WETLANDS

SACRED WETLANDS

Wetland habitats are important to the environment, serving essential functions in an ecosystem, including acting as water filters, providing flood and erosion control, and furnishing food and homes for fish and wildlife. Huntington Beach is home to several wetlands that are perfect for walking and getting close to nature.

The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (bolsachica.org) is the largest saltwater marsh along the coast of California and the most well-known local wetlands. The 1,300-acre region includes five miles of trails and tons of bird watching opportunities. Make sure you stop o at the Bolsa Chica Wetlands Interpretive Center (3842 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach) to learn more about the area. You'll also find trail access from a parking lot on the inland side of Pacific Coast Highway, a mile south of Warner Avenue across from the entrance to Bolsa Chica State Beach. Both locations o er

SHIPLEY NATURE CENTER BY STEPHANIE HELGUERA

free limited parking for nature enthusiasts. Tours of the wetlands are also given by different conservation groups: Amigos de Bolsa Chica and Bolsa Chica Land Trust.

Magnolia Marsh is located between Magnolia Street and the Huntington Beach Energy Project. Re-creation of the historical marsh channels and restoration of full tidal influence were completed in 2010, and a raised observation deck now extends out over a tidal pond.

Talbert Marsh o ers the public a multipurpose trail on approximately 25 acres from Brookhurst Street to the Santa Ana River Trail. Around 90 species of birds have been observed at Talbert Marsh. In addition to year-round residents, thousands of birds use the Huntington wetlands as a rest stop during their long migrations along the Pa-

BOLSA CHICA ECOLOGICAL RESERVE

BY JOE KATCHKA

cific Flyway from their nesting grounds in the Arctic to their wintering grounds in South America.

The Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center (21900 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, wwccoc.org) has a number of worthwhile programs that support the environment and native wildlife. Open seven days a week and 365 days a year, WWCC is dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of sick, injured, and orphaned animals in California, some of which are threatened/ endangered species. The center cares for birds impacted by oil spills; it rears abandoned eggs from Western Snowy Plovers before releasing them into the wild; and it provides qualified home care for Hummingbirds with the goal to re-nest or reunite fledglings. WWCC welcomes volunteers, which are essential to its operations.

30,000

people visit each year

8,000

years ago, Native Americans first made the estuary their home

BOLSA CHICA BY THE NUMBERS

321

species of birds spotted in the past decade—a true birder’s paradise

100

or so plants and trees found in 5 ecological zones: salt marsh, coastal sand dunes, coastal sage scrub, freshwater wetlands, and riparian woodlands

18

rare species, including the California brown pelican, American bald eagle, and the appropriately named silvery legless lizard

5

miles of public hiking trails with scenic overlooks