We Broke Ground on Lagoon Restoration — And You’re Invited

San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy Invites Conservancy and Community Supporters to Learn More about the San Elijo Lagoon Restoration Project at Reviving Your Wetlands Open House December 11

First, we’d like to say wow! This week held a significant milestone in the groundbreaking of the San Elijo Lagoon Restoration Project with Conservancy, State and local leaders. We’re also thanking YOU, because as a supporter of the Conservancy, we invite you to an Open House to learn more about Phase I. Here is how we got the project started:

Groundbreaking November 29

L-R: At the groundbreaking ceremony California Transportation Commissioner and former State Senator Christine Kehoe, Caltrans Acting Chief Deputy Director Laurie Berman,  County District 3 Coastal Community Representative for Supervisor Gaspar – Corrine Busta, SANDAG Vice Chair Terry Sinnott, Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear, California State Senator Pat Bates, Deputy Regional Manager of California Coastal Conservancy Megan Cooper, and San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy Executive Director/Principal Scientist Doug Gibson

Reviving and Thriving

Together, we symbolically planted native species demonstrating how native plants and sensitive and endangered species will thrive upon completion of this project. L-R: Conservancy Philanthropy Director Jennifer Bright, and Solana Beach council members Judy Hegenauer and Jewel Edson

What You’re Going to See

Soon: equipment in the lagoon will appear. They will be clearing vegetation and constructing a series of dikes along the main lagoon channel and inlet to control water elevations and turbidity. As we progress, a 40-foot deep overdredge pit in the central basin will be visible.

Approximately 450,000-cubic yards of beach quality sand will be removed from the overdredge pit and used for beach sand replenishment at Fletcher Cove and Cardiff State Beach in early 2018.

State Leaders

California Senator Pat Bates and Conservancy Director Doug Gibson at the Groundbreaking

California Coastal Conservancy Deputy Regional Manager Megan Cooper and Doug Gibson at the Groundbreaking

Local Leaders

L-R: City of Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear and Cardiff 101 Mainstreet Director Roberta Walker at the Groundbreaking

Flight over Lagoon Waters,  by Lorenzo Menendez

This diving duck eats clams, snails, crustaceans, aquatic insects, seeds, and aquatic plants. Migratory winter visitor

San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy is hosting this event, with venue support by City of Encinitas, at the Encinitas Community Center for Conservancy supporters and community members interested in learning more about Phase I of San Elijo Lagoon Restoration. Conservancy Board President Doug Gillingham will welcome guests, and Conservancy Executive Director and Principal Scientist Doug Gibson will provide an overview of Phase I. You will have the opportunity to view project displays highlighting Reviving Your Wetlands, and meet Build NCC partners actively involved in the project.

We look forward to seeing you soon! Thank you for loving your lagoon as we begin this important endeavor and move beyond our 30^th anniversary year into a future where communities will be even more connected, and nature will continue to be protected and restored.

Questions about Lagoon Restoration—Reviving Your Wetlands?

Leave a comment so we can keep you updated on all the latest news—both behind the scenes as we learn—and about what you’re seeing as restoration begins.