Natural Bridges State Marine Reserve
Encyclopedia
Natural Bridges State Marine Reserve (SMR) is a marine protected area
located at the northern edge of Santa Cruz, California
, approximately 75 miles (120.7 km) south of San Francisco. The SMR covers 0.58 square miles (1.5 km²) The SMR protects all marine life within its boundaries. Fishing or other removal of any living marine resource is prohibited.
. established The Natural Bridges State Marine Reserve in September 2007. It was one of 29 marine protected areas adopted during the first phase of the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative
(MLPAI), a collaborative public process to create a statewide network of marine protected areas along the California coastline.
and Wilder Ranch State Park
.
The marine protected area is bounded by the mean high tide line and a distance of 200 feet (61 m) seaward of mean lower low water between the following two points:
, and sandy and rocky shores provide habitat for a wide range of species that inhabit Natural Bridges. These habitats include sandy beach, rocky intertidal, and surfgrass.
from mid-October through the end of February. Docent–led butterfly, tidepool, and nature trail tours are available.
Also adjacent is Wilder Ranch State Park
, which has 34 miles (54.7 km) of hiking, biking, and equestrian
trails. Historic farm buildings have been restored and the park conducts tours and living history demonstrations.
The University of California at Santa Cruz's Long Marine Laboratory
and its public aquarium, the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, are also adjacent. Long Marine Laboratory is an oceanside research and educational facility. Limited tours are available.
California's government encourages recreational and educational uses of the ocean and the marine protected areas. Activities such as kayak
ing, diving, snorkeling, and swimming are allowed unless otherwise restricted.
s along California’s central coast to track their effectiveness and learn more about ocean health. Similar studies in marine protected areas located by the Santa Barbara Channel Islands have detected gradual improvements in fish size and quantity.
Marine Protected Area
Marine Protected Areas, like any protected area, are regions in which human activity has been placed under some restrictions in the interest of conserving the natural environment, it's surrounding waters and the occupant ecosystems, and any cultural or historical resources that may require...
located at the northern edge of Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz is the county seat and largest city of Santa Cruz County, California in the US. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, Santa Cruz had a total population of 59,946...
, approximately 75 miles (120.7 km) south of San Francisco. The SMR covers 0.58 square miles (1.5 km²) The SMR protects all marine life within its boundaries. Fishing or other removal of any living marine resource is prohibited.
History
The California Department of Fish and GameCalifornia Department of Fish and Game
The California Department of Fish and Game is a department within the government of California, falling under its parent California Natural Resources Agency. The Department of Fish and Game manages and protects the state's diverse fish, wildlife, plant resources, and native habitats...
. established The Natural Bridges State Marine Reserve in September 2007. It was one of 29 marine protected areas adopted during the first phase of the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative
Marine Life Protection Act
The Marine Life Protection Act was passed in 1999 and is part of the California Fish and Game Code. The MLPA requires California to reevaluate all existing marine protected areas and potentially design new MPAs that together function as a statewide network. The MLPA has clear guidance associated...
(MLPAI), a collaborative public process to create a statewide network of marine protected areas along the California coastline.
Geography and natural features
Natural Bridges SMR is adjacent to Natural Bridges State BeachNatural Bridges State Beach
Natural Bridges State Beach is a California state park in Santa Cruz, California in the United States. The park features a natural bridge across a section of the beach. It is also well known as a hotspot to see monarch butterfly migrations...
and Wilder Ranch State Park
Wilder Ranch State Park
Wilder Ranch State Park is a California State Park on the Pacific Ocean coast north of Santa Cruz, California. The park was formerly a dairy ranch, established in the late 19th century by the Wilder family and operated until 1969. The dairy ranch, in turn, was originally part of Rancho Refugio, a...
.
The marine protected area is bounded by the mean high tide line and a distance of 200 feet (61 m) seaward of mean lower low water between the following two points:
- 36° 57.90’ N. lat. 122° 07.65’ W. long.; and
- 36° 57.00’ N. lat. 122° 03.50’ W. long.
Habitat and Wildlife
Dramatic wave-cut platforms, exposed rocky cliffs, salt marshSalt marsh
A salt marsh is an environment in the upper coastal intertidal zone between land and salt water or brackish water, it is dominated by dense stands of halophytic plants such as herbs, grasses, or low shrubs. These plants are terrestrial in origin and are essential to the stability of the salt marsh...
, and sandy and rocky shores provide habitat for a wide range of species that inhabit Natural Bridges. These habitats include sandy beach, rocky intertidal, and surfgrass.
Recreation and Nearby Attractions
Adjacent to the SMR is Natural Bridges State Beach which features tidepools and the Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve. The Monarch Grove is home to migrating monarch butterfliesMonarch butterfly
The Monarch butterfly is a milkweed butterfly , in the family Nymphalidae. It is perhaps the best known of all North American butterflies. Since the 19th century, it has been found in New Zealand, and in Australia since 1871 where it is called the Wanderer...
from mid-October through the end of February. Docent–led butterfly, tidepool, and nature trail tours are available.
Also adjacent is Wilder Ranch State Park
Wilder Ranch State Park
Wilder Ranch State Park is a California State Park on the Pacific Ocean coast north of Santa Cruz, California. The park was formerly a dairy ranch, established in the late 19th century by the Wilder family and operated until 1969. The dairy ranch, in turn, was originally part of Rancho Refugio, a...
, which has 34 miles (54.7 km) of hiking, biking, and equestrian
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
trails. Historic farm buildings have been restored and the park conducts tours and living history demonstrations.
The University of California at Santa Cruz's Long Marine Laboratory
Long Marine Laboratory
The Long Marine Laboratory is a research center located at the West edge of Santa Cruz, CA. It is affiliated with the University of California, Santa Cruz and is a field base for researchers of the Monterey Bay...
and its public aquarium, the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, are also adjacent. Long Marine Laboratory is an oceanside research and educational facility. Limited tours are available.
California's government encourages recreational and educational uses of the ocean and the marine protected areas. Activities such as kayak
Kayak
A kayak is a small, relatively narrow, human-powered boat primarily designed to be manually propelled by means of a double blade paddle.The traditional kayak has a covered deck and one or more cockpits, each seating one paddler...
ing, diving, snorkeling, and swimming are allowed unless otherwise restricted.
Monitoring
As specified by the Marine Life Protection Act, researchers monitor selected marine protected areaMarine Protected Area
Marine Protected Areas, like any protected area, are regions in which human activity has been placed under some restrictions in the interest of conserving the natural environment, it's surrounding waters and the occupant ecosystems, and any cultural or historical resources that may require...
s along California’s central coast to track their effectiveness and learn more about ocean health. Similar studies in marine protected areas located by the Santa Barbara Channel Islands have detected gradual improvements in fish size and quantity.