Ceremony Marks Completion of Upper Newport Bay Restoration
Overlooking that serene setting, sponsors and supporters of the Upper Newport Bay Ecosystem Restoration Project celebrated its completion at a ribbon cutting held Nov. 6 at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center in Newport Beach. (USACE video by Brooks O. Hubbard IV)
Soundscape #7: View of Back Bay from Roof of Muth Interpretive Center
Wide-view of Back Bay from roof of Muth Learning Center
Newport Back Bay for Newport Back Bay
The Upper Newport Back Bay is a large coastal wetland (an estuary) in Newport Beach, Southern California and a major stopover for birds on the Pacific Flyway. Dozens of species, including endangered ones, can be observed here. Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve and Ecological Reserve represent approximately 1,000 acres of open space. In 1985 the upper west bluffs and lands surrounding the bay became part of an Orange County regional park, which offers outdoor activities such as bird-watching, jogging, bicycling, hiking, and kayaking. The Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center is great to learn about the area and fun for all ages.
Ron Yeo, FAIA Back Bay Science Center
Located in Newport Beach, CA on Shellmaker Island, off of Back Bay Drive next to the Newport Dunes. This facility provides year-round educational programs emphasizing estuarine and marine ecology; connecting these concepts to the greater watershed. Over 750 thousand people (approximately the total population of Alaska) live in this watershed, which incorporates nine densely populated and urbanized cities. Non-point source pollutants from these urban areas funnel down through the Back Bay estuary and out to the Pacific Ocean. The Back Bay Science Center strives towards educating local citizens, particularly future generations, on the critical role they play in their watershed. Their goal is for people to understand what specific activities they should or should not do at home that will help protect the Back Bay.
Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve - Wcities
The area is 900 acres of estuary, marsh, and coastal sage scrub habit. Six endangered bird species are found here. Seventy species of fish use the bay and during winter migration thousands of shorebirds and ducks either visit or spend the winter here. Kayak, canoe, walking and electric boat tours are offered and a state of the art Interpretive Center is located at 2301 University Dr., Newport Beach. Center hours are 10-4 Tuesday through Sunday. No admission fee.
Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve Hike - HikingGuy.com
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Nestled in the community of Newport Beach, the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve hike offers a fun and easy 3-mile hike that offers great views of Upper Newport Bay and world-class wildlife spotting. The Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve is home to some 200 bird species, including some endangered species, making it a top bird watching destination in the USA. This loop hike takes you down along the shore of Upper Newport Bay, then back along the bluffs overlooking the bay that offer great views.