1

The Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation (BLF)

The Great Egret Volume 10 Summer - Fall 2012

[Continued on Page 2]

2

Important Numbers

Nature Center: (760) 931-0800

City of Carlsbad Police Department:

Emergency: 911

Non-emergency: (760) 931-2197

Watch Commander: (760) 937-2115

Calif. Dept. of Fish & Game:

Regional Office: (858) 467-4201

CALTIPS: (888) 334-2258

BLF Addresses & Other Information

Mail: P.O. Box 130491

Carlsbad, CA 92013-0491

Website: www.batiquitosfoundation.org

Email: info@batiquitosfoundation.org

Nature Center Location (Not Mailing Address):

7380 Gabbiano Lane

Carlsbad, CA 92011

Nature Center Hours of Operation:

M-F: 9:00 am - 12:30 pm

Sat-Sun: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Board of Directors & Officers

Fred C. Sandquist - President (2010-2013)

Dr. Anne Spacie - Vice President (2010-2013)

Yvette Huffman - Secretary (2009-2012)

Kevin Kienast - Treasurer (2009-2012)

Jim Brown (2010-2013)

Don Connors (Honorary — Non-voting)

Paula Kirpalani (2011-2014)

Pam Martin (2009-2012)

Don Omsted (2011-2014)

Richard Stolpe (2011-2014)

Newsletter

Published Quarterly

Editor Being Considered

Contact: info@batiquitosfoundation.org

Repair work is underway as we go to

press. No estimate has been made as to

when the BLF Nature Center and im-

pacted trail will be re-opened.

We will place status information on our

website, www.batiquitosfoundation.org

as soon as we know more.

3

From the Desk of the President ….

This has certainly been a very busy time for the BLF. We have

made significant progress with our new nature center project, up-

grading our electrical service, creating and running our first intern-

ship program with 14 high school and college students, have re-

cruited new docents and Nature Center hosts, and have served over

1,000 school children this year with our education program. We

also have executed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Cal-

ifornia’s Department of Fish and Game to form a partnership for

many activities within the Batiquitos Ecological Reserve. This

MOA is expected to serve as a model for CDFG in the South Coast

Region. We held two fundraising events (e.g., Nature’s Magic Ex-

travaganza and our kayak clean-up). We are also making signifi-

cant progress in some land acquisitions that hopefully may result in

further extension of the North Shore Trail through to El Camino

Real at the east end of the lagoon. We hope to provide more infor-

mation on this work as these projects mature.

The recent sewer spill has set us back somewhat, but with partner-

ing with the key players, we are confident that we will return the

lagoon and impacted trail to an even more sustainable level.

We continue to recruit new volunteers, especially for becoming

docents, nature center hosts, and to take leadership and project posi-

tions in our foundation. If you have the time, we would welcome

your help!

While our nations economy is growing again, all non-profit organi-

zations continue to compete for limited financial opportunities and

watch their financials very carefully. The BLF is not alone. We are

looking at ways to improve our financial sustainability. As we

move into the holiday season, please consider donating to the BLF.

We also have our Corporate Sponsorship Program which provides

the opportunity for corporations, local businesses, and organizations

to help us with their financial support.

If you are not yet a member, please consider joining the BLF family

and get involved in preserving, protecting and enhancing Batiqui-

tos Lagoon Ecological Reserve and its associated watershed.

As always, feel free to contact me at (760) 918-2408 or send me an

email at president@batiquitosfoundation.org if you have anything

you would like to discuss or suggest. 2012 is shaping up to be a

very exciting and busy year for the BLF, and I really appreciate

your continued trust and support in serving you as your President!

…Fred C. Sandquist, President

We Need Your Help!

As with any all volunteer organization, the

BLF depends on our volunteers to fill key

foundation positions in support of our pro-

grams and operations. The following is a list

of some of our key positions that we need

support for. If interested or you would like

further information, please call or leave a

message at our Nature Center ((760) 931-

0800) or send an email to: volun-

teer@batiquitosfoundation.org.

Nature Center Hosts

Docents

Volunteer Coordinator/Scheduler

Newsletter Editor (Being Considered)

Webmaster/Electronic Media Chair

Fundraising/Marketing

Educational & Marketing Materials

Maintenance

Trail Captains (for Weed-whacking/

Trail Maintenance)

Grant Writers

A special thanks to some of our key partners who

support the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation by

providing us with discounts, critical services, sup-

port, and products that contribute to of our many

programs or provide direct financial support.

