Greening + Lagoon Restoration

Lagoon Restoration is Sprouting a New Look This Winter

Remember when restoration crews transplanted cord grasses to an onsite nursery so that they could be replanted? Now they’re being installed in post-restoration sites in San Elijo Lagoon’s East Basin.

Above: About 3,000 cord grass plants were harvested from the onsite nursery and replanted onsite. This flourishing 1-acre area of California Cord Grass is being transplanted into newly created low salt marsh areas in San Elijo Lagoon’s East Basin, defined as the area east of Interstate 5.
(photo courtesy Build NCC)

Above: Crews install California Cord Grass in San Elijo Lagoon’s East Basin.
(photo courtesy Build NCC)

As the East Basin gets its greening makeover, we’ll move next to the Central Basin (defined as between the railroad and Highway 5). And finally, the West Basin closest to the coast.

Check out the colors and varieties of native plants going into the restored lands:

LOW MARSH HABITAT:

Above: California Cord Grass (Spartina foliosa)

UPLAND TRANSITIONAL HABITAT:

Above: Alkali Heath (Frankenia salina)

Above: Bush Sunflower (Encelia californica)

Above: Sea Dahlia (Leptosyne maritima)

Above: Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata)

While most of the restored lands are being replanted, not all are needing human hands. Parts of the lagoon’s basins will be allowed to let nature take its course. Established native species will naturally move into those areas and take root.

*cover photo courtesy Build NCC