Dear Friend,

August, the last full month of summer.

Of beach hats and lemonade.

Of swimming and afternoon naps.

When nature basks in the sunshine

and flourishes in the long daylight hours.

A time for dreamers

and admirers of cloud animals lazily floating by...

You can join our basking lizards and sigh in the cooling sea breezes when you meander around Bolsa Chica's trails. Stop to appreciate the summer blooms as you listen to the birds who spend summer here. Before you go, learn about the habitats of Bolsa Chica in our latest blog post.

Science researchers, consider conducting research at Bolsa Chica! Now is the time to get acquainted with BCLT's research program below.

Until next month, see you on the trails.

Some might think the plants are all brown and dead during the summer months. They couldn't be more wrong! The Southern tarplant, an endangered plant, is in full bloom right now! Ok, so it's not as flashy as the sunflowers in spring, but these blooms are an important food source for the native bees and other pollinators when most other flowers are long gone.

So, stop and smell the flowers, but not literally, the plants are a bit spiky 😉 Admire these hard-working flower factories without touching them please.

Follow us on Instagram or our other social media platforms (Facebook and X) for similar updates, amazing photos, and much more.

The Bolsa Chica Land Trust invites academic researchers to explore the many possibilities for investigative studies at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.

Estuaries along the California coastline are constantly being threatened by human impacts. More than 90% of the state’s historic wetlands are gone. Research is needed to document Bolsa Chica’s flora and fauna and to elucidate relationships between various species and their habitats. As global warming threatens the world’s coastlines, studies are needed to gather baseline data and later to document changes. BCLT often conducts interventions in the Reserve to protect and restore the environment, and these interventions would benefit from outcome studies. BCLT also conducts educational and volunteer programs that would lend themselves to qualitative research examining educational outcomes.

Bolsa Chica has much to offer, and we have much to learn so that we can better care for the Reserve in the future. You can read the full informational flyer below and please share it with others!

Do you know the habitats that make up the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve? Obviously, the water takes up a good chunk of that, but you may be surprised at what else you can find. Learn about these habitats in our newest blog post.

"Today is a beautiful day to wander the trails and explore at least 5 different habitats, don’t you think?

And look, you don’t even have to drive way out into the mountains or desert in order to take some deep breaths in nature. Because Bolsa Chica is right here in the midst of a bustling beach town tucked among houses, eateries and coffee shops just a few minutes from downtown Huntington Beach.

Here at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (BCER) you can immerse yourself in rich, vibrant wetlands filled with birds, marine creatures, mammals, reptiles, and fragrant native plants and still have time to go shopping.

But wait, what were those “5 different habitats” mentioned above?"

August's Bird of the Month: Snowy Egrets

Snowy Egrets are year-round residents of Bolsa Chica and one of the most likely birds that visitors will see there. They are certainly one of the most beautiful of all wetland birds. More than a century ago, egrets almost became extinct because they were being hunted indiscriminately for their graceful breeding plumes. There was a profitable trade in feathers for ladies’ hats, and this became one of our nation’s first environmental issues. The Audubon Society was formed to fight the killing of birds for fashion, and legislation was successfully passed to protect the birds. 

24” long; 41” wingspan; 13 oz.

photo: David Carro

Reminders When You Visit Bolsa Chica

Here are some things to remember during your visit:

• 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.
• 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!

Questions? Email us at Info@BCLandTrust.org or call (714) 846-1001

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Photo Credits:

Black Skimmer- Steve Smith, coastal strand- Jeff Rokos, plant stakes- Beverley Hansen, Southern tarplant, sunset- Bequi Howarth, Miracles docent with kids, outreach table- Jeff Rokos, volunteers on beach- Mike McMahan, Snowy Egrets- David Carro