Creating Wildlife Habitats

Igniting Conversation on the Vital Role of Coastal Wetlands

Nature Collective is leading an awe-inspiring project to restore over four acres of coastal dune and tidal marsh habitats in Encinitas. This isn’t just about restoration; it’s about igniting a conversation on the vital role coastal wetlands and dunes play in our ecosystem and creating enhanced habitats for a multitude of species, including the federally threatened Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus).

Above: Western Snowy Plover at Cardiff Living Shoreline | Cardiff State Beach

The project efforts focus on restoring pocket areas of disturbed habitat, including rare native plant species, like Nuttall’s lotus (Acmispon prostratus) and coast woolly heads (Nemacaulis prostratus).

Above: Nuttall’s lotus thrives in hot, dry, wind-swept conditions

Above: Nature Collective monitors Cardiff Living Shoreline

Nature Collective volunteers also make a huge difference by helping to remove invasive species, collecting and spreading native plant seeds, and propagating plants in our San Elijo Lagoon onsite nursery. Once the seeds have grown into plants, we install them in areas of low vegetation cover.

Above: Volunteers remove invasive plants at Cardiff State Beach

 This project has also allowed Nature Collective to host several impactful public events to amplify our conservation message to over 1,500 people from a diverse range of communities throughout San Diego County.

Volunteers also help in the collection and distribution of rare plant seeds. And the results have been excellent! With the invasive species removed and additional native species seeded, the restoration efforts have significantly impacted the habitats, improving the quality of life for wildlife. It’s an exciting time for habitat restoration and a better ecosystem now and for the future.

Above: Volunteers at San Elijo Lagoon Native Plant Nursery

This project was made possible by funding from the California State Coastal Conservancy via the Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project’s Community Wetlands Restoration grants program.

Your donation can help make projects like this possible. Donate today.