These partners include:

Hunter Industries Waste Management, Park Hy-

att, Aviara, Four Seasons Residence Club, Leu-

cadia Wastewater District (LWD), REI Outdoor

School, San Diego, REI - Encinitas, Anderson’s

La Costa Nursery, Wild Bird Center, Hobie Cat,

Life Technologies, Anderson Stationers, Inc.,

Tree of Life Nursery, FedEx/Kinkos, Callaway

Golf , San Diego Horticultural Society, Palomar

Investigative Group, Inc., Point Loma Credit Un-

ion, Diamond Environmental Services, El

Camino Rental, California Department of Fish &

Game, La Costa Resort & Spa, La Costa Glen,

Hunter Industries, CDS Printing, California

Coastal Conservancy, Louise Julig Writing &

Editing, Home Village Realtors, Archer Johnson

Foundation, Joey’s Smokin BBQ, Kinan Events,

and the Coastal Community Foundation.

4

Candidate Statements for Board of Director Elections

Pamela Martin, Board Member since 2009, has decided not to seek re-election. On behalf of the Board of

Directors and the BLF, we want to express our sincere appreciation for the many hours she has devoted to

our all volunteer organization! Thanks so much for your dedicated service!

Yvette Huffman, BLF Secretary, and Kevin Kienast, BLF Treasurer, have indicated their intent to run for

re-election. Past Board Member Don Rideout has indicated his intent to rejoin the board.

Their candidate statements are indicated below. Write-in candidates and nominations from the floor will

be considered at our November 20, 2012 Annual Membership and regular board meeting.

Yvette Huffman (Incumbent)

I have been in the Common Interest Development (CID) industry since 1988 when I joined Mercury Property Management (MPM) as an assistant to the Vice President of the San Diego Regional Office. Within six months, I was promoted to Property Manager launching a career in the management of homeowner associations. During my tenure with MPM and its successor, Marquis Management Group (MMG) I served as District Manager, Vice President, and became President in 1995. In 1995, I started Executive Community Management (ECM) as a partner and subsequently purchased the company. I successfully ran ECM as sole proprietor from 1998 until 2006 when the business was sold for a profit. I then returned to the collegiate world in 2007 to achieve a lifelong goal of earning a college degree. Presently, I have returned to San Diego and joined DC Property Management Company (DCPMC) as a Partner and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

I have attended and transcribed minutes for more than 1,000 homeowner association Board Meetings not only as a management consultant, but also as a board member. The CID industry joins together a corporate aspect as well as a non-profit element for a unique resume of experience. I also have a pas-sion for environmental preservation and the efforts of the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation serve to chan-nel this passion. I am currently on the board and am serving as BLF Secretary. I would welcome the opportunity to continue to serve the foundation.

Kevin Kienast (Incumbent)

I was born and raised in the Seattle, Washington area and attended Western Washington University, receiving a B.A. in Business Management in 1992. I moved to Carlsbad in 1995 and have held two other Golf Course Superintendent positions before joining the Aviara Golf team in the Fall of 2003. I am currently a Certified Golf Course Superintendent with the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America. I have a young family, wife Amanda, son Bennett (12) and daughter Madilyn (8). My inter-ests include golf, skiing and surfing. I have been active with the Environmental Committee with Four Seasons and now with Park Hyatt. I have maintained membership and been working towards Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary designation for the golf course. I first walked the Batiquitos Lagoon Trail when I moved to Aviara in 1998 and have seen the great work and improvements that the Foun-dation has accomplished in the last decade. I have always considered the Lagoon and its surroundings as an extension of the golf course and community, and would be honored to expand my involvement with the Foundation to ensure the long term success of this vital resource. I am currently serving on the board, serving as BLF Treasurer. Please consider me for re-election to the Board of Directors.

Don Rideout

I am retired after 28 years in local government, most of that with the City of Carlsbad. While at Carls-bad I worked on the Habitat Management Plan and the Batiquitos Lagoon Enhancement Project. I have been a volunteer since 2006 and have previously served on the BLF Board as Secretary and Vice President. During my time with BLF I have focused on the educational programs, particularly the visiting school groups and Club Pelican. I coordinate the docent meetings and the scheduling of docent-led public walks. I wrote a successful grant application to the Coastal Commission to bring students from Borrego Springs Elementary School to Carlsbad for a day at the coast, as well as other grants to support our educational work. I hope to continue with all of these projects as a Board Member.

5

6

7

Seventh Annual Kayak Batiquitos Lagoon Clean-up A Success

Again!

Thanks to our many kayakers and volunteers, and to Hobie Cat and REI (Outdoor School and San Die-

go area stores), we had another successful clean-up event. This year, we removed tires, a washing ma-

chine, a lot of plastic, rusted pipe, plastic pails, tennis balls, and much more! A special thanks goes out

to our summer interns and San Dieguito Academy’s Eco Club and Carlsbad High School students who

helped with registration, kayak launching support, set-up and clean-up, and preparation of many dis-

plays.

