March Restoration Event to Focus on Invasives

March's restoration event (aka, 'Work Party') will focus on invasive pest plant removal and trash abatement on the south side of the Lagoon on the Rios Trail.  These plants, imported from lands far away and spreading rapidly in the Lagoon, have a tendency to disrupt the natural systems of the Lagoon -- so we take them out!  Invasive plants are native to other places, but not here.  This week's targets are Garland Chrysanthemum  (left) and Wild Radish (right). We'll pull the invaders from the moist soil, and pile them on some volunteer trails to close them. The recent rain events resulted in lots of trash flowing into the Lagoon from the I-5 freeway storm drains.  Part of our crew will fetch this trash into plastic bags, and bring back to the Rios Ave. trailhead.

Please visit the registration form on our web site to sign up.  As always, snacks are provided by our good friends at .  Bring a reusable bottle for water (provided).  

Our Lagoon Steward Team Leaders this month will be: Steve Fitch and Paul Worthington, with Pam Fitch staffing the registration table. 

See you there!

Margaret Fillius to Present 'Wildflowers of the Lagoon', a Lecture at Mira Costa College, San Elijo Campus

  1 p.m., Room SAN 201

Speaker : Margaret Fillius

Topic: Wildflowers of the Lagoon

Location: MiraCosta College, San Elijo Campus

Field Hike : Margaret will lead a walk on Sunday, March 28 from 10-Noon beginning at Rios Ave. trailhead

Celebrate spring by learning about the many different plant communities found in San Elijo Lagoon. These different plant communities provide habitat to dozens of wildflowers that will be on display throughout the spring. Get a sneak preview of what to expect through this photographic presentation by Margaret Fillius, author of 'Native Plants – Torrey Pines State Reserve and Nearby San Diego County Locations'.

Lagoon Day 2010 to Feature 'Volunteers in Habitat Restoration' on Saturday, May 15

Plan now to bring the whole family to Lagoon Day 2010 at the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve Nature Center!  We have a great day of learning, walking, and taking action planned for everyone.  This year's theme of 'Volunteers in Habitat Restoration' will feature the work of 'Teen Stewards' --  local high school students who have been developing skills in habitat restoration over the past school year. If you have a bent for volunteering yourself, why not lend a hand with the planning of the event?  We have lots of tasks with YOUR name on them: check-in table, set-up and take-down, information booths, scheduling, publicity -- if you want to do something, there is something to do!  Call Geoffrey today, 760.436.3944.

Lagoon Inlet Opening Scheduled

  Keeping the inlet open to the ocean is critical to maintaining the health of San Elijo Lagoon. The Conservancy’s efforts to maintain the inlet open to tidal flushing have substantially improved habitat quality relative to the stagnant conditions that previously developed when the inlet was closed for prolonged periods.  In 2001, a long-term financial endowment was established to actively fund maintenance of tidal flushing.  Beginning Monday April 19, Conservancy staff will once again be overseeing contractors who will open the inlet to restore tidal flushing to the Lagoon.  Learn more

Escondido 'Creek' -- or is it a Drainage Channel?

The entire length of Escondido Creek -- the stream that flows into San Elijo Lagoon -- and it's tributary Reidy Creek, was entombed in a concrete channel in the 1960's.  Who knew?  The shopping center at the intersection of Valley Parkway and Escondido Blvd is built literally ON TOP OF Escondido Creek.  Who knew?  A wonderful bicycle/pedestrian path runs nearly the full length of the creek within the city limits.  Who knew?  Fish, animals, birds, and plants do not like concrete channels.  We know!  We know!  Thanks to the leadership of City Councilmember Olga Diaz, and the work of some enterprizing graduate students from Cal Poly Pomona's School of Landscape Architecture, Studio 606,  'Reveal the Creek' has been launched!  It is time for Escondido Creek to shed the name of 'drainage channel', as it is commonly refered to by locals.  Read about 606 Studio's efforts to reveal the creek as an important recreation destination.  Join in a public Community Design Workshop for the Escondido Creek Trail on Wednesday, March 24, from 6:30 - 8:00 pm.  See you there, with bicycle bells on! 

(Photo: Courtesy North County Times by Bill Wechter, Staff Photographer.  Looking east from Midway Drive in Escondido along the bike path beside Escondido Creek, Escondido Councilwoman Olga Diaz, center in green, joins a group of bike riders Saturday on a ride from Mayflower Dog Walk to Grape Day Park on the bike trail.  San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy's Geoffrey Smith, in yellow, brings up the rear, piloting his tandem with wife Camille Armstrong at stoker.  April 25, 2009.  read article)