Dear Erin,

April is always very busy for us in the environmental sector. Celebrating Earth Month or Day, nearing the final rush to get the young native plants into the ground before the hotter months come blazing in, and to top it off, school tours are in full swing! May is a time to take a deep breath, practice some mindfulness, and refocus on what matters. Won't you join us and take a stroll through Bolsa Chica with Bequi in our newest blog post? Talking about what matters, we've also been in the news recently (both written and video) about the newly released Sustainable Alternatives Study which in part looks at the threat of sea-level rise. Also, Bolsa Chica isn't in a bubble as we all know, so what does the CA's Pathways to 30x30 document mean for Bolsa Chica? What is the 30x30 initiative anyway? Find a brief overview and how to find out more about it below.

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Take a walk on the wild side with our enchanting storyteller Bequi! Learn what steps you can take to protect Bolsa Chica in our new blog post.

Protecting What You Love While Visiting Bolsa Chica



"You park your car in the lot off Warner Ave, grab a water bottle and head out towards the trail. It’s a clear, warm day with a light breeze, perfect for a hike. On the footbridge you look down into the water and see a school of fish just below the surface. Looking over the other side of the bridge you see two large white Moon Jellies drifting with the current, the worries of the day begin to melt away. Continuing across the bridge onto the trail a rabbit darts from one bush to another and you see the smooth track of a snake that recently crossed the trail. Big exhales feel good as you release the stress of a busy day and each inhale brings clean, earthy smells of Coastal Sage Scrub plants."

As the Bolsa Chica Land Trust works to ensure that Bolsa Chica remains a biodiverse and healthy ecosystem, we are faced with the fact that the earth's atmosphere and oceans are warming at an alarming rate, and that the resulting rise in sea level and extended drought threaten the California coast as well as the rest of the planet.

The OC Register and Spectrum News 1 both picked up the story about the Sustainable Alternatives Study for the lowland wetland system at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve last month. This study is important for the future of not just Bolsa Chica, but the wider community as a whole. 

“Bolsa Chica acts as a giant sponge,” said Kim Kolpin, BCLT's executive director. “How good a job we do will determine its resiliency. A healthy wetlands means a healthy barrier from sea-level rise.”

To read more about the unique story of Bolsa Chica, the threat of sea-level rise and what this means for Bolsa Chica visit the below links.

May is American Wetlands Month and a good time to talk about CA's Pathways to 30X30 and how it affects Bolsa Chica.

On Dec. 15, 2021, the environmental and conservation movement in California reached a milestone: the Pathways to 30X30 draft document was released by the state Natural Resources Agency. This document is a new “cornerstone of the State’s conservation efforts.” Within its 72 pages lies the outline of priorities, opportunities, and focus by which California may protect 30% of its lands and waters by 2030.

There are three Key Objectives of the initiative:

1. Protect California’s unique biodiversity

2. Expand equitable access to nature and its benefits

3. Conserve places that help California achieve carbon neutrality and/or build climate resilience

What does this mean for Bolsa Chica? The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is already protected by the State and contributes 1,400 acres to the current total of protected lands and waters. But, as we know all too well, protecting Bolsa Chica from development was just the beginning. Bolsa Chica needs to be cared for and restored to thrive and maintain its amazing biodiversity, and it needs to be equipped to be resilient to rising ocean tides. Thankfully, the 30x30 initiative embraces restoration, stewardship and adaptive management into its core. This means that we can expect more support for the restoration needs here at Bolsa Chica.

May Bird of the Month: Tree Swallow Chicks

Safe in their nest high in a dead tree’s snag, Tree Swallow chicks eagerly anticipate their parents bringing them a meal of insects. Dead trees like this provide cavity nesting birds like Tree Swallows a place to nest. In urban areas most dead trees are removed which makes the dead trees at Bolsa Chica valuable habitat. The adult Tree Swallows, with their shiny, iridescent greenish-blue upperparts and white underparts, are at Bolsa Chica in the spring and summer.

5.75” long; 14.5 “ wingspan; 0.7 oz

photo: Roy Holden

Reminders When You Visit Bolsa Chica

Here are some things to remember during your visit:

• Please stay on the trails. Not only could you disturb nesting birds, but snakes are often not far off the trails.
• Enjoy the flowers, but please do not pick them.
• Do not feed the animals.
• Do not litter. Please pack out your trash, including food scraps.
• No bikes.
• No dogs.
• No drones.
• Enjoy being with nature!
• If you see any BCLT Stewards working along the trail, say hi! We are happy to answer any questions.

Support Bolsa Chica Today!

Photo Credits:

banner- Peter Bryant, sunset- Bequi Howarth, Kim overlooking Inner Bolsa Bay- Spectrum News 1 video image, landscape of wooden walkbridge- Betty Bennett, sand dune trail- E. Chin, Stewards- James Huang, Miracle docent with kids, Elegant Terns on beach- Marinka Horack, Tree Sparrow chicks- Steve Smith