Lake Merritt 150th Anniversary
--- a celebration of stewardship & Lake Merritt history---

Step into the captivating history and enduring significance of Lake Merritt, America's First Wildlife Refuge, in this commemorative tribute. Join us on a journey that pays homage to the 150th anniversary of the Lake Merritt Wildlife Refuge, a testament to the unwavering dedication of stewards throughout the years. Delve into the remarkable story behind Lake Merritt Wildlife Refuge's establishment in 1870 and its evolution as a cherished sanctuary for both animals and humans. From the pioneering efforts of Samuel Merritt and the transformative work of Paul Covel at the Rotary Nature Center to the wonders of bird migration, marine science, and lakelands restoration, witness the interconnectedness between nature, community, and stewardship. This 80-minute video showcases the interwoven narratives of Lake Merritt's rich history and the collective commitment to its preservation. Celebrate the lasting legacy of conservation embodied by America's First Wildlife Refuge and be inspired to take part in safeguarding our natural world.  

Video by John Kirkmire.
​Produced by Katie Noonan, David Wofford, John Kirkmire
Commentators:  Clay Anderson, Golden Gate Audubon --- Richard Bailey, Lake Merritt Institute Founder --- Nikki Bas, Oakland City Council --- Olga Bolotina, SF Bay Chapter Sierra Club Chair --- Jim Carlton, Marine Biologist --- Andrew Cohen, Center for Research of Aquatic BioInvasions --- Ellen Corbett, East Bay Regional Park District Board --- Adrian Cotter, Wildlife Banner Artist --- Jim Covel, Monterey Bay Aquarium --- Dan Kalb, Oakland City Council ---  David Lewis, Save SF Bay Executive Director --- Lynette Gibson McElhaney, Oakland City Council --- Katie Noonan, Rotary Nature Center Friends  --- Joel Parrott, Oakland Zoo Executive Director --- Joel Peter, Measure DD Project Manager --- Robert Raburn, BART Director --- James Robinson, Lake Merritt Institute Exec. Director --- Dee Rosario, East Bay Regional Park District Board --- Libby Schaaf, Oakland Mayor --- Susan Schwartzenberg, Exploratorium --- Rob Stewart, Lake Merritt Breakfast Club Exec. Director --- Damon Tighe, California Center for Natural History --- Ken-ichi Ueda, iNaturalist co-Founder --- David Wofford, Rotary Nature Center Friends  --- Pam Young, Golden Gate Audubon Exec. Director

150th is intended for non-commercial, educational purposes only. 
​All rights reserved.

150th Anniversary Documentary

150th Time Stamps 
01:30​ 150th Anniversary Intro by Mayor Schaaf /  02:45​ Samuel Merritt & the Tidal Slough / 05:20​ Paul Covel & the Rotary Nature Center / 13:28​ Birds & Migration / 27:11​ Marine Science / 42:10​ The Refuge: Restoring / 47:25​ Protecting / 57:54​ Enhancing / 1:01:53​ The People Refuge / 1:14:14​ Proclamations: East Bay Regional Parks, Oakland City Council, Office of the Mayor / 1:17:45​ Credits

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Corrina Gould, spokesperson for the Confederated Village of Lisjan / Ohlone discusses how Lake Merritt was once a marshland home to generations of native Americans long before colonialists decimated the native culture & people and stole the land. Her insightful retelling of local history will both educate and inform viewers about the long-lasting scars of displacement. Interviewed 09/17/2020.

Banner art by Adrian Cotter; Banner design by Kerstin Firmin

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Lake Merritt is a designated wildlife refuge

California Wildlife Act       
Statues of California        
​Eighteenth Session Chapter CCXXIV 
An Act to prevent the destruction of fish and game in, upon and around the waters of Lake Merritt or Peralta, in the County of Alameda.                   Approved March 18, 1870 

The People of the State of California, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: 

Section 1
From and after the passage of this Act, it shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, kill, capture, or in any manner destroy, any fish in the waters of Lake Merritt or Peralta, in the County of Alameda, except by the use of a hook and line; but it shall be unlawful to use any set lines, night lines or crawls in said lake.  
Section 2
And be it further enacted, that from and after the passage of this Act, it shall be unlawful for any person to take, kill or destroy, in any manner whatever, the grouse, any species of wild duck, crane, heron, swan, pelican, snip, or any wild animal or game, of any kind or species whatever, upon, in or around Lake Merritt or Peralta, in the County of Alameda, and within one hundred rods from high water mark upon the land around said lake.  
Section 3
Any person violating any of the provisions of this Act shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof before any Justice of the Peace of said county, or Police Judge of any city within said county, shall be punished by a fine of not exceeding five hundred dollars, and in default of payment of such fine, shall be imprisoned in the county jail of said county, or within a city prison within said county, not more than six months nor less than one month.  
Section 4
The fines collected under this Act shall be paid into the county treasury, in all cases prosecuted before a Justice of the Peace, and into the city treasury in all cases of prosecution before a Police Judge of any city within the county.  
Section 5
This Act shall take effect and be in full force on and after its passage.