Friends of Colorado Lagoon
FOCL POINTS Friends of Colorado Lagoon is a coalition of concerned citizens working to preserve and restore Colorado Lagoon
Friends of Colorado Lagoon’s FOCL Points Newsletter No. 22
June 2014
FOCL Invites You to Celebrate With Us! June 28 from 9:30-11:30am Bridge at Colorado Lagoon Friends of Colorado Lagoon is proud to celebrate the successful community-based restoration of the Western Arm of the lagoon, made possible by a $500,000 grant from the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy. Join restoration project partners, City officials, environmental groups, volunteers and neighbors for community spirit and recognition to honor this momentous time in the Lagoon’s history. We will also take a look at what’s in store for the final phase of the lagoon’s restoration by establishing full tidal connection with the ocean to restore optimum health for all. Continued on page 3
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June 2014
Over 500 Students Fish for Knowledge
2007
Last May, FOCL Naturalists led over 500 students from Fremont Elementary School as a part of their Science Lab. About 17 different classes were able to study the various fish species while learning how the Colorado Lagoon is a special habitat in their neighborhood.
FOCL Education Director Taylor Parker talks about marine organisms (left). A beach seine collects lagoon critters for students to see up close (right). Photos by Tidal Influence.
Nature Spotlight Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) One of the more exciting wildlife sightings this year was a killdeer family raised in the Northern arm of the lagoon. Killdeer parents are indeed vociferous as their name suggests, loudly persuading people and predators to divert attention away from the nest. These charismatic shore birds are common in coastal areas and can be heard tweeting “kill-deer� while darting along the shore.
(Photos by Dave Pirazzi) Page 2
June 2014
Summer Science Shack is Back!
2007
Saturdays and Sundays from 1pm-5pm Now until August 31 The lagoon is the perfect place to spend your summer weekends. Join FOCL Naturalists for this free and casual family-friendly activity to discover this local wetland while beating the summer heat. You could hunt for fish in the shallows or challenge your friend to a game of ladder ball. The lagoon is yours to explore thanks to support from Southern California Edison. Continued from Celebrate page 1
During the course of the Western Arm restoration project from June 2012 to now, 2025 volunteers contributed over 4100 hours during 83 restoration events. They planted nearly 10,000 plants of 60 species representing the various local ecosystems from salt marsh, dunes, upland coastal sage scrub and riparian habitat types. This diversity of habitat types mirrors the diversity of volunteers from students to retired neighbors, who came out to participate in the transformation of the Western Arm. In addition to planting, volunteers were instrumental in transforming the site by watering young shrubs; dispersing wildflower seeds; mulching the area to improve soil conditions; preventing erosion by installing hay wattles; installing protective fencing around the site; and ridding the area of trash and debris. Bringing native plants and wildlife back to this urban area has not been an easy task, but the fruits of this labor are evident in the array of colors, textures, fragrances, and wildlife that has returned to the Colorado Lagoon. The Friends of Colorado Lagoon would like to thank the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, the City of Long Beach, and community volunteers for joining together for this righteous and rewarding effort. Please join us on June 28th at 9:30am to celebrate this wonderful success and to look forward towards the lagoon's bright future as a fully-restored wetland.
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June 2014
2007
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage
Friends of Colorado Lagoon 6475 East PCH #252 Long Beach, CA 90803 (562) 261-9058 www.coloradolagoon.org
PAID Long Beach, CA Permit #25
Upcoming Activities Lagoon Celebration Saturday, June 28 9:30am-11:30am Join FOCL, our partners, and the community to celebrate the restoration of the Lagoon’s Western Arm. Ceremonies located at the lagoon bridge near Appian Way & Colorado Street. Enjoy refreshments and community spirit!
Summer Science Shack Saturdays and Sundays from 1-5pm May 31 – August 31 Beat the summer heat at the lagoon while learning about this neighborhood wetland with FOCL Naturalists.
Special thanks to our partners in restoration!
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