Restoring San Elijo Lagoon Eco Reserve

SBECO is a Rotary Club with a single focus of protecting the environment. This project involves California's wetlands - crucial ecosystems that provide water purification, flood control, wildlife habitat and climate change mitigation. They act as natural filters, absorbing pollutants and improving water quality, while also reducing the risk of flooding by absorbing excess rainwater. Additionally, wetlands support a wide array of species, including those that are threatened or endangered. Southern California's coastal wetlands are facing significant challenges, including loss of habitat due to development and urbanization, pollution and the impacts of sea level rise.  The 721-acre San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve is especially important because it provides critical migrating waterfowl habitat and nesting sites for sensitive bird species, contributes to coastal fisheries replenishment by providing nursery habitat for young fish, and generally protects a tremendous diversity of plants and animal species. Our Epic project involves removing invasive plants and planting native plants in critical habitat areas. We are working with the Nature Collective, a conservation and education nonprofit leader in San Diego. Volunteers are welcome to join us 8:45am at the Nature Center at 2710 Manchester Avenue, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007.