General Questions:
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Q: Is the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve free to visit and where can I park?
A: Yes! There is no fee to visit the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. There are two main free parking lots: South lot off Pacific Coast Highway, and North lot at the corner of Warner Ave., and Pacific Coast Highway. Find directions to the North and South parking lots on our Explore page.
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Q: When is the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve open?
A: The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is open every day from sunrise to sunset.
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Q: Are dogs, bikes, or drones allowed at Bolsa Chica? Where?
A:No, dogs, bikes, and drones are not allowed at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (BCER). However, dogs and bikes are allowed on the OC Parks’ berms along the Wintersburg Channel only. There are signs at all major entrances to the BCER.
REASON FOR THE PROHIBITION OF PETS
- A primary reason for the establishment of the Reserve was to protect wildlife and wildlife habitat. Pets, especially domestic dogs and cats,interfere with this conservation goal.
- The pet owner that allows their dog to flush wildlife such as waterfowl or rabbits is committing a “take” under CCRT-14.
- Dogs and cats frighten birds and cause them to fly away from habitat that the birds use for foraging and nesting.
- The scent or presence of a dog or cat may result in nest abandonment.
- Dogwalking, includingleashed dogs,results in a reduction of the number of birds and the number of bird species near trails where dogs are walked.
- Pet feces can transmit pathogens to wild animals and dog owners often fail topick upafter their pets when in public places.
- Off-leash pets have been killed by rattlesnakes and coyotes on the Reserve.
- Tidal currents can be lethal to pets: an off-leash dog drowned on the Reserve.
- Dogs may frighten other Reserve visitors. Reportedly, elderly visitors and children have felt threated by dogs that came too close to them while visiting the Reserve.
- All native wildlife and plants on the Reserve are protected species. Moreover, the Reserve features 14 special status birds; two special status reptiles; one special status mammal; and six rare plant species. Dogs and cats pose an increased threat to the following six special status species at Bolsa Chica:
- Light-footed Ridgway’srail,Rallusobsoletuslevipes, listed as Endangered (ESA & CESA);
- California least tern,Sternulaantillarumbrowni, listed as Endangered (ESA & CESA);
- Coastal California gnatcatcher,Polioptilacalifornicacalifornica, listed as Threatened (ESA);
- Western snowy plover,Charadriusalexandrinusnivosus, listed as Threatened (ESA); CDFW Species of Special Concern; USFWS designated a 475-acre portion of BCER as Critical Habitat;
- Belding Savannah sparrow,Passerculussandwichensisbeldingi, listed as Endangered (CESA); and,
- Southern California legless lizard,Anniellastebbinsi, CDFW Species of Special Concern.
REASON FOR THE PROHIBITION OF BICYCLES
- Bicycle riders frighten wildlife, causing them to flee.
- Bicycle riders can cause nest abandonment.
- Bicycle riders can destroy native vegetation.
- Bicycle riders can cause habitat fragmentation.
- Bolsa Chica’s trails were not designed for bicycles; they are intended for passive wildlife viewing and hiking only.
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Q: Who owns the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve?
A:State Lands Commission owns the wetland portion and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife own the upland portion,and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife manage theentireReserve.
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Q: Who has authority/responsibility for signage and enforcement?
A:The California Department of Fish and Wildlife Wardens are in charge of enforcement. CDFW also must approve all signage. The 3 Non-profits will collaborate todesign, pay for, and install signage and informational signs.
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Q: Why do I need to stay on trail?
A:The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve was established and is maintained for the protection of our coastal wildlife. The public is welcome to visit, however staying on the trails is critical for the safety of both human visitorsand wildlife alike.When people go offtrailthey kill native vegetation, they can frighten wildlife which can lead to nest abandonment, and their actions canspeed erosion of our sensitive bluff edges. You also risk being bitten by snakes and insects who call Bolsa Chica home.
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Q: Where are the trash cans?
