Attend a screening of the film Ocean, free of charge, on Tuesday at the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are vital sections of the ocean along California’s coastline where fishing and harvesting are limited or prohibited, creating safe havens for marine life to recover and thrive. After decades of overfishing pushed some species to the brink, these protections have begun to make a real difference—ecosystems are rebounding, and biodiversity is returning.
But the job isn’t finished. We need to expand and strengthen MPAs across the state to ensure long-term ocean health. With the California Fish and Game Commission holding public hearings this month and next, now is a critical moment to advocate for stronger marine protections.
As part of this effort, we’re excited to invite you to a special event during LA Climate Week
Join us for a free screening of Ocean, a powerful documentary by David Attenborough, followed by a panel discussion featuring experts in marine conservation.
This is a unique opportunity to learn, connect, and take action to protect California’s ocean.
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific Date: April 14 Time: 6:30 PM
Meet the Randall Preserve, Southern California’s new and significant piece of coastal open space. It is a remarkable partnership between public agencies and local coastal open-space advocates.
An amazing thing happened a few years ago: a mostly undeveloped coastal bluff area between Huntington Beach and Newport Beach, thanks to neighbors and activists working together, was saved from development. Local residents Frank and Joan Randall pledged a private gift of $50 million to jumpstart the acquisition funding. Additional funding was later secured from public sources, completing the $97 million transaction and placing this rare property in the public trust.
Given how tantalizing the development of coastal open space is to those who wish to exploit it, this is a wonderful outcome, and there will be nature trails and affordable coastal access for those who live throughout Southern California, rather than strip malls and houses.
However, the fight to preserve coastal open space never really stops. Our friends at the Randall Preserve and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) are asking the Newport Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) to permit them to purchase a piece of property that juts into the preserve in order to preserve the open space in its entirety. The MRCA wants NMUSD to negotiate with them for open space and to abandon attempts to develop the property due to the many sensitive, threatened, and endangered species and habitats on-site.
They are asking those who care about coastal open space to write to the school district, urging it to sell the land rather than develop it.
Please email NMUSD and support the negotiations to keep the 11.36 acres under discussion as open space. I sent in my letter, and I hope you send in yours, too.
Some talking points you can use are:
I urge you to pursue the sale or a long-term lease of the 11.36-acre parcel adjacent to the Randall Preserve for permanent open-space protection.
This land represents a rare and irreplaceable coastal habitat. Preserving it would complete the integrity of the preserve, protect sensitive species, and ensure public access to natural coastal space for generations to come. Development would fragment this ecosystem and diminish a unique community asset.
I encourage the Board to work with the MRCA and other conservation partners to explore solutions that allow for long-term environmental stewardship.
This is a unique opportunity to protect a rare open space area, for ourselves and for future generations. You can see how intrusive development would be if it were adjacent to the Randall preserve
Marketplace Marsh, an area that sustains many interesting plants and animals, is an amazing feature of Los Cerritos Wetlands. Check it out for yourself on Saturday, May 2. Our tour is led by environmental educators from Tidal Influence, who will begin with a brief orientation about Los Cerritos Wetlands. They will focus on the interface between the urban edge and the Los Cerritos Wetlands buffer areas. Attendees will participate in a dialogue about how the restoration process can best restore core wetland habitat while balancing human population growth in Southeast Long Beach.
Tour leaders will discuss the history and ownership of various parcels within Los Cerritos Wetlands and lead the walk towards the levee to discuss the reintroduction of tidal flow. After that, using oil roads, we will walk to the old bridge on the levee and discuss the San Gabriel River and the future of bringing water back into the land. Then we will view the City-owned lands, including Marketplace Marsh. After that, we will head back to our meeting place. Bring binoculars, if you have them; we will observe various wildlife.
During this 2-mile urban hike, you will learn about the history of land acquisitions in Los Cerritos Wetlands, and leaders will show us some freshwater marsh habitats that few people have ever viewed. Participants will get a behind-the-scenes look at how wetlands and oil operations co-exist at Los Cerritos Wetlands.
WHAT: Nature walk of the Marketplace Marsh at Los Cerritos Wetlands.
WHEN: Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 8:00 AM. The parking lot gate will open at 7:45 AM and close at 8:10 AM. No latecomers will be admitted to the tour, and all participants must stay for the entire tour, which will conclude by 10:00 AM.
We are kayaking to the Steamshovel Slough area of Los Cerritos Wetlands on March 29th. We have a few spots left. What a fun and interesting way to spend a Sunday morning.
We are delighted to offer a March 29th spring kayaking tour of the Los Cerritos Wetlands, specifically the Steamshovel Slough area. Not only is Steamshovel Slough an amazing area of the Los Cerritos Wetlands, but it is also an example of what much of the wetlands could look like once restored.
