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Newport Bay (UNB) in Newport Beach is an estuary - a place where
fresh and salt water meet and mix. It is one of only a few remaining
estuaries in Southern California and is the home of nearly 200
species of birds, including several endangered species, as well as
numerous species of mammals, fish, other critters and native plants.
The Bay is an important stopover for migrating birds on the Pacific
Flyway and up to 30,000 birds can be seen on any day during the
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close proximity to the 73 Freeway makes Upper Newport Bay easily
accessible to residents of Orange County and beyond. Many people
come here to hike, cycle, canoe, kayak, fish or simply enjoy nature.
The UNB Ecological Reserve was created in 1975 as result of the
purchase of 527 acres of land in and around the bay from the Irvine
Company and the transfer of 214 acres of tidal wetlands from the
County of Orange to the State. An additional 11 acres of land in Big
Canyon was added in 1982 bringing the total acreage of the
Ecological Reserve to 752 acres. It is managed by the California
Department of Fish and Game (DFG). In 1990 the County of Orange
acquired 140 acres of bluffs on the north and north-west sides of
the bay for the creation of a Regional Park. The Regional Park was
rededicated as the UNB Nature Preserve in 2000. It is managed by OC
Parks.
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