A:Trash cans are located at both Reserve parking lots. We ask that all visitorsleave no garbage at the Reserve. Leave No Trace.
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Q: Where are the bathrooms?
A:Public restrooms will be made available at the Bolsa Chica Conservancy’sfacility located on Warner Avenue during their operatinghours. For more than a decade, portable units were made available to the public in both Reserve parking lots and were paid for by the 3 Bolsa Chica nonprofits, at a cost of thousands of dollars each year. Unfortunately, the units were consistentlyvandalized and the decision to remove the units from public use was made in November 2021. The unit remaining in the PCH lot is locked and is reserved for staff and tour participants only.
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Q. What’s the difference between the Bolsa Chica Land Trust and the other NGOs (Amigos de Bolsa Chica and The Bolsa Chica Conservancy)? Can you explain if or how BCLT works with other groups?
A: The Bolsa Chica Land Trust’s mission is for all of Bolsa Chica – the wetlands and Mesa. We have successfully fought back development and are currently trying to acquire the last privately owned acres to save as open space. We advocate for the preservation, conservation, and restoration of all the habitats here, as well as educate the public on its importance (regionally and beyond). BCLT also values our environmental roots, and we use our voice to help protect our environment, locally and globally. We have a strong habitat restoration program and plant nursery with the Bolsa Chica Stewards, lead tours, and we have a Next Generation standards education program called Miracles of the Marsh. BCLT partners with the managing State agencies on larger restoration efforts, currently we are managing a Sustainabilities Study for the lowland wetlands/tidal inlet, and BCLT is beginning the project to restore the two Tern Nesting Islands in Inner Bolsa Bay.
The Amigos de Bolsa Chica is the oldest of the 3 Bolsa Chica Non-Profit organizations. Their efforts have been considerable, and outstanding towards saving Bolsa Chica’s wetlands. Today, they have a very good educational program called Flow, host many public meetings on topics relevant to Bolsa Chica and the environment, and lead tours.
The Bolsa Chica Conservancy, up to Fall 2019 was led in part by individuals who were either current or past officers of the development company (Signal Landmark/Koll) who had planned on building 5,000 homes and a marina at Bolsa Chica. Therefore, their concern is for the wetlands, not for the mesa or areas where their Board of Directors have had development interests, and individuals on their Board of Directors past & present are known to support anti-environmental positions. They manage the Interpretive Center in the North Parking lot, lead tours, do some habitat restoration, have a mobile interpretive van, and run EONs (Eyes On Nests) monitoring program during the nesting season.
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Q: What’s going to happen to the trees? Will they be replaced?
A:The treesare a complicated issue. Theyare non-native Eucalyptus and Palm treesplanted as part of the old Gun Club landscaping. They are nowconsideredESHA (Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area) and are slowly dying from old age. They will not be cut down as they are important roosting and nesting habitat for the raptors.Naturally, the only trees that would have been here were willows and possibly oak lining the sides of Freeman creek, which no longer flows at Bolsa. The EucalyptusandPalms have ESHA protection for the habitat they provide, however,replacing them will be difficult. There is no irrigation, the soil is not great, the ocean winds and salt spray are brutal to young plants, the Mesa is sensitive due to archaeological issues, and the raptors the trees provide habitat for feed on the endangered plover and tern chicks.
Complicated! At this point we have not received direction from CDFW regarding the trees. Something for sure needs to be done if the ESHA values are to remain, but we don’t know what or when.Our position is that we would want to see new trees planted to retain the ESHA habitat. However, we will certainly listen to biologists and CDFW and contribute to what is determined to be the best for the Reserve. Even if everyone is in agreement to plant new trees it does not mean that it would be possible at the same location given the site’s condition. The habitat the grove provides is very special, and we would want to see it continue. We are also opposed to the removal of the dead trees as they provide habitat as well.
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Q: What about the oil wells, are they still pumping? What is BCLT’s stance on them?
