Bolsa Chica Conservancy — Attraction in Seal Beach

Before I visited one I didn't even know what an estuary was. Apparently an estuary is a partly enclosed body of water that occurs along the coast of an ocean. It has an open connection with the sea as well as being fed by sources of fresh water, rivers and streams. Estuaries are a place where fresh water and salt water combine forming a unique environment, hosting a variety of wild life. The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is located in the northwest corner of Orange County California. It is made up of 1200 acres of wetlands and 118 acres of upland habitat. Of the 1200 acres of wetlands certainly some of it could be considered swamp but maybe that's not a very fashionable word. Many of the wonders to be found in an estuary are small wonders, tiny flowers, insect varieties, salamanders and rodents, to name a few. Many of them are the very things you would hide from your neighbors, if they were in your house, are cute and surprising to discover here. We took the Pocket Loop Trail running along the edge of the inner bay. It was just under a mile long and an easy flat walk. Pelicans glided in for soft landings on the placid face of the tidal basin. A Heron stood knee-deep along the shore, waiting stoically for some food to swim or drift by. Smaller birds scurried around, as smaller birds will, seeming unable to decide just what to do. There were places where you could walk to the edge of the upland and view the entire basin. The edge of the basin was lined with discarded plastic bags and other refuge but mostly plastic bags. I had heard that ships in the ocean report seeing large islands of floating plastic trash and debris. I have wondered if these islands support life of any kind and what kinds of life that might be? Could plastic turn out to be not such a bad thing after all? At the estuary volunteers spends some of their Saturdays cleaning up after their fellow citizens. There are good people everywhere. Because estuaries occur along the shore of oceans they are located in heavily populated areas. Building and land development contribute to sedimentation and soil erosion. It invites developers to consider draining and filling estuaries to increase the available valuable shore-front property. Because of the population density even over-fishing is a hazard. Visit an estuary and learn about their value and the need to preserve a balance with nature. If you're in or near Huntington Beach California visit the Bolsa Chica Reserve at 3842 Warner...

This is where the new Interpretive Center is located and should be the first to see before setting out on a hike. This is a popular place for birdwatching and wildlife viewing. The area next to the steel bridge is the only place in the wetlands that allows fishing. Hiking here is easy, with miles of long stretches along the levees and out onto the suburban streets if you wish. In the Spring and Summer, watch out for rattlesnakes along the trails. Keep small children from straying, as there are coyotes all over. Be aware that pickpockets abound, especially at the wooden walkpath adjacent to Highway 1, and at the palm tree nesting sites, where pickpockets will wait until you put your telephoto lens to your eye, and they will walk right in front of your lens, blind you, and try to pick your pocket. It has happened to me. And some will come from behind, get really close, pretending to look the other way, act oblivious to your presence and try to pick your pocket. They are so skilled, one has managed to steal a camera battery from...

I began volunteering here, and the office staff is incredibly rude and unprofessional. This completely turned me off from continuing to volunteer with the Conservancy, and I will be looking into Amigas De Bolsa Chica instead. Who were very kind to me when I had run into them previously. The orientation for the Conservacy was pretty good, and initial communication through email with staff was fine. However, when I returned for my first shift, I was completely ignored, and it was clear that they were not prepared for me nor expected me. Upon asking for assistance, they gave the impression that they did not want to deal with me, nor have time. Unfortunately, while I love Bolsa Chica and I was looking forward to the programs the Conservancy offers, I do not have the time or energy to continue to volunteer my free time somewhere that can not show me, or other new volunteers basic respect and decency. I would not recommend volunteering with the Bolsa Chica Conservancy and looking into other places such as Amigos De Bolsa...