Message From The President

National Wildlife Refuges are in public ownership to meet the life-long needs of fish, wildlife, and plant resources for the benefit of current and future generations. These Refuges support millions of migratory birds and provide essential habitat for other native wildlife, including rare and endangered species.

Since 1972, the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay Wildlife Refuge has been a unique refuge, in that it is the largest urban refuge, within the 93 million acre national wildlife refuge system. The San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society has supported this Refuge since our inception in 1987. When the Society first started, we were the first non-profit cooperating association supporting National Wildlife Refuges. Now we are one of a hundred. But this does not mean that we need to work less diligently. we need to work less hard.

We are very proud of our accomplishments over the past couple of years:

• The completion of the 1,200 foot New Chicago Marsh Boardwalk at the Environmental Education Center in Alviso.
• Developing the Bair Island Restoration and Management Plan that will be the blueprint for habitat restoration and public use for this Refuge property in Redwood City. This project will be completed in 2003.
• Expanded Summer Camps for children in Fremont, Alviso and East Palo Alto.

Our immediate plans for the future include joining the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay Wildlife Refuge in celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of the wildlife refuge system.

As President, it is a privilege to be part of the National Wildlife Refuge community. I look forward to seeing continued growth and expanding projects for the S. F. Bay Wildlife Society to enhance the public's enjoyment and appreciation of the National Wildlife Refuge system and wildlife, in general. I urge all of you to continue to support the mission of the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society.

Sincerely,

Christopher Kitting
President, Board of Directors