We want to thank California Department of Fish and Game for their continued support for our event.

Participants had an opportunity to view many marine and bird life including Leopard Sharks, rays,

breaching Mullet, Ospreys, Red–Tailed Hawks, and various shorebirds.

We are already planning for our Eighth Annual Kayak Batiquitos Lagoon Clean-up event. Mark your

calendars for Saturday, October 5th and Sunday, October 6th, 2013.

8

Significant Progress Made On Our Nature Center

Replacement Project!

As some of us have learned over the years, upgrading a nature center is a very long process to design and

permit. This is especially so within the coastal zone and an area designated as open space. From a permit-

ting perspective, we need a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and Coastal Development Permit (CDP) ob-

tained through the City of Carlsbad. Since the land is owned by the Aviara community and managed by

the Aviara Master Association, they must review, approve and sign our application.

We are please to report that the Aviara Master Association has approved and signed our application, and

that it was formally filed with the City of Carlsbad on October 15, 2012. The Carlsbad Planning Depart-

ment expects to review our package within 30 days and provide us with comments and identify any addi-

tional information that is needed. Once it is determined to be complete, it will be processed by the City,

available for public review and comment, and then reviewed by Carlsbad’s Planning Commission. If all

goes well, the City will issue us our CUP/CDP and we will then be able to order and install our new facili-

ty. This process is expected to take four to six months, hopefully not longer!

We will be working with the city staff to expedite the process, with our objective being able to install our

new nature center in the spring of 2013.

We want to thank the Aviara Master Association and the City of Carlsbad for all of their help in getting us

to this point in the project, and the hard work by BLF Board Member Don Omsted for taking he lead in our

building plans and the permitting process.

Consider making a donation to the BLF to help support furnishing and oth-

er costs associated with this very important project. We expect to offer a

sponsorship program for our new center in the near future. Stay tuned!

9

UPCOMING

EVENTS

October 2012 Tue, Oct 16th: BLF Board Meeting. 4:30 P.M., 7227 Aviara Drive (Park Hyatt

Golf Maintenance Facility), Carlsbad, California. Sat, Oct 20th: Weed-whacking/trail Maintenance. 9 A.M. -12

noon. Volunteers meet at the Park Hyatt - Aviara Golf Course Trailhead.

Sat, Oct 27th: Halloween on Elm Street, 1 - 6 P.M. Carlsbad

Village, between State and Oak streets, Carlsbad. Free family event. Visit our booth.

November 2012 Sat, Nov 3rd: Weed-whacking/trail Maintenance. 9 A.M. -12

noon. Volunteers meet at the Park Hyatt - Aviara Golf Course Trailhead.

Sun, Nov 4th: BLF Carlsbad Street Faire booth. 8 A.M. – 5

P.M. Downtown Carlsbad. Request for volunteers to be issued shortly, with work schedule to follow. Please try and help setup and staff our booth – it’s a fun event!

Wed, Nov 7th: Docent Corps Meeting. 3 P.M, BLF Nature Cen-

ter. Everyone welcome to attend. Fri, Nov 9th: Bird Count. 7:30 A.M. All are welcome; bring bin-

oculars. Meet at the Gabbiano Lane trailhead. Sat, Nov 17th: Weed-whacking/trail Maintenance. 9 A.M. -12

noon. Volunteers meet at the Park Hyatt - Aviara Golf Course Trailhead.

Tue, Nov 20th: BLF Annual Membership Meeting, Board Elec-

tions, and Regular Board Meeting. 4:30 P.M., the BLF Nature Center.

Thu, Nov 22nd: BLF Nature Center will be open from 9 A.M. – 3

P.M.

December 2012

Sat, Dec 1st: Weed-whacking/trail Maintenance. 9 A.M. -12 noon. Volunteers meet at BLF Nature Center.

Sat, Dec 1st: Beach Walk, examining the critters living in a kelp

holdfast, and looking at what is growing on the jetty rocks, and watch the sunset. 3 P.M. Meet at the South Ponto Beach parking lot. Parking passes will be provided

Wed, Dec 5th: Docent Corps Meeting. 3 P.M, BLF Nature Cen-

ter. Everyone welcome to attend. Fri, Dec 14th: Bird Count. 7:30 A.M. All are welcome; bring

binoculars. Meet at the Gabbiano Lane trailhead. Sat, Dec 15th: Weed-whacking/trail Maintenance. 9 A.M. - 12

noon. Volunteers meet at BLF Nature Center. Tue, Dec 18th: BLF Board Meeting. 4:30 P.M., the BLF Nature

Center. Tue, Dec 25th: BLF Nature Center will be open from 9 A.M. – 3

P.M.

