April Restoration Event to take place at Nature Center

April's restoration event (aka, 'Work Party') will focus on invasive pest plant removal at the beautiful new Nature Center.  We'll be turning our attention to wild radish, growing on the grounds around the building and long the trails. We'll pull the invaders from the moist soil, and pile them on some volunteer trails to close them. We'll also help the rangers retrieve the 15-foot long watershed model from storage, and carry it over to it's new permanent home on a pedestal on the west side of the building.  We could use your help!  With your help, we'll have the Nature Center grounds ship-shape in time for Lagoon Day 2010 on May 15!

Please visit the volunteer page on our web site to sign up.  As always, snacks are provided by our good friends at

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

See you there!

Mike Klein to Present 'Insects: One of Nature's Helpers in Plant Reproduction', a Lecture at Mira Costa College, San Elijo Campus

Speaker : Michael Klein

Topic: Insects: One of Naure's Helpers in Plant Reproduction

Location: MiraCosta College, San Elijo Campus

Field Hike : Michael will lead a walk on Saturday, April 24 from 10-Noon beginning at Santa Carina trailhead

When we hear about pollination we usually think of bees. This is very true but Nature has developed long term relations with many other creatures so that they can reproduce. Michael Klein will give an introduction to insect interactions and some of the cues plants use to attract them. Note: This is an evening lecture this time!

Lagoon Day 2010: 'Youth and You in the Lagoon' 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 'Youth and You in the Lagoon' 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, geoffrey@sanelijo.org.

Lagoon Inlet Opening Scheduled - What's That Smell?

We've been getting lots of calls about the high level of water in the Lagoon lately.  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 -- and the organic smell emanating from standing stagnant water will dissipate.  Learn more

Community Outreach Events -- A fun way to help the Conservancy

Community outreach events are a great way to spend some time meeting members of our community, telling them about the Lagoon, and learning new things in the process.  You're invited to support Conservancy staff at these 'tabling events'.  Please contact Geoffrey at 760.436.3944 or geoffrey@sanelijo.org to learn more.  Spend an hour or two at the table -- that's all we ask!

Upcoming outreach events:

• Saturday, April 17, 11am - 3pm: Community restoration event at Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve
• Thursday, April 22, 11am - 2pm: Sony Electronics Earth Day Fair, Rancho Bernardo
• Friday, April 23, 7pm - 9pm: Insect lecture at MiraCosta College
• Saturday, May 15, 10am - 3pm: San Elijo Lagoon Day

More!  Let's talk...