San Diego County Marine Protected Area (MPA) Wetland Restoration Project

The Batiquitos Lagoon is a 544-acre State Ecological Reserve and State Marine Conservation Area with over 19 special-status species including the California least tern, western snowy plover, and light-footed Ridgway’s rail. Batiquitos suffers from invasion of multiple non-native and invasive plant that have degraded the habitat of the lagoon and its upland transition areas. Left uncontrolled, invasive vegetation will further encroach on the limited and fragmented natural habitats that exist in and around Batiquitos Lagoon.

The project focus area is approximately 33.57 acres of riparian and wetland habitat adjacent to the northern portion of the Batiquitos Lagoon Ecological Reserve. The project is expanding to include strategic restoration sites totaling approximately one acre that will benefit 60 acres of riparian habitat through natural migration of native plants once installed at the chosen sites. The Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation uses their cadre of volunteers, and relationships with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (the landowner), the City of Carlsbad, and the Nature Collective to assist with invasive plant and tree treatment and removal. This project restores habitat using a multi-year phased approach, with a focus on replacing non-native trees (such as eucalyptus and palms) and other plants with appropriate native species to increase resilience against climate change. Success and long-term management of the project will be the Lagoon Foundation’s ongoing maintenance program, with an emphasis on community involvement and volunteerism.