• Protect Our Baylands! Say NO to airport expansion that harms our wetlands and wildlife.
• Endangered Species at Risk: Expansion threatens the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse, Ridgeway’s Rail, and many more.
• Noise Pollution: Bigger planes mean louder, disruptive noise affecting health and local communities.
• Save Our Trails: Expansion plans could block essential trails and disrupt recreational spaces.
• Green Space: The Baylands are crucial for education, recreation, and nature—let’s keep them intact!
• Carbon Footprint: Expanding the runway means increased operations resulting in more carbon emissions and dependency on leaded fuel aviation.
• Support Sustainable Aviation: We are for eco-friendly solutions like eVTOL aircraft, not harmful runway expansion.
• Voice Your Opinion: Leave feedback to the City Council in addition to signing!

This petition calls for the protection of the Baylands, the Duck Pond, and all relevant creeks and trails from the Palo Alto Airport expansion.  The city of Palo Alto is currently considering different ideas in updating the Palo Alto Airport. Although some of these ideas are promising, such as the complete discontinuation of using leaded gas, installing solar panels, and charging abilities for electric aircraft; some ideas are concerning.

These ideas are about expanding the airport. Some of the expansion options being currently considered would impact the Baylands habitat, including filling the Duck Pond, the location of the Environmental Volunteers EcoCenter building (formerly the Sea Scout building) and a Levee recently created to offset flooding.

In light of new FAA recommendations, the airport is exploring many different expansion opportunities. One of the proposed operations is lengthening the runway for larger planes such as Pilatus PC-12. This cannot come at the cost of the Baylands, and if it does, the project alternatives (except for Alternative #1 to do nothing) cannot move forward for the following reasons: (1) increased operations results in increased noise pollution. Aircraft engines produce among the loudest human-made noises in existence. Jet engine noise is typically in the range of 120-140 decibels. According to the World Health Organization, aircraft noise exposure above 45 dB is associated with adverse health effects. Flight paths are unfairly concentrated over some neighborhoods instead of others. Aircraft noise disproportionately impacts low income communities and communities of color in the airport’s vicinity. In the Baylands, and surrounding communities- especially in historically marginalized and redlined communities, such as East Palo Alto. The wide variety of birds and small mammals that live in the Baylands are especially sensitive to noise pollution as it “interferes with animal communication, mating behavior, foraging behavior, and spatial orientation.” (2) the increased emissions from these larger leaded fuel planes as a result of this elongated runway have adverse affects the health of local communities and the biodiversity of the Baylands. (3) Habitat loss to the flora and fauna of the Baylands, especially to critically endangered species, such as the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse, Ridgeway’s Rail, and Western Burrowing Owl. These species are already endangered because of wetland development and habitat loss. According to local environmental studies, over 150 species of birds rely on this habitat. It is home to over 15 endangered species, and serves as a critical stopover for migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway. (4) Community disturbances as this also inhibits the ability for the community to enjoy and appreciate the serenity of the Baylands, one of the few undeveloped marsh areas at Silicon Valley’s fingertips. Some alternatives obstruct the San Francisquito Creek trail and Duck Pond. The disruption to the trail also works to further the division between the communities of East Palo Alto and Palo Alto as 

(5) The Baylands and Duck Pond serve as a vital recreational space for our community and escape from urban life. This area prompts a healthier lifestyle offering opportunities for hiking, biking, birdwatching, and simply enjoying nature. Many non-profit agencies, including Environmental Volunteers, Friendship Circle and Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, use this area for educational field trips and nature walks. Many public and private schools use this area for educational field trips as well; including K-12, middle school, high school and college students.

This petition calls for the protection of the Baylands, the Duck Pond, and all relevant creeks and trails from airport expansion. Sustainable infrastructure and vertiport development are still needed, however, these advances to transition away from the era of leaded fuel aviation can not be snidely coupled with unnecessary runway expansion that obstructs and destroys the vicinity of the Baylands. Electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft rely not on a runway but on vertiport development.

Please sign this petition to keep the Palo Alto Baylands Preserve and Duck Pond untouched!

Leave feedback to the City Council at: tinyurl.com/PAairport

This petition was written by Avroh Shah and Anika Desphande.