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Dear Friend,
Summer is nearly over, kids are back at school, and you can start to hear the loud honking from the migrating geese as they fly over your neighborhoods at the crack of dawn. Following the fall migration, our 2026 'Wings Over Bolsa' calendars have now flown in and are available to order online!
September is the month with CA Coastal Cleanup Day and we are doing things a little different at Bolsa Chica this year. Instead of meeting in the morning like in the past, we are holding an afternoon event to coincide with the low tide. Finally, learn about the different habitats that support the biodiversity at Bolsa Chica in honor of CA Biodiversity Day.
Also, happy Fall Equinox Sept. 22nd!
Until next time, see you on the trails.
| | CA Coastal Cleanup Day Sept. 20th | | |
Coastal Cleanup Day is every day, but it is important to have one big community day each year to collect as much trash and data as we can together. With so many of us who care about the health of our watersheds and oceans working simultaneously this September 20th, our collective small actions will turn into a powerful movement.
Get together with a group of your friends and spend some time outside, removing trash, and making a difference in the habitats around you.
The Bolsa Chica Land Trust is mixing it up this year and we are holding our event from Noon(12pm) – 3pm to coincide with the low tide. This is to ensure maximum trash removal from the wetlands because we can cover more area in the same amount of time. Plus, you get to sleep in.
Sat. Sept. 20th from 12pm – 3pm
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Registration is required, so sign up early because these events tend to fill up fast.
| | Bolsa Chica 'Wings Over Bolsa' 2026 calendar | | |
We're excited to announce the 2026 'Wings Over Bolsa' calendar is now available on our website!!
*all photos were taken right here at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
*13-month format
*major holidays and moon phases each month
*educational captions
*printed with soy inks on recycled paper right here in OC
only $20 donation per calendar, or order 4 get 1 free deal!
These make beautiful gifts for friends or family full of high quality images of Bolsa Chica, regardless of if you actually use it like a calendar or not.
| | CA Biodiversity Day Sept. 7th | The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is home to many threatened and endangered species and consists of 5 main habitats that combined make up the Bolsa Chica ecosystem. These habitats are different from each other, but work in tandem to support the extensive biodiversity that thrive here. From wetlands to uplands, these habitats serve a wide variety of species with different needs and life stages. This CA Biodiversity Day (Sept. 7th) we want to highlight these different habitats and what you may find when you take a walk through the Reserve. | | We are always interested in hearing from you dear readers. What content do you want to see, and how often and where (inboxes, social media, physical mailings) do you want us to reach out to you? Any other comments or suggestions? If you like our e-newsletters please consider sharing it with your friends and family. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn to catch our weekly "Wildlife Wednesdays" and current events as we share with you what we see and find every week! | | | VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES AND FREE TOURS | | |
BCLT Stewards Habitat Restoration Volunteering
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Dates
Sunday Sept. 7th, 9am- 12
Coastal Cleanup Day Saturday Sept. 20th, 12pm- 3pm (note different time)
Pre-registration and sign up on our website is required. Capped at 50 volunteers for each event.
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Miracles of the Marsh Docent Volunteering
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“Miracles of the Marsh from Wetlands to Wildlife” is our elementary school education program which brings children to the Bolsa Chica. Our docent-led tour focuses on plant life, wildlife, and history. Join our dedicated and fun team as we educate our local 3rd graders to the wonders of Bolsa Chica.
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BCLT Outreach and Free Public Tour
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Dates
Sunday Sept. 14th, 10am-12
Sunday Sept. 21st, 10am- 12
Monthly free guided walking tours of the Bolsa Chica wetlands and mesa. Learn about the history of Bolsa Chica, its wildlife, and plant life with a Bolsa Chica Land Trust docent.
Or, come hang out at our table and help spread the word about the cool and important elements of Bolsa Chica as an Outreach volunteer! Interested in becoming a docent volunteer? Shadow one of our docents to get started.
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*ON HIATUS*
Beach Clean Ups
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When: Every Monday at 8:30am from November to March
Where: 20th Street entrance to Huntington City Beach
Who: Everyone! Most of the supplies are provided, but if you want, please bring a reusable bucket or bag, and gloves.
*If you have a group that you want to bring, please email Info@BCLandTrust.org and we can work to accommodate your group.*
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September's Animal of the Month: Double-crested Cormorants
These three amigos are enjoying hanging out on a log, drying out their wings in the Pocket Wetland. Double-crested Cormorants are very social and are seen together often just resting, swimming, or flying and are colonial nesters. This species is found year-round at Bolsa Chica and is the most widespread cormorant in the USA. They are water birds and live in coastal wetlands and inland freshwater lakes. Fish provide the main food for cormorants, and they are expert divers that grab a fish underwater. This cormorant can be identified from two other species by their yellow-orange throat pouch, and during breeding season, by the double tufts of white feathers on their heads. In Japan fishermen train cormorants to dive and bring up fish for them.
33” long; 52” wingspan; 3.7 pounds
photo: Alan Wendell
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Reminders When You Visit Bolsa Chica
Here are some things to remember during your visit:
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Please stay on the trails. Not only could you disturb nesting birds, but snakes are often not far off the trails.
- Enjoy the flowers, but please do not pick them.
- Do not feed the animals.
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Do not litter. Please pack out your trash, including food scraps.
- No bikes or ebikes.
- No dogs.
- No drones.
- Enjoy being with nature!
- If you see any BCLT Stewards working along the trail, say hi! We are happy to answer any questions.
| | Support Bolsa Chica Today! | |
The mission of the Bolsa Chica Land Trust is the acquisition, preservation, and restoration of all of Bolsa Chica and the education of the public to its natural wonders and cultural significance.
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Photo Credits:
Coyote- Tammy Asaki, trash- Beverley Hansen,calendar- Brian Goebel, landscape, Miracles docent with kids outreach table- Jeff Rokos, volunteers on beach- Mike McMahan, landscape-Eileen Rizzacasa, Double-crested Cormorants- Alan Wendell
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