On Saturday December 14th, San Diego Bird Alliance will be hosting its annual Wandering the King Tides event and welcoming the public to witness and participate in documenting this remarkable natural occurrence. The event will take place at Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve, offering visitors a unique vantage point to observe these extreme tides and their impact on Mission Bay’s last remaining coastal wetlands.
Wandering the King Tides: view the last remaining acres of tidal marsh habitat disappear during the highest tides of the year, and paint this unique event! We’ll be photographing, sharing Kumeyaay ethnobotany, identifying birds and painting a time-lapse of the King Tides
Date: Saturday, 12/14/24
Time: 6:30am – 10am, speakers 8:30am – 9am
Location: Kendall-Frost Marsh, Pacific Beach Drive, San Diego, CA 92109, near Crown Point Drive
Partners: San Diego Bird Alliance, UC Natural Reserve System, Renascence, California Art Club (CAC), San Diego Urban Sketchers
Contact: Andrew Meyer, 970-222-3328
Background:
These extraordinary tidal events, which are predicted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), represent the year's most extreme high tides, occurring just once or twice annually. King Tides emerge from a precise astronomical alignment – when Earth reaches its closest points to both the sun and moon simultaneously, creating what scientists call a syzygy alignment. San Diego Bird Alliance staff will offer training in both English and Spanish for attendees to take part in the California King Tides Project, a photo-based community science project run by the California Coastal Commission (CCC). “The King Tides Project is an opportunity to document the changes that we’re seeing on the coast, and to discuss with our neighbors how we can take action against climate change. It’s also a reason to get out and enjoy these special places like Kendall-Frost Marsh that are so important to California.” says Annie Kohut Frankel, Manager of the California King Tides Project at the CCC.
NOAAs tide calendar forecasts a dramatic 7.34-foot high tide at 7:30am, presenting a unique opportunity for collaborative research and observation. San Diego Bird Alliance will welcome UC Natural Reserve’s Manager Isabelle Kay and Council President Pro Tem Joe LaCava to speak on how these extreme tides impact coastal ecosystems and wildlife. Of particular interest is the effect on endangered species such as the Ridgways Rail and Beldings Savannah Sparrow, which are forced to navigate closer to urban areas as their marsh habitats temporarily submerge.
This year, local artists from California Art Club (CAC), San Diego Urban Sketchers, and several other groups will join the observation, creating a series of paintings and sketches throughout the morning that capture the dramatic transformation of the marsh as the tide rises, offering both scientific and artistic documentation of this natural phenomenon. Joyce Trinh, San Diego Chapter Co-Chair of the CAC said “Thank you for inviting California Art Club members, local plein air communities, and sketchers to document and observe the 2024 King Tides on this unique conservation marshland. The rise of sea levels has been a significant issue for our communities. We are honored to participate in this conservation event, which focuses on educating the public and embracing the changes that will affect future generations.” Visitors will also get the chance to create their own artistic rendering of the marsh with painting supplies provided by SDBA.
These King Tides serve as a crucial preview of future sea-level conditions, offering a glimpse of what coastal communities in San Diego will regularly experience as climate change continues to impact our oceans. The ReWild Mission Bay Project, supported by over 90 coalition members, advocates for comprehensive wetland restoration in Mission Bay's northeast corner. This initiative aims to create natural buffers against rising seas while delivering multiple environmental benefits: enhanced water quality, increased carbon sequestration, expanded recreational opportunities, and strengthened habitat protection for the diverse wildlife that depends on Kendall-Frost Marsh. And the celebration of our wetlands doesn't end here – mark your calendars for our milestone 20th Annual Love Your Wetlands Day on February 1st, where we'll continue to explore and honor these vital ecosystems.
For more on ReWild Mission Bay, please contact Andrew Meyer at ameyer@sandiegobirdalliance.org , or go to http://rewildmissionbay.org. For more on the San Diego Bird Alliance, please visit http://sandiegobirdalliance.org.
ReWild Mission Bay is a project of the San Diego Bird alliance and our coalition partners to enhance and restore wetlands in the northeast corner of Mission Bay, thereby creating new opportunities for wildlife to thrive, and for San Diegans to enjoy nature in our collective backyard. The surviving wetlands of Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve sit on the unceded territory of the Kumeyaay, who maintain their political sovereignty and cultural traditions. We acknowledge their contributions to our region and thank them for their stewardship – past, present and future.
