Humboldt Bay is one of the most pristine and biologically important estuaries on the West Coast, hosting an incredibly diverse array of species, including 141 invertebrate species, 110 fish species, 251 bird species, and 30 mammal species. The Bay is a critical link for migrating and wintering water birds in the chain of coastal wetlands from the Arctic Circle to South America, and it annually supports millions of waterbirds, shorebirds, raptors, and songbirds. It also supplies a large portion of the oysters harvested in California, with 2/3 of those harvested for human consumption originating in Humboldt Bay.

This ecological treasure is at great risk of harm, however, with many kinds of pollution finding its way into its waters today. And with efforts underway to develop the Bay into a major industrial port, these problems threaten to become much worse. EPIC's Humboldt Bay Initiative seeks to prevent further harm from existing sources of pollution and to ensure that all future plans for the Bay include full protection of this magnificent estuary.