The cost to kayak with us is $40 (an amazing deal!) to help cover the rental expenses of kayaks, paddles, life vests, and the tour leaders who guide the trips. Tour leaders are experienced kayakers from LA River Expeditions and environmental educator Katy Dressendorfer.
We meet at Mother’s Beach at 8:30 AM near the children’s playground. Street and metered parking is available, but it can fill up on weekends, so plan to arrive early to find a spot.
Because we subsidize much of the cost of these kayak trips, we need strong attendance to help offset some of the expense. Thus, if you have ever thought about kayaking with us, this is the time to do it. We expect it will be a nice sunny day. We have just a few spots left, so reserve your kayaking experience now.
Rules for kayaking: You must be able to swim. You must have the endurance to handle about 2 hours of kayaking (with some breaks). It is recommended that you have experience kayaking, but novice kayakers are welcome. Please wear proper kayaking attire; you will get splashed (no jeans or tennis shoes). If you are a minor (12 – 17 years of age), you are welcome to join us as long as you meet the above requirements and are accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Learn more or reserve your kayaking spot via our Eventbrite link.
Elizabeth Lambe Executive Director Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust
P.S. Check out the photo of a recent kayak trip to Steamshovel Slough. What a lovely area!
P.P.S. If you miss your chance to kayak with us this upcoming Sunday, don’t worry, there will be additional kayak trips in late summer/early fall.
Raptor Ramble/Gum Grove Nature Walk. Join us to learn about the ongoing restoration of the Southern Los Cerritos Wetlands and the important raptor habitat it will enhance.
This tour will be led by an ecologist directly involved with the Southern Los Cerritos Wetlands Restoration Project. The tour will start with an overview of the progress of the project and proceed with a hike through Gum Grove Park, where we may see raptors or monarch butterflies in the eucalyptus trees. We will hike to a high point along the trail, where we can view the restoration project and the “los cerritos,” or little hills of the region. Next, we will explore the Heron Pointe cultural trail, where we will learn about tribal cultural history and, if we are lucky, come across an endangered least Bell’s vireo in the bioswale. This is a new, limited-time tour, so come check it out!
Bring binoculars if you have them; we will observe many kinds of interesting wildlife.
WHAT: Nature walk of Gum Grove Park at Los Cerritos Wetlands.
WHEN: Saturday, April 4, at 8:00 AM. All participants must stay for the entire tour, which will end by 10:00 AM.
Closed-toe shoes are required for the walk, and kids under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information or to RSVP, click on this link. Following the Saturday nature walk, from 10:30 AM-12:30 PM, the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority will be hosting its monthly wetlands restoration public service event. For those interested in participating, please meet at the corner of 1st St. and Pacific Coast Highway in Seal Beach. From there, an event leader will escort you to the restoration site at the Southern Los Cerritos Wetlands. Attendees will help with the removal of non-native invasive vegetation – all while enjoying the beauty of the wetlands landscape! For details, email iwanttohelp@tidalinfluence.com.
On Saturday, April 11, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Algalita is hosting a Clean Bay Collective Earth Month Open House at their office space along Alamitos Bay. This free, drop-in event is designed to welcome community members to Algalita’s shared learning center to learn how science, education, and community come together.
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on demonstrations, including microscope observations of microplastics, water quality testing, and an inside look at one of the first accredited laboratories in the U.S. that tests for microplastics in drinking water: the Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research. You can also explore the BYO Long Beach store and learn about practical reuse systems in action!
Event details: Clean Bay Collective Open House Date: Saturday, April 11 Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM (drop in anytime) Location: 148 N Marina Drive, Long Beach, CA ALL AGES WELCOME!
For further information, contact Emily at Algalita.
The timeline for the intrusive solar panels proposed near fragile wetlands has changed. When (or if) the project moves forward, there will be a full environmental review.
The Hellman Corporation has decided to pause its proposed wetlands-adjacent solar array project and prepare an Environmental Impact Report, as required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
That’s good news for all of us who were concerned about the impacts of new infrastructure on wetland wildlife (and nearby neighborhoods).
There are threatened and rare species that rely on the Los Cerritos Wetlands to survive. Birds could be negatively impacted by these solar panels, which, despite the promised anti-glare coating, could confuse, weaken, or kill them. Now we will have a better understanding of those impacts and what can be done about them.
Furthermore, the future of Los Cerritos should lean toward restoration and protection, not more intrusive and harmful infrastructure. After all, the vast majority of Southern California wetlands have been lost forever, and we must protect those that remain. The State of California agrees, as evidenced by the $32 million grant awarded to the Southern Los Cerritos Wetlands Restoration Project. Once completed, that project will bring back to life much of the Seal Beach side of Los Cerritos Wetlands.
Much appreciation to those who wrote a letter of support for protecting wetlands, or made time to attend one of the four hearings about the project. You are all superstars, and I appreciate each and every one of you for taking the time to defend the wetlands and make the world a better place.
