Los Cerritos Wetlands is home to a handful of plants considered to be “special status” by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. That means they are animals and plants facing significant risks such as habitat loss or decline.
Through funding from the Warne Family Endowment Fund, the Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust supported the mapping of rare plants throughout the 103.5-acre Southern Los Cerritos Wetlands Restoration Project area.
As part of this investigation, three different special status plant species were documented, including an annual wildflower called Lewis’ Evening Primrose (Camissoniopsis lewisii). The small yellow-flowered plant is commonly found in dune habitats, but in the Los Cerritos Wetlands, it covers approximately 3.76 acres on two sandy deposits composed of fill material. This sand likely came from a nearby shoreline dredging project and was placed in the wetlands sometime around the mid-19th century.
Dunes are one of the rarest coastal plant communities in southern California, so a plan to conserve this wayward population of Lewis’ Evening Primrose is an important objective for the restoration of Los Cerritos Wetlands. We will keep you updated as we traverse this primrose’s path to conservation.
Belding’s Savannah Sparrow
One of the wetlands’ most iconic endangered residents is the Belding’s Savannah sparrow, a small songbird found only in coastal marshes of Southern California and northern Baja California. Unlike migratory sparrows, Belding’s Savannah sparrows live year-round in salt marshes and depend heavily on dense pickleweed vegetation for nesting and shelter. Scientists have found that the species is especially vulnerable to habitat fragmentation because isolated marshes often cannot sustain stable populations over time.
The Los Cerritos Wetlands provides important nesting habitat for these birds. Current restoration efforts for the wetlands emphasize preserving healthy pickleweed stands, as they are essential to the birds’ survival.
Perhaps you might consider celebrating Endangered Species Day by making a contribution to our advocacy and public education efforts to protect and restore Los Cerritos Wetlands. You can donate using Zelle at elizabeth@lcwlandtrust.org. Or make a donation through other means on our website.
But more than anything else, we thank you for being part of our effort to improve and restore this rare landscape. No matter how you support us, I am certain we couldn’t do it without you.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Lambe Executive Director Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust
Mel Nutter has been a dedicated coastal advocate for over 50 years.
Kudos to the Sea and Sage Chapter of the Audubon Society for awarding Mel Nutter their Fern Zimmerman Conservation Award for Mel’s lifelong work to protect California’s coastal resources. For many years, Mel has been a trusted advisor to the Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust, providing us with invaluable legal and strategic advice. To help all of us get to know this coastal hero, Sea and Sage Audubon will host Mel at its May conservation lecture at 7 PM on May 26th, where he will share his experiences about his coastal advocacy journey.
Mel’s journey includes working on the 1972 Proposition 20 campaign that led to the California Coastal Act of 1976; serving on both the South Coast Regional Coastal Commission and the State Coastal Commission between 1977 and 1985; and leading the Sierra Club Coastal Committee and the Amigos de Bolsa Chica. The success of the Coastal Act and the protection of miles of accessible coastal open space are attributable in part to Mel’s lifetime of dedication and hard work.
Advance registration is required for this online “virtual” meeting. When you register, you will receive immediate confirmation by email. Hope to see you there, it is a unique and wonderful piece of coastal open space.
Attend a screening of the film Ocean, free of charge, on Tuesday at the Aquarium of the Pacific.
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 the Los Cerritos Wetlands. Tour leaders will discuss the interesting challenges in restoring the Zedler Marsh wetlands, the restoration techniques they rely on, and the important role of California native plants. There will be opportunities for birding and other wildlife sightings at Zedler Marsh.
What: Salt Marsh Stroll nature walk at Los Cerritos Wetlands.
When: Saturday, June 6th, 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.
Closed-toe shoes are required for the walk, and adults must accompany kids under 16. Reserve your spot via our Eventbrite page, and feel free to email Elizabeth with any questions.
Hope to see you there, it is a unique and wonderful piece of coastal open space.
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 2nd. 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 2nd, 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.
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.
Hope to see you there, it is a unique and wonderful piece of coastal open space.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Lambe Executive Director Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust 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 (the same spot where we meet for our nature walk). From there, an event leader will escort you to the restoration site at Zedler Marsh. Attendees will help with trash cleanup and the removal of nonnative invasive vegetation – all while enjoying the beauty of Zedler Marsh! For details, email iwanttohelp@tidalinfluence.com.
Attend a screening of the film Ocean, free of charge, on Tuesday at the Aquarium of the Pacific.
If you’ve driven past the construction happening at Pacific Coast Highway and First Street in Seal Beach and wondered what was going on, check out the event below.
All are invited to join the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority (LCWA) for updates on the Southern Los Cerritos Wetlands Restoration Project. This mixer will be held at O’Malleys on Main St in Seal Beach.
Who: Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority What: Southern Los Cerritos Wetlands Restoration Project Mixer Event When: Wednesday, May 13, at 6:30 p.m. Where: O’Malleys on Main (140 Main Street, Seal Beach) Why: To provide updates on the wetlands restoration project, answer questions from the community, and have fun!
Once completed, this exciting project will restore tidal wetlands and upland habitats at a degraded former oil property and expand education and stewardship opportunities. The project also provides open space and includes the installation of a public access trail connecting the San Gabriel River bike path and the City of Seal Beach’s Gum Grove Park. With “overlook” spots along the trail, the public will be able to look down and across the newly restored area. What a view!
Since construction began late last year, the LCWA has accomplished a lot, and I look forward to hearing about their progress. Members of the project team will also be on hand to answer questions. Please attend. There’s much to discuss…and even more to celebrate. It’s time for the tides!
Visit the LCWA website for additional information.
The Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority is a joint powers authority composed of representatives from the City of Long Beach, the City of Seal Beach, the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, and the State Coastal Conservancy. The LCWA was founded in 2006 to “provide for a comprehensive program of acquisition, protection, conservation, restoration, maintenance, and operation of the Los Cerritos Wetlands area.”
Please join Long Beach Surfrider for a community cleanup along the San Gabriel River on Sunday, May 31st, 8 am to 12 pm. Come early or later. Stay for as long as you can.
Your participation will not only divert trash from our oceans but also bring much-needed awareness to the sea turtle habitat now thriving along the river. Together, we can make a significant impact in keeping our waterways clean and healthy for all to enjoy!
Details
Sign up at this link Park at El Dorado Park and then walk to the site (see the map below). A water cooler will be available; bring your own refillable bottles. Fruit and coffee will also be available. There will be gloves, buckets or reusable bags, and grabbers/pickers for participants to use, but you are encouraged to bring your own if you can. Please wear closed-toe shoes and clothes you do not mind getting dirty. All minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and have parental supervision. This event will not include any underwater/PADI coverage and will remain exclusively on land.
Feel free to reach out to event coordinator Leslie if you have any accommodation needs or questions.
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.
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific
Date: April 14
Time: 6:30 PM
