As fall begins, the staff of the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary want to remind the community that Sanctuary waters are closed to all boat traffic—including paddle boards, kayaks and canoes,—from October 1st through March 31st each winter. Please see the attached flyer for a map of the closure area. Additionally, this flyer may be used for public distribution and posting at Richardson Bay access locations.
This unique closure protects tens of thousands of migratory ducks, geese, and shorebirds that use the Bay for re-fueling on their journeys south, or while they over-winter right here in Bay Area. Due to its critical importance to these birds, Richardson Bay has also been designated as an Important Bird Area by Bird Life International and National Audubon.
The annual closure is mandated by an ordinance of the Richardson Bay Regional Agency (92-1). Approximately 900 acres of bay waters are covered by the ordinance, extending south from the edge of the Cove housing complex to the tip of Strawberry Point, east to Belvedere and north to Blackie’s Pasture. Audubon manages this area as a wildlife sanctuary and conducts research focused on the waterbirds, eelgrass and native oysters. The Sanctuary boundaries are designated by buoys and permanent, marked pilings.
We thank you for your continued cooperation in helping to preserve this important resource!
Download a flyer (PDF)