Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Tr For Long Beach & Seal Beach

Programs: Advocacy: the los cerritos wetlands land trust serves as active advocate for the protection of los cerritos wetlands and the surrounding san gabriel river estuary. In 2017, the organization executed environmental advocacy campaigns and provided oversight, collaboration, expertise, and defense of the wetlands in the following areas. We fought for and achieved an environmentally friendly outcome to the seasp (southeast area development specific plan) zoning update. Specific benefits include the addition of bird safe measures, a developer funded mitigation fund, lower building heights and the removal of a road that would have cut through fragile wetlands. We worked with beach oil mineral partners to ensure their proposed mitigation bank would enhance habitat and expeditiously transfer their fragile lands into the public trust.

restoration, stewardship & general mission: in 2017, the los cerritos wetlands land trust engaged in numerous activities to support the overall mission of preserving, protecting, and stewarding los cerritos wetlands as a healthy, natural open space. We sponsored extensive habitat restoration, a new and improved native plant demonstration garden, contributions to trail-building efforts, and expanded the number of community based restoration events.

community outreach & public education: the los cerritos wetlands land trust offers numerous programs in outdoor and ecological education. Among these is the unique community service of free monthly hikes and low-cost tours throughout the wetlands and river estuary, led by trained ecologists and naturalists. These experts educate groups of all ages about the history and importance of los cerritos wetlands. The organization also conducts wetlands field trips for elementary classrooms with an emphasis on 3rd grade students. We collaborate with parks, recreation, and marine in their hands-on be s. A. F. E. Summer youth program, introducing the tidal salt marsh ecosystem to young explorers from underserved communities.