Shollenberger Park is a 165acre wetland park located in Petaluma, California. Together with the 80acre Alman Marsh, and 260acre Ellis Creek which opened to the public in July 2009, a total of 505acre are accessible to the public. The entirety is referred to as the "Petaluma Wetlands".Named after Richard Shollenberger, a park chief, the park is part of one of the last wetlands of its kind in the country. It is a bird watching paradise, attracting 225 species of birds, including threatened species. The Audubon Society has ranked Shollenberger Park as an important birding site, and the San Francisco Chronicle ranks it as a top destination for nature lovers. The park is home to rare animal and plant species, such as the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse.The park attracts 150,000 visitors annually and serves as an outdoor classroom for children as well as a wildlife research location. The Petaluma Wetlands Alliance, a committee of the Madrone Audubon, does habitat restoration, gives bird and wildlife tours, and provides a third grade educational program consistent with California Educational curriculum. Point Blue Conservation Science, a non-profit wildlife conservation and research organization, is located adjacent to the park.The area was formerly known as Cader Lane Ponds.
