From the SF Estuary Wetlands Regional Monitoring Program:
The Wetlands and Flood Risk Reduction StoryMap was developed to support the SF Estuary Wetlands Regional Monitoring Program‘s People and Wetlands Workgroup’s priority of understanding how wetland restoration can reduce coastal hazards and improve community resilience across the San Francisco Bay Area. This bi-lingual interactive resource explores the protective role of wetlands in the face of increasing threats from sea level rise, storm surge, and recurrent flooding.
Designed for a broad general audience, the StoryMap introduces key concepts around coastal flooding, wetland benefits, and community vulnerability, offering accessible explanations of how wetlands absorb wave energy, store floodwaters, and improve quality of life for shoreline communities. It also highlights the historical loss of wetlands due to development and bay fill, underscoring the urgent need for restoration and adaptive planning.
Through a series of interactive maps, users can explore five key sites around the Bay—each illustrating the intersection of coastal flooding, soil and water contamination, and infrastructure vulnerability. These visualizations help users understand how environmental risks vary across regions and how restoration can offer tangible benefits.
The StoryMap also features Restoration Profiles for sites including the Canal District in San Rafael, Emeryville Crescent Marsh in Emeryville, Yosemite Slough in San Francisco, Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline in Oakland, and Cooley Landing in East Palo Alto. These profiles showcase real-world examples of how wetland restoration is helping buffer communities from flood impacts, revitalize ecosystems, and foster public engagement. From stabilizing levees to improving public access, these efforts demonstrate how nature-based solutions can protect both people and places.
The final section of the StoryMap invites users to get involved in wetland restoration efforts across the Bay Area, offering regional volunteer opportunities and highlighting the role of community leadership in building shoreline resilience.
By combining scientific data, community stories, and interactive mapping, the Wetlands and Flood Risk Reduction StoryMap empowers users to explore the complex relationship between wetlands, sea level rise, and community resilience in the San Francisco Bay Area.
