WRMP monitoring data can help to inform the planning, implementation, and monitoring of shovel-ready projects, previously-implemented projects, and reference sites, and provide the context of larger-scale regional conditions. Real-time planning data can help to minimize the costs of permit driven monitoring and facilitate the increased pace of restoration project planning.

While the WRMP can inform several stages of the adaptive management process that support shovel-ready projects, it is not a program directly tied to project implementation. The WRMP also provides contextual information about regional conditions that will make permit-driven monitoring more cost-effective and speed the pace of wetland restoration project planning.

As of June 2025, the WRMP is: 

1. 1. Conducting regional analyses of wetland extent and characteristics from the Baylands Habitat Map 2020.
   2. Conducting California Rapid Assessment Methods (CRAM) assessments of WRMP Priority Network Sites to establish a baseline understanding of wetland conditions. 
   3. Deploying Sediment Elevation Tables-Marker Horizons (SET-MHs) in underrepresented sub-regions and conducting region-wide SET-MH data collection to detect if marshes are drowning.
   4. Monitoring wetland fish and fish habitat.
   5. Monitoring vegetation within the WRMP monitoring site network.
   6. Surveying wetland decision-makers to understand the process of wetland decision-making.
   7. Evaluating public access to the shoreline and the benefits wetland restoration projects provide to communities.

The California Wetland Monitoring Workgroup developed a peer-reviewed framework called the Wetland and Riparian Area Monitoring Plan (WRAMP) to improve the quality and consistency of wetland monitoring. The WRMP drew upon the WRAMP framework to develop its monitoring matrix of measurement indicators, which are categorized into three levels: 

• • Level 1: Regional map-based inventories 
  • Level 2: Probabilistic surveys that collect data at representative subsets of sites 
  • Level 3: Site-specific monitoring

The WRMP collects data at some restoration project sites as part of its Monitoring Site Network. New restoration projects can also use WRMP data from other sites to identify target reference conditions that contextualize progress for the new project. Restoration managers can use WRMP products like the Baylands Habitat Map to collect and report the status and trends of site characteristics like vegetated habitats.

The WRMP collects data at some restoration project sites as part of its Monitoring Site Network. New restoration projects can also use WRMP data from other sites to identify target reference conditions that contextualize progress for the new project. Restoration managers can use WRMP products like the Baylands Habitat Map to collect and report the status and trends of site characteristics like vegetated habitats.

CRAM is an important part of the WRMP’s  monitoring protocols and constitutes Level 2 of the WRAMP framework mentioned above. The WRMP uses CRAM to assess wetland sites at regular time intervals. The WRMP also develops standardized methods to assess the Bay’s wetland health and resiliency in other ways, including through regional mapping and detailed measurements of the water, animals, and plants at specific wetland sites.

Project implementers are not required to fund the WRMP. Project implementers and land managers  are welcome to cost-share WRMP data collection or products that will directly benefit their project. 

The WRMP aims to meet decision-makers’ information needs to improve the cost effectiveness of site specific permit-driven monitoring. However, the WRMP does not have authority over post-construction monitoring requirements, which often come from the funder and/or regulatory agencies. The WRMP coordinates information sharing with regulating authorities to encourage opportunities for regulatory use of WRMP products.

The WRMP data portal is being designed to accommodate and link to data from existing programs and databases. As datasets are prioritized based on salience to future analysis, they will be added to the data portal. Furthermore, there will be options for people to upload a file or link to another dataset to minimize the need to enter data in multiple places.

In addition to this website which contains links to the data for each metric, WRMP staff based at SFEI manage the Geospatial Data Catalog for sharing and accessing the datasets and related contextual information (metadata).

A few key takeaways from developing the program include: 

• • Communicate effectively to broader audiences at an earlier stage for added input. 
  • Engage Tribal representatives early in the process.
  • Building trust through deliberative engagement is a slow process!
  • Identify early wins for the program and find ways to “start small” within a framework of a larger vision.