Community-Based Restoration

The Tidal Influence team leads wetlands restoration in Los Angeles County and Orange County primarily through the Los Cerritos Wetlands Stewardship Program and Friends of Colorado Lagoon. We believe in a community-based restoration approach because it educates the public on the restoration effort and gives them an appreciation for the land they helped to save. Monthly events are hosted at Los Cerritos Wetlands and Colorado Lagoon. Come join in our efforts to transform Long Beach's natural areas. You can truly make a difference.

If you have any questions regarding our volunteer programs, please email us at iwanttohelp@tidalinfluence.com.

Get Involved!

Monthly habitat restoration opportunities are available every 1st Saturday from 10:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M. at 1st St and PCH in Seal Beach
LCWSP Event Calendar Jan - June 2020
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History

The Los Cerritos Wetlands comprise approximately 550 acres of the historic 2400 acres of various habitat straddling the border between Long Beach and Seal Beach. This coastal wetlands complex has long been identified by local activists and government officials as one of the most important coastal conservation focuses remaining in southern California. Many special status species reside in the Los Cerritos Wetlands and conceptual plans have been developed that will lead the large-scale restoration.

What's going on at Los Cerritos

Big picture: We have been actively restoring Zedler Marsh, a 10-acre site along the San Gabriel River, since September 2009.  Our main goal is to protect and improve habitat for the endangered Belding's Savannah Sparrow and the 5 special status plant species that call this place home. Our vision is for this location to be the hub for community involvement, environmental education programs, and a showcase for the diverse flora and fauna of Los Cerritos Wetlands. The 4 different coastal plant communities that currently exist here include: southern coastal salt marsh, alkali meadow, coastal sage scrub and mulefat scrub.

This season: Come join the Tidal Influence team in restoring our local wetlands to functional habitat by planting in our salt marsh and coastal sage scrub to restore this beautiful resource. Our main focus is on tackling non-native weed invasions that hinder native plant growth, as well as maintaining our trail system and native plant communities.

Our maintenance trails have recently received a face-lift with support from LA County, the RMC, and the California Native Plant Society. This project will provide the extraordinary opportunity for the public to be able to explore a site within Los Cerritos Wetlands without the need of a guided tour. The project has created walkable trails throughout Zedler Marsh, providing unique opportunities to see rare habitats and species from a safe distance. The project has updated the educational facilities on site to provide for more hands-on, service-learning activities.The Zedler Marsh Trails Grant Opening Event was on September 30th, 2017. We are still in the process of coordinating regularly-scheduled trail openings. Contact info@tidalinfluence.com for details.

 The Colorado Lagoon

History

The Colorado Lagoon is an 18 acre urban wetland that through the efforts of a coalition of concerned citizens, Friends of Colorado Lagoon (FOCL), the City of Long Beach, and Tidal Influence, has improved water quality, restored native vegetation, and increased wildlife activity. Most recently the Colorado Lagoon underwent a multi-million dollar wetland restoration including upgrades to the storm drain system, dredging of contaminated sediment, and re-vegetation of the Western Arm. 

What's going on at the Lagoon

Big picture: We have been actively restoring natural habitat and providing environmental education programming at Colorado Lagoon since August 2008. This project is currently underway. In 2017 a major step was taken with the re-contouring and re-vegetating the Lagoon's north arm and the installation of eel grass beds. Efforts also continue to initiate the design of a 2.5-acre open channel between the Colorado Lagoon and Alamitos Bay, which will reconnect the lagoon's marine habitat to full tidal flushing vastly improving it's ecological function. This work is all part of a mitigation bank that the City of Long Beach is pursuing with our advising.

This season: Help maintain and re-vegetate the Colorado lagoon while learning about local coastal ecology. Our events will focus on maintaining native plant communities, collecting seeds, and removing invasive species from the Western Arm, all while enjoying migratory bird displays. 

We also offer a variety of ways to explore the Lagoon through nature walks and field trips.  Tidal Influence naturalists lead all of these programs and provide participants with engaging activities and recent updates on the restoration project's progress. This is a great place to earn service-learning credits as well.
To learn about Los Cerritos Wetlands and the Colorado Lagoon, visit these websites http://www.lcwlandtrust.org/ and http://www.coloradolagoon.org/.