Plant Life
At the heart of this cluster of protected lands is the biologically diverse Big River. Found here are Coastal Brackish Marsh, mudflats, Coastal and Valley Freshwater Marsh, Coastal Scrub, riparian forests, Coastal Redwood Forest, Bishop Pine Forest, Grand Fir Forest, Mendocino Pygmy Cypress Forest, Coastal Coniferous Forest, and mixed hardwood/conifer forest, as well as five aquatic plant associations.
Dominated by redwoods, the area is graced by extensive alluvial benches where these trees rapidly grow to impressive dimensions and support unique plant and animal communities. Twenty-one rare threatened or endangered species identified by the California Native Plant Society occur in the Big River Wetlands. Notable plants include Pygmy Cypress and Bolanders Beach Pine, a federal species of concern.
River and Estuary
The Big River Unit contains 8.3 miles of a perennially open-mouthed estuary and an essential nursery for federal and state listed threatened anadromous fish including Coho, Steelhead, and Pacific Lamprey. Additionally the park contains 12 miles of class I Coho and Steelhead spawning gravels, and 15 miles of Class II tributaries a long with its ridge to ridge forested upland slopes. In total the park contains 1,500 acres of estuary, mudflats, salt marsh, brackish marsh, freshwater marsh, and fresh emergent wetland.
Bird Life
It protects wildlife habitat for 27 endangered, threatened, or species of special concern, including Northern Spotted Owl, California Brown Pelican, Bald Eagle, and Southern Torrent Salamander.
The Big River Unit also protects extensive potential habitat for Marbled Murrulets, good habitat for Black Brant, and a possible introduction site for the endangered California Clapper Rail.
