Bolsa Chica Land Trust

Bolsa Chica Land Trust The Bolsa Chica Land Trust is a non-profit organization. Our mission is to preserve, restore, and mai

The Bolsa Chica Land Trust was formed in 1992 by a small group of Californians who believed that one of the last standing wetlands ecosystems in Southern California was worth preserving for future generations. The Land Trust now includes more than 5000 members from throughout California and twenty other states. We offer free tours, volunteering, and education programs at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (sometimes known as the Bolsa Chica Wetlands).

Babies! Western Snowy Plovers and CA Least Terns, both endangered, chicks are hatching at Bolsa Chica. They are an grea...
06/11/2026

Babies! Western Snowy Plovers and CA Least Terns, both endangered, chicks are hatching at Bolsa Chica. They are an great example of camouflage with their speckled fluff on the sandy ground. Both of these species are monitored during the breeding season, and as of this last weekend, there are 175 CA Least Tern nests and at least 110 Western Snowy Plover nests (count is still rising).

These two species were instrumental in saving the wetlands from being paved over. Without these small birds, Bolsa Chica would probably be cement with buildings and parking lots right now. Instead, it's a thriving wetland oasis full of life and hope.

Tiny heroes with tiny fluff ball babies.

📷 Melissa Borde- CDFW

Bolsa Chica Land Trust Welcomes Diane Rosencrance as Executive DirectorA new chapter in the inspiring story of the Bolsa...
06/11/2026

Bolsa Chica Land Trust Welcomes Diane Rosencrance as Executive Director

A new chapter in the inspiring story of the Bolsa Chica Land Trust has begun, with the naming of Diane Rosencrance as Executive Director effective June 11, taking the baton passed by visionary 14-year executive director Kim Kolpin, who has moved with her family to the Seattle area.

She says she is very excited for “the opportunity to use my knowledge, experiences and skills to further the vision of the Bolsa Chica Land Trust to nurture a thriving, healthy, and sustainable ecosystem for the entire Bolsa Chica, as well as uphold one of my most deeply held beliefs: that humans are meant to care for the earth and its animals.”

“The future of the Bolsa Chica is bright,” says Land Trust President John Doyle. “It will of course continue to require focused and sustained efforts, but our Board is more committed than ever to strengthening and expanding our programs to restore and protect the Bolsa Chica as vital habitat for the hundreds of species that depend on its wetlands and uplands, and as an educational, recreational and spiritual resource for the community.”

Read the full press release at https://bclandtrust.org/blog/bclt-welcomes-new-executive-director/

📷 Roger Bloom

Bolsa Chica is an important nesting site for these endangered birds. Their numbers are diminishing largely due to loss o...
06/10/2026

Bolsa Chica is an important nesting site for these endangered birds. Their numbers are diminishing largely due to loss of wetlands habitats, especially in coastal California. CA Least Terns (Sterna antillarum browni) are the smallest North American terns. CA Least Terns nest on beaches and wetlands where they lay their eggs in depressions right on the sand. There are 175 nests at Bolsa Chica this year! Oyster shells are being added to enhance the nesting sites as seen in this great photo. Next year the goal is to acquire another 2000lbs and add the shells to all five nesting sites.

These terns can be found on the California and Baja coasts in the summer. They migrate to Central America and southward as far as Brazil for the winter. Like most terns, they hunt for fish by dramatically plunge diving from the sky into the water, often coming up with fish. They also eat crustaceans and insects. Calls include high-pitched kip, chi-rit, and k’rrik.

📷 Elizabeth Bassin

CA Invasive Species Action WeekThe California Invasive Species Action Week (CISAW) is a statewide, week long event creat...
06/09/2026

CA Invasive Species Action Week

The California Invasive Species Action Week (CISAW) is a statewide, week long event created to increase public awareness of invasive species and promote public participation year round in invasive species management. This year it is from Sat. June 6th to Sun. June 14th.

Bolsa Chica has its fair share of invasive species. The Bolsa Chica Stewards have been tackling this issue for years and have made tremendous progress. By removing the invasive species before it goes to seed and replacing the weeds with native plants, we have been restoring native Coastal Sage Scrub and Grasslands habitats on the mesa.

Read more about invasive plant species on our blog post and sign up to volunteer with the Bolsa Chica Stewards!

https://bclandtrust.org/blog/invasive-plants-at-bolsa-chica/

📷 Crystalline Iceplant, E. Chin

06/05/2026

World Environment Day is honored every June 5th. Bolsa Chica is just one piece of the larger interconnected network of ecosystems and habitats that all living things depend on. Helping restore degraded land into native habitats at Bolsa Chica is how the Bolsa Chica Stewards honor our piece of the world.

This Sunday, you can do you part by joining us for our community-based volunteer restoration days! Every first Sunday and third Saturday of the month we lead habitat restoration events where the community can personally get involved with caring for our local environment.

Sign up at www.BCLandTrust.org/volunteer/restorationvolunteer/

Throw back Thursday to when the Elegant Terns used to nest in the hundreds at Bolsa Chica before the drone accident (202...
06/04/2026

Throw back Thursday to when the Elegant Terns used to nest in the hundreds at Bolsa Chica before the drone accident (2021) that decimated the eggs and scared the birds so badly that they haven't returned to nest in such high numbers ever since. Every year we are hopefully they will return to nest en masse on the nesting islands.

Maybe 2026 is that year?

We continue to work on the Tern Nesting Islands Restoration Project to improve their resiliency in the event of flooding caused by extreme tides and sea-level rise. You can read more about the initial process on our Preservation webpage.

📷 Alan Wendell

These black and white long-legged birds stand out amongst the shorebirds at Bolsa Chica with their white eye-ring and lo...
06/03/2026

These black and white long-legged birds stand out amongst the shorebirds at Bolsa Chica with their white eye-ring and long pinkish legs. Males have a glossy, black back while females have a browner back. Both sexes of Black-necked Stilts (Himantopus mexicanus) participate in incubation and chick-rearing, though males appear to be more involved with the older chicks. Adults defend nests and chicks by flying around, making loud “kek, kek, kek” sounds, and having the chicks hide under their wings, like the male in this photo. Nesting is done near water in either salt or freshwater marshes with mudflats.

📷 Katrina Plummer

This Sunday come join us and Surfrider Foundation North Orange County Chapter to clean up the beach at the Bolsa Chica S...
05/29/2026

This Sunday come join us and Surfrider Foundation North Orange County Chapter to clean up the beach at the Bolsa Chica State Beach! Find us at our table between 8am-12pm. Bring your family, friends and make new acquaintances to raise awareness about litter and plastic pollution. Earn service hours too!

https://volunteer.surfrider.org/timeslots/8wLt2MDi5C

📷 Surfrider volunteer sign up page

Every day is a good day to visit Bolsa Chica and get your daily dose of nature's healing medicine. Doctor's order with a...
05/28/2026

Every day is a good day to visit Bolsa Chica and get your daily dose of nature's healing medicine. Doctor's order with a free prescription!

The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is free to visit 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset. Come see the terns or admire the buckwheat and monkey flowers. Your mind and body will thank you.

Please stay on trails at all times, and no dogs, bikes or drones allowed within the Reserve.

📷 Kurt Bayless

Address

5200 Warner Avenue, Ste 108
Huntington Beach, CA
92649

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 3pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 10am - 3pm
Friday 10am - 3pm

Telephone

+17148461001

Website

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