January 2013 Tue, Jan 1st: BLF Nature Center will be open from 9 A.M. – 3

P.M. Wed, Jan 2nd: Docent Corps Meeting. 3 P.M, BLF Nature Cen-

ter. Everyone welcome to attend. Sat, Jan 5th: Bird walk along the North Shore Trail. Expect to

see a number of migratory waterfowl on the lagoon as well as shorebirds and upland birds. 9 A.M. Meet at BLF Na-ture Center.

Sat, Jan 5th: Weed-whacking/trail Maintenance. 9 A.M. -12

noon. Volunteers meet at BLF Nature Center. Fri, Jan 11th: Bird Count. 7:30 A.M. All are welcome; bring

binoculars. Meet at the Gabbiano Lane trailhead. Tue, Jan 15th: BLF Board Meeting. 4:30 P.M., the BLF Nature

Center. Sat, Jan 19st: Weed-whacking/trail Maintenance. 9 A.M. -12

noon. Volunteers meet at BLF Nature Center.

February 2013 Sat, Feb 2nd: Weed-whacking/trail Maintenance. 9 A.M. -12

noon. Volunteers meet at BLF Nature Center. Wed, Feb 6th: Docent Corps Meeting. 3 P.M, BLF Nature Cen-

ter. Everyone welcome to attend.

Fri, Feb 8th: Bird Count. 7:30 A.M. All are welcome; bring bin-oculars. Meet at the Gabbiano Lane trailhead.

Sat, Feb 16th: Weed-whacking/trail Maintenance. 9 A.M. -12

noon. Volunteers meet at BLF Nature Center. Tue, Feb 19th: BLF Board Meeting. 4:30 P.M., the BLF Nature

Center.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR Sat, October 5th, Sun, October 6th, 2013: Eighth Annual

Kayak Batiquitos Lagoon Clean-up Event. First launching at 7:30 A.M. each day at the La Costa Ave-nue / I-5 Park and Ride. More information to come!

10

Nature Center Electrical Service Upgrade Project Completed!

As everyone who has visited or volunteered at our Nature Center may have noticed, our electrical service

has been provided by overhead wires via a number of wooden power poles. We also had a very old step-

down power transformer that took our 480 volt service and reduced it to 240 volts to feed to our center.

This system was very old, with the wooden power poles suffering from rot.

As part of our Nature Center Replacement Project, we had included upgrading our service by burying our

lines in underground conduit and replacing our aging power transformer with a more modern one. We also

wanted to place the transformer inside the Pump Station fenced area near where we get our 480 volt ser-

vice from SDG&E for safety and security. Recently, our power poles and overhead lines became much

more of a hazard, so we advance the project. Working with the City of Carlsbad, Aviara Master Associa-

tion, and SDG&E, we developed a plan and obtained an electrical permit.

Board member Don Omsted had experience in doing this type work and became our “lead engineer” for

the project. Don Connors also had experience in doing this work and a team was formed!

While this article cannot do justice for all the problems faced and work that was needed, it was successful-

ly completed and we passed our final electrical inspection on Friday, October 15, 2012. Our plan also in-

cluded consideration of our new nature center so we are ready for installation of it hopefully in the spring

of 2013.

We want to thank all who worked so hard to bet this project completed. We also want to highlight Park

Hyatt - Avira's help in trenching for our underground conduit. The soil was very hard and the use of their

trencher saved us a lot of time.

Our Weed-whacker/Trail Maintenance volunteers will be restoring the trenched area back to a natural state.

11

12

Membership

Membership in Batiquitos Lagoon

Foundation is a great way to support our ef-

forts to maintain and improve this beautiful

natural resource.

Annual memberships are available in the

following categories:

Student/Senior Citizen $15

Individual $20

Family $30

Sponsor $60

Patron $160

Business Assoc $250

Sustaining $500

Join & pay via bank debit or major credit

card through our website

www.batiquitosfoundation.org Memberships and donations are tax deducti-

ble.

REMINDER TO MEMBERS: Check the expiration date at the top of your mailing label to find out when you need to renew your membership.

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

PAID ENCINITAS, CA PERMIT #471

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation P.O. Box 130491 Carlsbad, CA 92013-0491

The Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation was established on January 7,

1983 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, dedicated to preserving,

protecting, and enhancing the Batiquitos Lagoon Ecological Re-

serve and its associated watershed, riparian, coastal sage and up-

land habitats.

NATURE CENTER HOURS

Monday—Friday: 9:00 am to 12:30 pm

Saturday & Sunday: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

For information:

Visit our Website: www.batiquitosfoundation.org

Call: (760) 931-0800

Email: info@batiquitosfoundation.org