A:Yes, there is still operating oil wells at Bolsa Chica. California Resource Corporation currently holds the oil lease. There is no fracking done at Bolsa Chica, and most of the oilinfrastructureis not in view of the public. Whereas BCLT welcomes the day that thelast remainingoil field is restored to wetland habitat, the current oil operator has been diligent about being a good neighbor. Theyhaveprovided funding for education and outreach to the 3 Bolsa Chica Non-Profits, includingforall of the new educational signage, and recently placed a nesting platform on one of theirpower poles to protect a pair of nesting Osprey.
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Q: I heard that Bolsa Chica has run out of money to keep the tidal inlet open. Where is the money going to come from to keep it open?
A:It is true that the maintenance funding established in 2006 for the tidal inlet and lowland wetland basin has beendepleted. The maintenance costs for the restored wetlands is substantial, andnot sustainable. Thus, BCLT in partnership with the Bolsa Chica Steering Committee (made up of 8 State and Federal agencies tasked with oversight of Bolsa Chica) received aProp 1 grant to fund a study of the system with the goal of identifying options to lower the maintenance cost without negatively impacting the biodiversity of the site. That study is due at the end of 2020.
Once the study is completed and a course of action agreed upon by the Steering Committee, BCLT will help to facilitate funding for the implementation ofadjustmentsto the system which willreduce the maintenance costs. However,the amount of money needed to implement changes and the ongoing maintenance is unknown at the time.
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Q: When will the fence around the lower bench come down?
A:Although we were less than thrilled when the fence went up in the 1990’s, it has proven to be enormously beneficial for the wildlife of Bolsa Chica. For the most part, it has provided a level of security to the raptors and coyotes that use the Lower Bench area. Without the constant threat of human intrusion and abuse, these animals have been able to use the Mesa, even in its degraded state, for hunting and foraging.
The California Department of Fish &Wildlifeowns the Lower Bench andthe priority is keeping the area safe for the wildlife. It will help to secure the site, ourGrowing Space nursery andequipment, and the restoration project, as well as continue to provide needed security to the wildlife of the Mesa.
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Q: What are the plans for the lower bench?
A:The Bolsa Chica Land Trust has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the California Department of Fish &Wildlifeto develop plans to restore the Lower Bench (the area inside the fence).The Bolsa Chica Stewards have developed plans to restore some of the most important upland habitat to be found along the Southern California coast.Most important will be the community involvement, volunteers giving their time and energies to breathe new life onto the Bolsa Chica Mesa. A unique combination, oursisa project that will set the standards for restoring vital wildlife habitat amongst urban sprawl.
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Q: How close are we to having enough to buy the last of the land?
A:The Bolsa Chica Land Trust continues to work on the acquisition of the Ridge and Goodell properties. BCLT successfully raised $1 million as our contribution to the acquisition and is partnering with the Trust for Public Land to raise the rest of the funds needed. As these are coastal properties, the amount needed for acquisition is substantial, and the process long and arduous.
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Q: Could we do a fund me to get money to dredge the inlet?
A: No. Although Bolsa Chica is an internationally known birding location, it is a place relatively few know of out of Orange County. Online fundraising campaigns of the size required to raise millions of dollars are typically for an issue that has widespread appeal and attention. Crowdfunding is also not a good source for sustainable and reoccurring funding.
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Q: How can I donate to the Bolsa Chica Stewards or other specific program?
A:Donationsare always appreciated. Make your contribution to the Bolsa Chica Land Trust, our parent organization. Please see the Land Trust’sDonatepage for more information.
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Q: I see a lot of trash in and near the water; can I go down and pick it up?
A: Unfortunately, no, the public is not allowed in nor near the water. However, BCLT will do trash clean-ups with permission from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and between the months of September and February (contingent on when the bird breeding season starts and ends). The habitat is very sensitive, and the State and Federally protected Belding’s Savannah Sparrow only nests in the pickleweed vegetation in that habitat. It’s also better to go at low tides versus high tides so we can retrieve more trash.
