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Giant Kelp

About the Bay

The Back Bay Science Center is a hub for scientific research and education located in Newport Beach, California.  With a rich biodiversity and a commitment to science, the Back Bay Science Center is a resource for the community and beyond.

HISTORY

Prior to the 18th century, coastal wetlands were found all along the California coast.  Due to urban development over the years, these areas have undergone significant loss.  In the 1960's, one area that faced urban development was Upper Newport Bay.  Concerned citizens and Friends of Newport Bay (now Newport Bay Conservancy) brought attention to the ecological importance of the bay and successfully fought to protect and preserve this area.  As a result of their collective effort, Upper Newport Bay become an Ecological Reserve managed by the California Department of Fish and Game (now California Department of Fish and Wildlife) in 1975.

PLACE

An Ecological Reserve and a State Marine Conservation Area.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife is responsible for the management of over 1.1 million acres of fish and wildlife habitat spanning over 700 properties statewide.  These properties provide habitat for a rich diversity of fish, wildlife, and plant species and comprise habitats from every major ecosystem in the state.  One of these properties is Upper Newport Bay which is an Ecological Reserve.  The purpose of Ecological Reserves are to conserve threatened or endangered plants and/or animals, and/or specialized habitat types, provide opportunities for the public to observe native plants and wildlife, and provide opportunities for environmental research.  Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve is a 752-acre property consisting of salt marsh, mudflat, and marine habitat.  Large mudflats with suitable loafing areas above high tide are extremely desirable for migrating shorebirds and waterfowl.  Sheltered waters provide foraging, spawning, and nursery habitat for marine fishes.

Upper Newport Bay is a type of Marine Protected Area (MPA) known as a State Marine Conservation Area.  One of the goals for Upper Newport Bay State Marine Conservation Area is to protect the largest remaining estuary in Southern California.  The conservation area contains a mix of marshland and tidal flat habitats.  A variety of marine fish species may be found in the estuary, including California halibut, spotted bay bass, and croaker, whose young use it as a nursery area.  Invertebrates such as medusa worms and jackknife clams bury themselves in the mud, where they filter plankton from the silty water.  Because of its large size and location, close to 30,000 birds at a time may use the conservation area during winter migration.  The estuary also provides critical habitat and refuge for endangered bird species such as the California least tern.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife contains detailed information about Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve and Upper Newport Bay State Marine Conservation Area.

Location

Please note, because the Back Bay Science Center is located on an Ecological Reserve and State Marine Conservation Area, the gated facility is only open to the public for scheduled events and activities.

Real-Time Data

For a reading of today's conditions like rain, wind speed, temperature, and relative humidity, visit HOBO.

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Today's Tides

To review high and low tide predictions for today, visit NOAA Tides & Currents.

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MISSION

To provide a hands-on facility where students and the public can study and enjoy the estuarine ecology of Newport Beach and the marine ecology of the ocean; and to promote natural resource conservation and stewardship throughout the watershed.

Operational Partners

California Department of Fish and Wildlife
County of Orange
City of Newport Beach
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