Under the clear, blue sky of a morning between storms, Love Your Wetlands Day brought together community members, public officials and environmental enthusiasts, old and young, to unite in a day of appreciation and care for the marsh. In its 19th year, this event opens the tiny slice of wetlands left in Mission Bay for those who wish to experience its wonder, and teaches us just how important reconnecting with nature truly can be. This day is also meant to highlight how quickly this important habitat will disappear if we don’t act now to expand it. Last Saturday, 45 environmental organizations joined us to welcome over 1000 people to become stewards for a day and celebrate the value of Kendall-Frost Marsh to foster community and be a safe haven for all species.
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If you want to learn more or be a part of our advocacy efforts, please visit our action page, email your councilmember, or volunteer with us! This is the closest we have ever been to restored wetlands, and you can be a part of it by letting your representative know that the De Anza Natural Plan needs to get to Wildest restoration acreage, and needs to commit to starting the restoration within the next five years.
Dick Norris, Director of the UC San Diego Natural Reserve System and San Diego Audubon Society Director of Conservation Andrew Meyer welcomed us to the marsh on Saturday morning. Both of them highlighted the ways in which the marsh has changed over the years, from a vast 4000 acre wetland to the current 1% that remains protected due to the work Norris’ father put in when establishing the Natural Reserve System. Despite its losses the wetland still “provides the city with more than $1 million in economic value each year” according to Norris, not to mention its value in combating climate change.
“San Diego Audubon Society and the ReWild Coalition are advocating to restore this habitat for endangered and more common birds, and for us—for anyone who wants to swim in cleaner water and be more resilient to sea level rise. For anyone who wants to fight the climate crisis by locking away carbon in one of the world’s most efficient habitats for sequestration, right here.” Andrew Meyer shared, highlighting the urgency and need for wetland restoration in the northeast corner of the bay.
Thanks to all of our speakers who kicked off the day, Dr. Stan Rodriguez from the I’ipay Nation of Santa Ysabel, UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep Khosla, Megan Cooper from the Coastal Conservancy, and Council President Pro Tem Joe LaCava.Thank you to our Assemblymember Boerner for declaring it 2024 Love Your Wetlands Day! And thanks to Mayor Gloria, who joined us at the event and introduced the science talks under the big tents.
After the speeches, participants and volunteers donned boots and grabbed buckets to follow leaders in marsh cleanups, spent time bird watching with our local guides, assisted Kumeyaay Community College in tule boat building, and took part in guided kayak tours led by Outback Adventures and Outdoor Outreach. There were also opportunities to seine for fish, plant native seeds, get up close and personal with a Great Horned Owl, and learn about the work environmentalists are doing throughout the county and beyond. Our ReWild Coalition members taught attendees how to write to their local councilmembers, and San Diego Audubon staff handed out copies of ‘See Your Home?,’ a coloring book created in partnership with the Kumeyaay nonprofit Renascence. An environmental enthusiast’s dream, Love Your Wetlands Day opens the doors to becoming a conservationist, naturalist, land steward, and advocate—all in a single day.
Over 200 volunteers spent their Saturday welcoming members of the community to experience the marsh. Over 40 bird species were seen, and countless groups were led out into the marsh to recover trash, a group of volunteers spent the day repairing nesting platforms, and knowledge was shared under the big tent at our science talks. Even more volunteers spent the day building and repairing tule boats with Dr. Stan Rodriquez, reminding us of the role of the original stewards of our coastlines and sharing their knowledge. Each participant left with more than just memories; they left with a renewed commitment to the earth, empowered by the knowledge and connections gained, as well as plenty of mud on their boots.
A special thank you to the organizers who made this event happen: SDAS’ staff Coral Weaver, Karina Ornelas, Kelcy Coleman, and especially Conservation Manager Cristina Santa Maria and UC San Diego Natural Reserve System’s Reserves Manager Isabelle Kay, UC San Diego’s Devon Tolliver and Debra Bass, Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve Scientist Kellie Uyeda. A heartfelt thank you to the army of volunteers, the dedication of environmental groups, and the generosity of our partners—this day was yours as much as it was the wetlands.
As the sun set on an unforgettable Love Your Wetlands Day, it marked not the end, but a reminder of our ongoing journey in the fight for the wetlands. This day stands as a vibrant call to action, this is the year the city will be looking at the De Anza Natural Plan, and your voice can make a difference in the future of restored tidal wetlands. Wetlands are vital for carbon sequestration, resilient against sea level rise, and rich in biodiversity and recreation opportunities. Let your councilmember know why you love wetlands, and that you want to see more of them! This bright sunny day in a winter full of storms reminds us why preparing for climate change is so important, and together we can demand action from our representatives.
In the days following such a keystone event, we reflect back on a day of collective effort and shared commitment. It was a powerful reminder that our work to safeguard the wetlands is ever-pressing, far-reaching, and not over. This event, fueled by the dedication of environmental advocates and conservation educators, reinforces our resolve to continue this crucial advocacy. Together, we step forward, equipped with new knowledge, connections, and a renewed determination to protect these vital ecosystems for generations to come.
Event Photos by Victor Santos and Karina Ornelas