Evolving Shorelines

Designing for sea level rise resilience at Bothin Marsh

The much loved stretch of shoreline along Bothin Marsh Preserve provides recreation and natural beauty for visitors and residents in southern Marin. The marsh also provides habitat for unique plants and animals. The marsh is surrounded by residential and commercial development. With current sea level rise projections, this preserve will lose a significant amount of vital wetland habitat by 2030. The Mill Valley-Sausalito Multiuse Pathway will also be greatly affected by increased frequency and severity of flooding.

As One Tam partners, the Marin County Open Space District and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy are working with scientists to assess existing conditions and the potential future impacts from sea level rise caused by climate change. In collaboration with the Marin community, they are reviewing and developing sea-level rise adaptation designs to preserve the marsh and protect the pathway. 

Objectives

  • Foster ongoing an ongoing community conversation about how to preserve the marsh and protect the pathway.
  • Share scientific observations about the threats of sea level rise to tidal marsh conservation.
  • Develop a shared vision and collaborative designs for sea level rise adaptation.

Project Partners

Project Funding

To date, the Evolving Shorelines project has been funded primarily by Marin County Parks Measure A. The California State Coastal Conservancy, the Marin Community Foundation, and members of One Tam have also generously provided financial support.

Related Technical Documents

Timeline

  • 2016–17: Project need identified.
  • January 2018: Bothin Marsh Geomorphology, Ecology, and Conservation Options research report.
  • Fall 2018: Evolving Shorelines events series.
  • Winter 2018: Public visioning process begins.
  • Summer 2019: Bothin Marsh vision document.
  • 2021:Conceptual adaptation design and recommendations.
  • 2022: Tam junction connection design concepts and recommendations.