bair island is the largest undeveloped island in the san francisco bay and was used for farming, grazing and salt production since the 19th century. a residential development called south shores had been proposed to build a housing estate with 4000 houses on the marshland. it was approved by the redwood city council, but a citizens referendum narrowly defeated the project in 1982 by just 44 votes. the peninsula open space trust purchased the property in 1996 and deeded the site to be part of the don edwards national wildlife refuge, and the bair island ecological reserve was established in 1997. in 2013, a pedestrian bridge was opened to connect to trails around the island to allow access to the naturally restored wetlands. in 2017, tour guides began leading pedestrians on the trails and showing the effects of wetland restoration. some species that have flourished since the restoration are the california ridgway's rail, pickleweed, and pelicans.