Bolsa Chica Dune Habitat Enhancement

This project plans to expand dune habitat at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, including the rare dune plant Coastal Wooly Head. In addition, the project will increase nesting and foraging areas for the endangered California Least Terns, threatened Western Snowy Plovers, and other migrating resident shorebirds and waterfowl.

The initiative’s goal is three-fold: (1) remove non-native plants, trash, debris and other pollutants from the Bolsa Chica Wetlands to increase habitat for rare dune plants and to improve water quality of the wetlands and adjacent marine areas; (2) expand habitat for migrating and resident shorebirds and waterfowl; and (3) educate youth and the general public through public outreach and participation in on-the ground restoration work at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.

Students in middle school, high school and college as well as after-school program participants will be the principal target audience for the project.  This project will enable the Bolsa Chica Conservancy to extend its reach to underserved communities and organizations that serve at-risk youth such as the Orange County Conservation Corps (OCCC) and the Sunburst Academy, plus new schools, community, church and school groups in neighboring locales.  In particular, this project will provide an opportunity for OCCC and Sunburst Academy students to access educational resources available at the Interpretive Center while they work toward their high school diplomas and supporting our restoration initiatives.