the property) and with cultural and fitness activities.  Whether the park has fulfilled its goal as a wildlife refuge is probably debatable, but its value as a nature-based asset to the local community is outstanding.

References:

City of Oakland.  Lake Merritt, The Jewel of Oakland.  Available at:  http://www2.oaklandnet.com/government/o/opr/s/LakeMerritt/index.htm.  Accessed March 16, 2018.

Lakemerritt.org.  Welcome.  Available at:  https://www.lakemerritt.org/.  Accessed March 16, 2018.

Miller, Amy.  2010.  Polishing Oakland’s Crown Jewl:  Lake Merritt Reborn.  KQED Science, August 20, 2010.  Available at:  https://www.kqed.org/quest/7406/polishing-oaklands-crown-jewel-lake-merritt-reborn.  Accessed March 16, 2018.

Schell, Adrienne.  2016.  Lake Merritt’s Feathered Friends.  Oaklandmomma.com  Available at: http://www.oaklandmomma.com/2016/10/07/lake-merritts-feathered-friends/.  Accessed March 16, 2018

This Month in Conservation

June 1
US Announced Withdrawal from Paris Climate Agreement (2017)
June 2
Rodne Galicha, Philippine Environmentalist, Born (1979)
June 2
Edwin Way Teale, Nature Writer, Born (1899)
June 3
The World’s First Wilderness Area Established (1924)
June 4
Gaylord Nelson, Politician and Conservationist, Born (1916)
June 5
World Environment Day
June 6
Novarupta Volcano Erupted in Alaska (1912)
June 7
Thomas Malthus Published His Famous Essay (1798)
June 8
Bryce Canyon National Park Created (1923)
June 9
Coral Triangle Day
June 10
E. O. Wilson, Father of Biodiversity, Born (1929)
June 11
Jacques Cousteau, Ocean Explorer, Born (1910)
June 12
Frank Chapman, Creator of the Christmas Bird Count, Born (1864)
June 13
Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General, Born (1944)
June 14
Bramble Cay Melomys Went Extinct (2016)
June 15
Global Wind Day
June 16
Gray Whale Delisted (1994)
June 17
World Day to Combat Desertification
June 18
Alexander Wetmore, Ornithologist and Smithsonian Leader, Born (1866)
June 19
Feast of the Forest, Palawan, Philippines
June 20
Great Barrier Reef Protected (1975)
June 21
World Hydrography Day
June 22
Cuyahoga River Burst into Flames (1969)
June 23
Antarctic Treaty Implemented (1961)
June 23
June 24
David McTaggart, Greenpeace Leader, Born (1932)
June 25
David Douglas, Pioneering Botanist, Born (1799)
June 26
United Nations Chartered (1945)
June 27
Tajik National Park Added to World Heritage List (2013)
June 28
Mark Shand, Asian Elephant Conservationist, Born (1951)
June 29
Mesa Verde National Park Created (1906)
June 30
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Created (1940)
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