Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust

RESTORATION, STEWARDSHIP & GENERAL MISSION: In 2023, the Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust engaged in many activities to move forward our mission of preserving, protecting, and stewarding Los Cerritos Wetlands as a healthy, restored, and natural open space. We supported habitat restoration, including activities that improve wetlands water quality. We supported the continued maintenance and restoration of the Zedler Marsh area and the study and protection of the Beldings Savannah Sparrow and Least Bells Vireo, which are threatened species.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH & PUBLIC EDUCATION: The Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust offered numerous outdoor and ecological education programs. Among these is the unique community service of free monthly guided nature walks and low-cost tours through Los Cerritos Wetlands and nearby river estuary, led by trained naturalists and ecologists. These experts provided people of all ages with an immersive experience in our local wetlands, while at the same time educating tour attendees about the history and importance of the Los Cerritos Wetlands. The Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust also provided wetlands field trips for elementary classrooms, emphasizing 3rd and 4th-grade students at Title 1 schools in Long Beach and Santa Ana. We hosted educational kayaking tours of Los Cerritos Wetlands, specifically of the Steamshovel Slough area. We also continued our robust social media-based educational campaign to help educate the public about the need to protect this fragile area.

ADVOCACY: The Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust is the leading advocacy organization for the protection of Los Cerritos Wetlands and the surrounding San Gabriel River estuary. In 2023, the organization executed environmental advocacy campaigns and provided oversight, collaboration, expertise, and defense of the wetlands in the following areas:1) We have been actively monitoring the City of Long Beachs proposal to run environmentally damaging pumps to circulate water in Alamitos Bay. We successfully advocated that mitigation funds be entirely implemented in Los Cerritos Wetlands.2) We engaged in oversight of new developments within the now-approved South East Area Development Specific Plan (SEASP).3) We participated in reviews and workshops about restoration planning for Los Cerritos Wetlands to ensure the final plan(s) will provide robust habitat and maximum protection of threatened species.4) We advocated for $32 million from the Coastal Commission.