Habitat restoration to nurture a thriving coastline

Over 90% of California’s wetlands are lost to development.

Our lowlands restoration and monitoring efforts strengthen biodiversity, help curb the impact of climate change, and improve the status of our waters.

 
In partnership With

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  • Western Snowy Plover

    The Western Snowy Plover is a federally listed threatened species that finds the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve as one of the few remaining locations in California in which to nest. These inconspicuous white bellied birds prefer to nest in open, sandy, vegetation-free areas, where their attempts are frequently thwarted by human disturbance. Their breeding nests at Bolsa Chica are closely monitored and fenced off to prevent predation.

  • California Least Tern

    Like the Snowy Plover, the federally endangered California Least Tern prefers to nest their speckled young in an undisturbed stretch of sand near an estuary. The loss of nesting habitat to development and heavy interference by beach-goers directly threatens their survival. Secure nest site management is critical to safeguard their future and protect their integrity.

The remaining 9% of California’s coastal wetlands are critical for migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway, wildlife, and marine life. Register for a seasonal restoration event today.

Nest site restoration projects take place the third Saturdays of the month, September-February, after nesting season ends and before the birds return.

Nest site restoration volunteer registration is closed for the spring and summer 2024 nesting season. Check back here in August for news about the next nest site restoration events.

Thank you to over 50 volunteers who came out to help the Amigos de Bolsa Chica at nest sites 1, 2, 3 and north Tern Island in 2023-24. The efforts of volunteers are critical to help care for sensitive birds and their habitats at Bolsa Chica. Registration is required by the CA Department of Fish & Wildlife.

 

At $144 million, Bolsa Chica’s tidal wetland restoration is the largest coastal wetland restoration ever undertaken in Southern California history.

 
 
 

Nearly 600 acres of marine and wetland habitat were created and rehabilitated.

What had historically been a vast estuarine ecosystem was restored, with over 370 acres reintroduced to full tidal influence and another 252 acres reserved for future restoration once oil operations cease.

Most of the affected area had been used for oil production for over 65 years.

In 1900, the construction of a dam cut off Bolsa Chica’s access to the ocean, destroying the tidal nature of our wetlands. Since then, the area has been used for agriculture, military coastal artillery, and oil production.

 
 

Restoration reconnected Bolsa Chica to the ocean for the first time in over 100 years.

From 2004 to 2006, 8 state and federal agencies collaborated to excavate 1.57 million cubic meters of material from the lowlands to create a new full tidal basin, reintroducing daily tidal influence from the ocean.

Three nesting sites were created for threatened and endangered migratory birds.

Intensively maintained and monitored by the Amigos and adjacent organizations, Bolsa Chica’s fenced off nest sites provide the undisturbed breeding space needed by some of our coastline’s most threatened species.

 
 

Long-Term Accountability

Contracted by the State Lands Commission, a monitoring team including Merkel & Associates have monitored species and habitats at the Bolsa Chica following the construction of its full-tidal basin for nearly a decade. Additional ongoing, annual monitoring reports on the Western Snowy Plover have been conducted for more than two decades. All reports are free to the public.

Assembled by Rachel Woodfield of Merkel & Associates