|
 The
mission of the Amigos de Bolsa Chica is to advocate the
preservation, restoration, and maintenance of the Bolsa Chica,
to encourage the
public acquisition
of all the wetlands and sufficient surrounding open space to
create a viable ecosystem, and to provide education about the
importance of wetlands.
The Amigos de Bolsa
Chica is one of the oldest and most
successful environmental preservation organizations in
California. We rely upon members, volunteers and the community
to continue fulfilling our mission.
The
Amigos de Bolsa Chica is a 501(c)3 foundation that was formed in
1976 by a small group of
Huntington Beach citizens who were concerned about the loss of a
rare and valuable piece of open space, the Bolsa Chica wetland.
Plans for extensive marina and commercial/residential
development already had been announced when the Amigos pledged
to protect, preserve and acquire the Bolsa Chica and surrounding
open space. In 1989, through the settlement of a lawsuit filed
by the Amigos de Bolsa Chica, major reductions in development
plans for the area were achieved.
 Over
the years the Amigos have provided off-site programs and guided
tours of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve for thousands and
school children and adults. Most recently, the Amigos
spearheaded an effort that resulted in the state's acquisition
in 1997 of 880 acres of wetlands with principal funds provided
by the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. With an additional
41 acres purchased by the state in 2005, the public now owns
over 1200 acres of wetland/lowland. The Amigos de Bolsa Chica is
closely monitoring the wetland restoration project and future
wetland management. The $110 million Bolsa Chica lowland restoration project, financed almost entirely by the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach as part of the mitigation for their expansion, opened to much fanfare from the press and public on August 24, 2006. Click here to see a collection of stories about the opening of the tidal inlet from local and national news media.
If you are interested in insuring the
future well-being of the Bolsa Chica Wetlands and would like to
become a member of the Amigos de Bolsa Chica, print, fill out and mail
in a
membership application.
There are
also opportunities for
volunteering your time and becoming a
docent and leading tours of the wetlands.
|
If you are interested in becoming a member or
volunteering
in a variety of capacities,
please
contact the Amigos de Bolsa Chica at:
Phone / Fax 714.840.1575
Email:
info@amigosdebolsachica.org |
The mailing
address for
Amigos de Bolsa Chica is:
P.O Box 1563
Huntington Beach, CA 92647 |
|
