Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust Joins Environmental Stewardship Program

by Kerrie Aley *

Ms. Aley is a community advocate who's been involved in Belmont Heights area issues.

In October 2009, El Dorado Audubon signed a similar stewardship agreement with the LCWA and has been doing scientific bird surveys and walks for nearly a year.

El Dorado Audubon's agreement with the LCWA is also part of a stewardship program to share the wetlands with the public and to collect scientific data which can be used in restoration planning. Audubon has already collected one year's worth of data and over 100 bird species have been observed. Now the LCWLT will begin sharing the wetlands with the public under a similar agreement.

The day this new agreement was approved, I accompanied Mary Parsell, a member of the Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust (LCWLT) and El Dorado Audubon, on a walk through the Hellman Ranch property (photo above taken by me).

During our walk, we saw a rare Loggerhead Shrike flying over an area abundant with Pickleweed, blooming Southern Tarplant and tall dry mustard fields.

A Greater Yellow Legs bird was observed eating a fish near a dirt road.

We heard native ground squirrels chipping while a rabbit scooted past unidentified mammal droppings (called scat) with undigested fur still intact.

We walked past a beautiful natural section of the San Gabriel River (photo above) as it flows out to the sea and saw small fish swimming in the tidal inlet.

Ms. Parsell told me, "Audubon conducts bird walks in the area that bring leaders to teach people about the importance of wetlands. Topics include history, plants, animals, and ecology; and stress the importance of the connectivity between the San Gabriel River, Los Cerritos Wetlands, Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge and Bolsa Chica Wetlands."

Audubon has begun giving public tours of the area while documenting the existing ecosystem as part of their stewardship program to ensure that wildlife is protected and the wetlands are restored.

Later that day (Aug. 24), the State of California Wildlife Conservation Board approved $5 million in funding for purchase of 100 acres of wetlands located near PCH and 1st street in Seal Beach. This grant allows the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority (LCWA), a joint powers authority of the city of Long Beach, Seal Beach, the State Coastal Conservancy and Rivers & Mountains Authority to purchase 100 acres of the Hellman property.

This 100 acres is in addition to the 66 acres already owned by the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority (LCWA). The city of Long Beach now owns an additional 33 acres [former Tom Dean property] that City Hall says it intends to sell to the LCWA.

If that comes to fruition, it will bring more than 200 acres of the Los Cerritos Wetland into public ownership which will result in the environmental restoration of the area.

Councilman Gary DeLong. whose 3rd district includes portions of the Los Cerritos Wetlands stated that, "As Chairman of the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority, finalizing the purchase of the Hellman Ranch 100 acres has been my top priority. This acquisition is the next step towards acquiring and restoring the entire 400+ Los Cerritos Wetlands ecosystem. Putting in place the Memorandum of Understanding between the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority and the Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust will increase public access to the Los Cerritos Wetlands."

Information on joining the LCWLT and Audubon Bird/Nature Walks:

Wear sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots, long pants, sunscreen, and water. Binoculars are recommended.

Hellman Property -- From Long Beach, take PCH to First Street, turn left on First Street, park off the asphalt on the right hand side of the road. Dates: Wednesdays Sept. 8 & 22, 2010 -- 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.

LCWA Phase I Property Tour -- Learn about birds, plants and marine life Parking: On Second Street, south side of street between D.W.P. (light) and Island Village (light), watch posted signs. Dates: Saturday s Sept. 18 & October 16 2010 - 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m

Bird/Nature Walks Gum Grove Park, Seal Beach -- Check out the Los Cerritos Wetlands from the Orange County side! Gum Grove Park is a long narrow strip of land that overlooks the Hellman property in Seal Beach . From Long Beach , take PCH, turn left on Mar Vista , left on Coastline, right on Catalina, left on Avalon. Avalon dead ends into the parking lot. Dates" Sept. 11 and October 9 2010 -- 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

For information, email eldoradoaudubon@yahoo.com or visit www.eldoradoaudubon.org and/or www.lcwlandtrust.org.

Follow LBReport.com w/

Twitter

RSS

Facebook