Ormond Beach Wetlands: Sod Farm Acquisition, Part 2

This project aims to acquire the 561 acre Southland Sod Farm for inclusion in the Ormond Beach wetlands.
The property is the largest and most critical acquisition remaining to be secured before efforts can begin to restore one of the largest coastal wetland complexes in Southern California. Historically, the Ormond Beach area contained a diverse set of habitats including sandy beaches, coastal lagoons and estuaries, fore- and back-dune areas, brackish and seasonal freshwater marshes, freshwater drainages, grasslands, transitional uplands, and over two miles of beach. While the wetlands and other habitats found in the coastal area have undergone substantial alteration as a result of industrial, agricultural, and urban development, the existing natural communities are a significant resource for several plant and animal species.

Ormond Beach is considered by many wetland experts to be the most important wetland restoration opportunity in Southern California and is one of the highest priority projects for the Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project. Initial restoration plans for the 1,000-acre Ormond Beach wetland (which contains the property) include reestablishing the historic hydrologic linkage with the adjoining 1,200-acre Mugu Lagoon wetlands. This combined 2,200-acre wetland complex would constitute the largest coastal wetlands in Southern California.