The donated land, once home to a racing track, currentlyconsists of two preserve areas believed to have previouslysupported an extensive vernal pool and wetland complex. Catellus isnow restoring and rebuilding the habitat. The enhanced property,the largest vernal pool complex in the South Bay, will beincorporated into the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay WildlifeRefuge, the first urban federal wildlife refuge established in theUS.

Under its agreement, Catellus will manage and track ecologicaldata at the site for 10 years to ensure successful establishment,after which it will set up an endowment to fund future maintenanceby the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The company has alsosupplemented the donation with additional vernal pools to furtherensure the long-term success of the habitat.

Thus far, Catellus has recreated a series of shallow vernalpools that border the Pacific Commons property and constructed an1,800-foot causeway to preserve connectivity between the pools andto allow the resident wildlife, which includes several endangeredand protected plant and animal species, to safely migrate under theroadway.