We will tour the Hamilton Native Plant Nursery, a part of the Hamilton Wetlands Restoration Project, providing the over sixty thousand local native plants needed for the site’s upland and seasonal wetland habitats. We will also head out into the Hamilton Wetlands Restoration site to observe the various habitats and wildlife there, learning how the site has continued to develop since the bay-levee breach of April 2014.
The Hamilton Wetlands Restoration Project is transforming parts of the former Hamilton Army Airfield in the City of Novato to ~750 acres of wetlands, including 65 acres of seasonal wetlands and open space. The site is home to migratory birds and fish species such as the king salmon, the endangered California clapper rail, and the salt marsh harvest mouse; the latter two depend on salt marsh habitats for their existence. The project has opened a new 2.7-mile stretch of the Bay Trail for walking and wildlife viewing and offers volunteer opportunities for students at area schools and others interested in helping to grow and plant native vegetation on the site.
The tour will involve very gentle walking and will be mostly wheelchair accessible, except for a portion of the nursery’s outdoor growing area. Please bring sun protection and a water bottle if you like. Restroom facilities and drinking water are available at the nursery. Folks may want to bring binoculars as well.
We will begin the tour at the nursery: 737 Aberdeen Rd (aka Todds Rd) Novato CA 94949. Directions below. Folks are encouraged to carpool and to park along the side of the road outside of the nursery. Please respect the 10 and 15 mph speed limits when driving to the nursery—the residential neighbors appreciate it.
Directions to the Hamilton Native Plant Nursery (HNPN)
Heading North on 101:
Take Hamilton Field/ Nave Dr exit., veering to the right along the exit. Continue on Nave Dr through to the second stop light, which is at the intersection of Nave Rd and Hamilton Parkway. Take a right on Hamilton Parkway. Continue about a quarter mile and make the first left just after the skate park (which is also on the left), onto Todd Rd. There is a chain link gate there; to the right of the gate is a small sign on the fence with a red arrow and “HNPN.” Shortly after you turn onto Todd Rd, there will be a fork in the road; stay to the right, and you will pass through another open chain link gate. Look for additional red arrow signs labeled “HNPN.” Continue driving along Todd Rd, which runs along the perimeter of the residential neighborhood. Please be sure to respect the 15 mph speed limit. The nursery is about half a mile down Todd Rd, on the right. There is a red and white sign at the main gate. The nursery building looks like a two-story warehouse. Feel free to park in one of the parking spaces onsite if open. My office is at the back of the building, so I may not hear you right away. I also have my dog Sunny on site with me—he is very friendly, but usually greets visitors with a loud bark.
Heading South on 101:
Take Hamilton Field exit. Make a right at the lights, which takes you back over the freeway. Make a right at the next lights, onto Nave Drive. Continue on Nave Dr to the stop light, at the intersection of Nave Rd and Hamilton Parkway. Take a left onto Hamilton Parkway. Continue about a quarter mile and make the first left just after the skate park (which is also on the left), onto Todd Rd. There is a chain link gate there; to the right of the gate is a small sign on the fence with a red arrow and “HNPN.” Shortly after you turn onto Todd Rd, there will be a fork in the road; stay to the right, and you will pass through another open chain link gate. Look for additional red arrow signs labeled “HNPN.” Continue driving along Todd Rd, which runs along the perimeter of the residential neighborhood. Please be sure to respect the 15 mph speed limit. The nursery is about half a mile down Todd Rd, on the right. There is a red and white sign at the main gate. The nursery building looks like a two-story warehouse. Feel free to park in one of the parking spaces onsite if open. My office is at the back of the building, so I may not hear you right away. I also have my dog Sunny on site with me—he is very friendly, but usually greets visitors with a loud bark.