Also, many thanks to all who read my emails, take time to explore Los Cerritos Wetlands by foot or kayak, and talk to friends and neighbors about this great community and natural resource. It all adds up.
I’ll be in touch, and in the meantime, I urge you to spend some time in Southern California coastal open space this weekend and beyond. We are so lucky to live here!
Gratefully,
Elizabeth Lambe Executive Director Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust
P.S. See below! Check out the shrinkage of Los Cerritos Wetlands over the years. We need to protect those that remain!
Alamitos Bay including Los Cerritos Wetlands were once 2,400 acres.Currently, the Los Cerritos Wetlands is only 500 acres. Let’s not lose any more.
Learn about restoration ecology at Zedler Marsh, a restoration site located within Los Cerritos Wetlands. Explore the different types of plant communities (coastal salt marsh, mulefat scrub, coastal sage scrub) being cultivated for the current and future restoration of the wetlands.
Our walk will begin with a brief orientation about Los Cerritos Wetlands. Tour leaders will discuss the challenges of restoring the Zedler Marsh wetlands area, the techniques they use, and the important role of California native plants. There will be opportunities for birding and other wildlife sightings.
When: Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 8:00 AM. The parking lot gate will open at 7:45 AM and close at 8:10 AM. No latecomers will be admitted to the tour, and all participants must stay for the entire tour, which will conclude by 10:00 AM.
Where: Meet in the driveway/parking area at the corner of 1st Street and PCH in Seal Beach. There will be signs. Due to restoration work, you will be given a pass to park across the street from the wetlands entrance. There will be signs to assist you. Do NOT use a map program like Google Maps to guide you; you will end up in the wrong location.
Close-toed shoes are required to attend the walk, and adults must accompany kids under 16. Reserve your spot via our Eventbrite page. Email Elizabeth with any questions or concerns.
P.S. Thanks to recent rains, Zedler Marsh will look fabulous in early March. It’s the highlight of the nature walk! Check out the image below!
This kayak tour is an incredible way to view one of the most pristine areas of the wetlands, Steamshovel Slough, with an environmental guide who will provide educational commentary. LA River Expeditions, which also hosts kayak tours of the Los Angeles River, will co-lead the tour.
The kayak tour will meet at the playground at Mother’s Beach at 8:30 AM and will wrap up by 10:30 AM. This timeframe is intended to ensure the tide is high enough to kayak in and out of the Steamshovel Slough.
The Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust underwrites a significant portion of tour expenses, and we are asking for a $40 donation per kayaker to help offset gear rentals and the cost of our highly qualified tour guides.
Click here for more information or to sign up for our kayak trip to Steamshovel Slough on Sunday, March 29th.
P.S. For a peek into what it is like to kayak in Los Cerritos Wetlands, check out the video below…and then sign up to join us!
What we know about the proposed revised solar panel project. The majority of the solar panels would remain adjacent to some of the Los Cerritos Wetlands’ most biologically sensitive areas, likely affecting the fragile and threatened species that rely on the wetlands to survive. The project would now produce 1.2 megawatts, consist of two separate solar arrays with about 2,000 solar panels, and an undetermined number of solar tables….all to power oil and gas operations. Here is our most recent letter to the City of Seal Beach outlining our concerns. You can use points in our letter to write your own letter to the City.
We remain concerned about the impacts on nearby wildlife. In fact, we are so concerned that we asked respected biological experts at All Hands Biological Consulting to review the project. You can find their review here.
Very concerningly, there is insufficient review of the potential for solar panel glare to confuse birds and other wildlife, despite the promised anti-glare coating. And if the project kills birds, how many is acceptable, and what number might trigger additional mitigation? The applicant can self-report, and beyond that, neither the applicant nor the Planning Commission is required to take any specific action to reduce bird deaths. Before (or if) this project moves forward, we need answers to those questions, and more.
Keep voicing your concerns to the Seal Beach City Council regarding the potential impacts on the wetlands and neighboring communities. Ask for a full analysis of the project. Send a note to Shaun Temple, Planning Manager for the City of Seal Beach. Tell him that an Environmental Impact Report is the appropriate level of review for a project that could have significant impacts on the wetland wildlife that reside in this rare habitat. Ask him to share your views with the City Council.
Attend the Seal Beach City Council meeting on Feb 23 at 7:00 PM. Tell them that if these solar panels are installed, they will likely remain for many years. In an era of rising seas and extreme weather, it is just wrong to add more stressors on the fragile and threatened species that rely on the remaining few acres of Los Cerritos Wetlands. At a minimum, there should be a full environmental review to better understand the impacts, how they will affect local wildlife, and the available alternatives.
With appreciation,
Elizabeth Lambe Executive Director Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust
P.S. The accompanying materials for the proposed solar panel agenda item were just posted on the City of Seal Beach website. You can find them here.
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific
Date: April 14
Time: 6:30 PM
