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President’s Tern – It’s Been Great
By Jennifer Robins My two year term as President of Amigos comes to an end in January, 2012. It’s been a very interesting two years with a variety of activities and meetings that taught me some very valuable lessons. There are a lot of people with ideas about the future of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve and sometimes the ideas are met with different opinions. The challenge is to work with everyone by listening and realizingthat sometimes compromises must be made. The important thing to remember is that a viable and productive Bolsa Chica is what is most important. The complete restoration of the wetlands with as much open space around the wetlands as is possible are the goals, and Amigos are merely players in the path toward those goals. As individuals we may have our own visions, but the community must come together for what’s best for the Bolsa Chica and its inhabitants, not what is best for our personal legacies. The plants, birds, fish and ecological whole is the force that must be maintained for future generations to observe, to study, take pictures, walk the trails and be a part of as observers of this treasure in the middle of urban civilization. The Amigos de Bolsa Chica, the Bolsa Chica Conservancy, the Bolsa Chica Land Trust, the Department of Fish and Game and the State Lands Commission must work together and respect the part each has accomplished to be able to enjoy the land as we do. The visitors who come to the reserve every day are thankful for the contributions of all of the groups’ part in saving the wetlands and only wish for its continued preservation and protection. They care less about the behind the scenes interactions and more about seeing the wetlands remain an open space that will be enjoyed in an environmental atmosphere. Future challenges and projects for 2012 and beyond deal with a permanent Interpretive Center, a plan for restoration of the lower mesa and saving property being planned for development in surrounding areas of the wetlands. Amigos will continue to act with thoughts of the best for the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve and future generations. I hope all who read this continue to help Amigos de Bolsa Chica with this tradition. Back to the Tern Tide/News Index |