"It's been the community interest and support, and it was the persistent efforts of everyone, from the people who live around it, biologists, researchers, birdwatchers, and resource agencies," explained Feeney. "There's been a huge increase in awareness of the importance of the salt marsh and the willingness of people to make it a priority to protect it."

"One's never finished when it comes to restoration," said Janet Diehl, project manager for the Coastal Conservancy. "Sedimentation is a big issue, particularly on [U.C.'s] portion. It's natural sediment from the foothills constrained at the mouth of the marsh."

Next, the Land Trust and Coastal Conservancy have their sights set on restoring what is known as Basin 3, located on the western region of the U.C. reserve and some protected marshland in private ownership. "The conservation easements are kind of a step in the process of integrating all the management and restoration efforts," said Feeney. "Through the easements, not only are they agreeing to not disturb the marsh, they're agreeing to allow us to take the lead in management and restoration."

For the past eight years I have been living on the mountain side of the marsh, passing it daily on my way to work, lifeguarding on the city beach, and at my favorite surf spot where the mouth of the marsh spills into the ocean. After ten years of restoration, all the improvements to the marsh are evident in the growing biodiversity across the swath of channels, upland habitats, and expanse of pickleweed. As I stood on the banks of a tidal channel snaking its way toward the ocean on this particular day, tranquility was interrupted by a common merganser coming up for air during a fishing expedition. Its breach startled a flock of American coots, a blur of black feathers heading toward the western fringe of the marsh. Perhaps it was the lone gray fox peering over the pickleweed that started the tumult. Be that as it may, for me this was another cherished moment in the cycle of life within the Carpinteria Marsh.

Chuck Graham, a freelance writer and photographer, has been living in Carpinteria for 33 years. His work has appeared in Wildlife Conservation, Sea Kayaker, Forest Magazine, and elsewhere. He's the editor of DEEP magazine, a surfing and ocean lifestyle publication. When he's not lifeguarding on Carpinteria City Beach, he leads kayak tours at Channel Islands National Park. See www.chuckgrahamphoto.com.

For docent-led trips in the Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park, call (805) 684-8077. For the U. C. Reserve System call (805) 893-4127 or see http://nrs.ucop.edu.