Friends of Colorado Lagoon

FOCL POINTS

Friends of Colorado Lagoon’s FOCL Points Newsletter No. 20 December 2013

Page 1 Page 1

Friends of Colorado Lagoon is a coalition of concerned citizens working to preserve and restore Colorado Lagoon

Colorado Lagoon’s New Look Takes Root by Adrienne Mohan, FOCL Secretary

It has been an incredible year at the lagoon! Combined with funding from Rivers and Mountains

Conservancy and numerous other grants, the Long Beach community has donated time and muscle power

to transform the Western Arm of the Colorado Lagon. In 2013 alone, 1235 volunteers, students, and neighbors

planted over 5000 native plants in habitat areas along the golf course and Park Avenue shoreline. Now you

can see an array of colorful blooms that support critters and represent one portion of a healthy ecosystem.

The following photos illustrate the amazing transformation of the lagoon’s Western Arm, East Bank, and Beach

Garden along the walking path – each created with the help of dedicated volunteers.

There are many exciting things in store for 2014. Interpretive panels will be installed along the trails to

highlight special lagoon features, and the former bathroom on the North Shore will transform into a beautiful

native landscape.

The Friends of Colorado Lagoon needs your help to continue the work that has been started and x

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx fueled by the community. Grants will run out soon, and it’s up to us

as a community to keep the momentum going. Please show your

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx support by making a contribution, which will directly fuel FOCL’s

xx mission to preserve and restore the Colorado Lagoon.

View of the Western Arm of the Colorado Lagoon looking towards Park Ave before planting in 2012(above) and what the habitat looks like now (below). (Photo Credit: Tidal Influence).

December 2013

2007

Page 2

Photos by Tidal Influence

Bladder pod

Photo by Adrienne Mohan

Golden digger wasp

Photo by Adrienne Mohan

FOCL is saddened by the passing of a great supporter, neighbor,

friend and long time board member, Sue Mulliner Considine. Sue

enjoyed birding and walking her dog around the lagoon. She

served as Secretary for many years, ensuring that the board was

operating smoothly. In recent years, Sue divided her time

between her home in Long Beach and on Whidbey Island in

Washington, but always maintained her board responsibilities

whether near or far from the lagoon. With spirit and

determination, she fought her bout with cancer. Sue recently

passed away among friends and family on her beloved

Whidbey Island. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

This year’s planting season will be dedicated in Sue’s honor.

Top: East Bank along Monrovia before planting in 2009 and how it appears now. Below: Beach garden before planting in 2008 and what the functional habitat trash barrier looks like now. (Photo Credit: Tidal Influence).

December 2013

2007

Page 3

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” –Nelson Mandela

FOCL prides itself in the onslaught of educational programs we have provided since the inception

of our educational headquarters at the Colorado Lagoon’s Wetlands and Marine Science Education

Center in 2006. Since then, countless citizens of the greater Long Beach area have received free

instruction about the importance of urban wildlife habitat. FOCL has hosted field trips for classes from

pre-school to graduate school, we have opened the door of the Education Center (aka Science Shack)

each summer to provide programs for beachgoers, and we have hosted an army of volunteers for

service-learning events that help restore the natural habitat of Colorado Lagoon. All of this effort over

the years has been possible thanks to a dedicated militia of educators being present at the Lagoon to

interpret nature. This active place-based education has been a successful educational offensive for

building our conservation effort, but it requires consistency, regular funding, and human presence.

When you visit other points of interest you often will find education signage in the form of

interpretive kiosks. Passive place-based education is an often used educational assault tactic that is

perpetually present to inform visitors 24 hours per day. While the mural on our Education Center is an

interpretive display in itself, there are no other educational signs currently posted at Colorado Lagoon.

Thanks to wonderful partnerships with the City of Long Beach and funders like the Rivers and Mountains

Conservancy, this is going to change in 2014. This January FOCL will be deploying 6 interpretive kiosks

throughout the western arm of the Lagoon. These signs will have the following themes: 1) History, 2) Salt

Marsh Habitat, 3) Marine Life, 4) Habitat Restoration, 5) Water Quality, and 6) An Introduction to Colorado

Lagoon. To compliment these signs FOCL will also be mounting a bulletin board near the Education

Center where we will be posting intel on upcoming events, programs and other happenings.

There is still a long road ahead to the complete the mission of restoring Colorado Lagoon and

FOCL is dedicated to keeping the public informed throughout the process. We invite all of you for a walk

around the Lagoon every 2nd Saturday of the Month at 8 AM to participate in some educational

reconnaissance with our naturalists. However, if Zero Eight Hundred Hours is too early for you, just visit the

Lagoon at your leisure and read our new arsenal of educational kiosks.

Educational Combat

by Eric Zahn, M.S., Restoration Director

Left: FOCL Education Director Taylor Parker amasses an army of students engaged in marine science. Right: One of several different panels that will drop educational bombs on lagoon visitors. (Photo Credit: Tidal Influence).

December 2013

2007

Page 4

Friends of Colorado Lagoon 6475 East PCH #252

Long Beach, CA 90803

(562) 261-9058 www.coloradolagoon.org

FOCL POINTS A quarterly newsletter published by

Friends of Colorado Lagoon

Contributors

Helene Ansel Whitney Graves Adrienne Mohan

Christine Whitcraft Eric Zahn

Estuary Exploration Every second Saturday from 8am-10am December 14 - January 11 – February 8

Tour and explore the wonders of Colorado Lagoon with trained FOCL naturalists.

Weekend Habitat Restoration Every second Saturday from 10am-12am December 14 - January 11 – February 8

Help FOCL naturalists restore the lagoon’s salt marsh and keep the ecosystem clean and healthy.

Salt Marsh Mondays

Every Monday from 10am-12pm There’s no better way to start your week than

helping to restore this community jewel.

Upcoming Activities

Bird Walk for Adults Every Last Sunday from 8:30am-10:30am December 29 - January 26 – February 23

Join FOCL board member, Harriet, on a bird walk to spot feathered friends around the Lagoon. Contact alinkletter@yahoo.com for more information.

Special thanks to our partners in restoration!

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Long Beach, CA

Permit #25