Bolsa Chica Wetlands

Saving Vital Wetlands from Development

In Huntington Beach just south of Los Angeles, the Bolsa Chica wetlands and mesa are the largest intact coastal wetlands in Southern California, where 97 percent of coastal wetlands have been destroyed. Protection of this 986-acre property is critical to migrating birds and rare wildlife.

Formerly drilled for oil and gas, Bolsa Chica was sold for residential development. In hopes of saving the wetlands, in 1993 ALC negotiated with the developers to buy the land. Using wetland mitigation monies, the state eventually was able to acquire the land. A $65 million restoration effort now is underway, managed by the Department of Fish and Game.

To learn more about the wetlands, visit the Bolsa Chica Conservancy and the Bolsa Chica Land Trust