East County residents will learn some fascinating facts about their environment this Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 11 a.m., when the East Bay Regional Park District unveils new interpretive panels along the Marsh Creek Trail. The event takes place on the Marsh Creek Trail just south of the bridge crossing over to the Big Break Regional Trail (Ironhouse) overlooking the Dutch Slough project site (Emerson Dairy).

The Marsh Creek Trail is a 6.5 mile stretch of trail that passes through Oakley and Brentwood. Until now, the trail (part of the East Bay Regional Park District) had directional signs and information at the standard district bulletin boards, but no further details beyond the trail map for visitors. Now, thanks to a cooperative effort of several local agencies, cities and organizations, more wonders of the Marsh Creek habitat will be revealed to visitors strolling the trail.

The panels were funded by a grant through the State Coastal Conservancy to the Delta Science Center (DSC), the Contra Costa County Resource Conservation District (RCD) and the Natural Heritage Institute (NHI). The purpose of the grant was to fund public outreach, education, watershed planning and restoration planning in Marsh Creek. The information on the panels increases public awareness of Marsh Creek, its watershed and the resources in it.

"It is our mandate and great pleasure to bolster all citizens' understanding, enjoyment and appreciation for district parks and trails in Eastern Contra Costa County," said EBRPD Naturalist Michael Moran. "Marsh Creek and the Marsh Creek Trail are treasures that enrich life in the cities of Oakley and Brentwood. These panels can help local folks appreciate the wonderful history, resources and future this creek provides for the community."

The interpretive panels will highlight the flora and fauna of the region, while explaining the relationship between the watershed, creek, wildlife and community. Specific panels focus on the riverbank habitat; wetlands restoration projects; and salmon migration challenges. Visitors will learn to identify varieties of vegetation and learn the importance of native plants in the local ecosystem.

Marsh Creek originates in the Morgan Territory Regional Preserve and drains east and north toward Big Break Regional Shoreline. The Marsh Creek Regional Trail winds along Marsh Creek through the local communities. The paved, multi-use trail is 6.5 miles long and extends from Concord Avenue in Brentwood to the wave-lapped Delta shores of Big Break.

Trail maps are available at staging areas and online at www.ebparks.org. More information on Marsh Creek Watershed can be found online at www.deltasciencecenter.com or www.ccrcd.org/marsh.html.