Rancho Los Alamitos Exploration Talk

Los Cerritos Wetlands: Past, Present, and Future

Discover the Los Cerritos Wetlands’ journey from degraded land to robust ecosystem and the plans for an unprecedented restoration.

Elizabeth Lambe, Executive Director of the Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust, and Eric Zahn, Principal at Tidal Influence, will jointly talk about the extraordinary community and natural resource that is the Los Cerritos Wetlands. Once a thriving ecosystem of over 2,400 acres, over the years, much of Los Cerritos Wetlands has been lost to development and infrastructure. Only 500 acres of the original wetlands remain, and many parts are in poor condition. However, the good news is that now half of Los Cerritos Wetlands are in the public trust, with more to come. During this talk, the speakers will share the extraordinary journey of Los Cerritos Wetlands from degraded and cast-off land to its transformation into a robust ecosystem and community resource. Improved habitat is bringing back endangered and threatened species such as the Least Bell's vireo, Belding's Savanah sparrow, and Birds Beak (previously extirpated from the area).

Additionally, learn how Zedler Marsh was restored from degraded land into a vibrant outdoor classroom, where the Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust hosts educational nature walks for Title I schoolchildren across Long Beach. Explore the upcoming, unprecedented restoration of the Southern Portion of Los Cerritos Wetlands. This should be start any day now. And discover the charismatic Pacific green sea turtles that thrive in the San Gabriel River’s unique habitat.

Of course, threats to Los Cerritos Wetlands remain. After all, flat, undeveloped open space is rare along our coastline these days. Proposed developments placed too close to sensitive habitat areas, the impacts of climate change/sea level rise on the wetlands, and ever-increasing human activity deteriorating this sensitive environment are cause for concern. But all in all, the transformation of Los Cerritos Wetlands is a success story that our speakers are eager to share with you.

Tickets are $10 per person.