Restoration is currently underway on critical coastal dunes in Huntington Beach, as are efforts to educate people as to its importance.
California State Parks has teamed up with the Bolsa Chica Conservancy to restore a critical area of coastal dunes comprising 10,000 square feet. They also seek to describe to residents the fragile ecology found in the area stretching from Bolsa Chica State Beach to the Bolsa Chica Wetlands Ecological Reserve.
Volunteers from the community are planting native fauna within several hundred feet of the shore, in sandy areas that already exist. Kevin Pearsall, the superintendent of the Orange Coast District State Park, said that invasive plant species have taken over parts of the dunes, and must be removed and the coastal habitat restored.
Restoring the wetlands and sand dunes is important because Bolsa Chica is a stopping point for wildlife migrating via the Pacific Flyway. In addition, fish spawn in the area, and a healthy ecosystem filters out pollutants from water before it enters the wetlands. Officials dealing with complex issues like this can work with Print shops to create educational materials for residents.
The educational part of the effort includes teaching the public about the connections among the wetlands, the ocean, and the coast. In addition to reaching out to members of the community, the Conservancy also plans to educate young people about the habitat, in ways that meet requirements of STEM courses at all educational levels.
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