Where The SUN, Southwestern College meets the WiLDCOAST

South Bay wetlands restoration brings together SD county residents

2011-03-02T08:15:00.000-08:00

South Bay wetlands restoration brings together SD county residents

Shannon Dougherty, San Diego Audubon Society

Rediscovering a grand South Bay treasure

2011-02-26T21:02:00.000-08:00

The Human Chord-Rediscovering a grand South Bay treasure

http://www.southwesterncollegesun.com/arts/wildcoast-founder-s-inspiring-book-celebrates-miracle-of-our-coasts-1.2010006

2011-02-24T08:51:00.000-08:00

The Sun- WiLDCOAST founder's inspiring book celebrates miracle of our coasts

By Alex Alberts

New Book Explores Beach Culture, Conservation in California and Mexico - Imperial Beach, CA Patch

2011-01-28T19:22:00.000-08:00

New Book Explores Beach Culture, Conservation in California and Mexico - Imperial Beach, CA Patch

The Pure Joy of Surfing - Imperial Beach, CA Patch

2011-01-13T06:36:00.000-08:00

The Pure Joy of Surfing - Imperial Beach, CA Patch

Another great column by Dr. Serge Dedina!

Volunteers needed January 22 at WiLDCOAST-Join the fun!

2011-01-10T18:02:00.000-08:00

The Real Baja - Imperial Beach, CA Patch

2011-01-05T10:50:00.000-08:00

Serge recently began writing a column for Imperial Beach Patch.com. He certainly knows how to tell a good story. Here is his latest column along with a link for his previous ones. Enjoy the story.

The Real Baja - Imperial Beach, CA Patch

http://imperialbeach.patch.com/users/serge-dedina/articles?page=1

Surfing by the I.B. pier.

Study tracks turtles journey across South Atlantic - AP

2011-01-05T06:58:00.000-08:00

Here are some very interesting findings on Leatherback turtles released today.

Study tracks turtles journey across South Atlantic - Associated Press

Leatherback turtles traced on Atlantic 'danger' trips-BBC

California Fish and Game Commission pass final Southern California Marine Life Protected Areas

2010-12-28T09:57:00.000-08:00

California Fish and Game Commission pass final Southern California Marine Life Protected Areas-San Diego News Room

NEW MARINE PROTECTED AREA: The mouth of the Tijuana River is newly designated as a State Marine Conservation Area by a recent vote by the California Fish and Game Commission.

"Dr. Serge Dedina, WiLDCOAST executive director, said the designation of the coastal and marine region at the mouth of the Tijuana River as an MPA is a significant step in its efforts to protect the ecological and economic values of our natural resources. He said WiLDCOAST recently stopped a $75-million Army Corps dredging project that would have destroyed the reef and used its nomination as an MPA to justify its efforts.

“Thirty years after standing in front of bulldozers to stop the destruction of the Tijuana Estuary, I surf the offshore reefs of the federally protected estuary and recently declared marine protected area,” he said. “It was only until the MPA process that this amazing reef—home to our resident pod of bottlenose dolphins and probably the most important leopard shark spawning sight in Southern California—was officially recognized as a real ecosystem.”"

Albert Fulcher

2010-12-26T09:56:00.000-08:00

Albert Fulcher Before and after the rain.

American Coot at the J Street Marsh

2010-12-24T08:16:00.000-08:00

J Street Marsh-After days of torrential rainfall in San Diego an American Coot swims through an oily, sudsy film from days of inland runoff.

Photos-Albert H. Fulcher

Imperial Beach sand restoration on hold - The Sun - News

2010-12-21T07:49:00.000-08:00

Imperial Beach sand restoration on hold - The Sun - News
By Anthony Dacong

Imperial Beach, Calif.-Albert Fulcher

las islas de Coronado desde el estuario de Tijuana

2010-12-21T07:47:00.000-08:00

A ‘Serge’ of hope - The Sun - Campus

2010-12-20T09:33:00.000-08:00

A ‘Serge’ of hope - The Sun - Campus

WiLDCOAST-Executive Director Dr. Serge Dedina looks at unusual red tide at the pier in Imperial Beach, Calif.

Tijuana teams up for October’s Tijuana River Valley clean up

2010-10-27T21:28:00.000-07:00

Southwestern Sun staff writer Bianca Villegas and staff photojournalist Andrea Hernandez went and spent the day in one of Tijuana's larges clean up efforts taking place in several spots along the border. October has been a massive effort of WiLDCOAST and its partners on both sides of the border. The Tijuana River Valley clean up this month has been a tremendous success with the help of all of the organizations and the individual community people who come out in swarms to protect the precious resources of the Tijuana River.
Bianca and Andrea have a story to tell, one in words and the other through the eye of a lens.

By Bianca Villegas

As familiar as I am with the city of Tijuana it was not easy to reach the destination of this particular clean up of the Tijuana river canyon. Feeling like a tourist I made my way to a student and asked for their teacher. I talked to maestra Claudia Ines Sanchez, who is the social coordinator at Lazaro Cardenas high school. Starting at 8am, her students were picking waste off the Tijuana canal in the community of Los Rosales.

Photo credtis/Andrea Hernandez

Students and teachers have the interest to support this cause because they do not want the waste to be released into the ocean. Calidad de Vida is the organization that since 2008 encourages the participation in these cleanups, and they don’t want to break this habit. They have formed groups of volunteers that meet on Saturdays in different checkpoints throughout several cities south of the border.

In the playas area, the high school Reina Isabel collaborates with Calidad de Vida to orchestrate these cleanups. Most of the volunteers are either citizens of the communities, or students that became interested by hearing about the programs and events at their schools.

There are clean up site “checkpoints” throughout Tijuana and reaching all the way to Ensenada. These clean ups have been going on for 10 years.

Alejandro Reyes was the site captain at this particular checkpoint. He was also part of organizing the event Salvemos la Playa, which comprised of various ecologically friendly organizations in Tijuana and businesses that support them, who strive to maintain the beaches of Tijuana clean.

In attendance were 38 students in one area of the clean up. Around 50-60 were cleaning on a separate site. The organizers of Calidad de Vida and theatre students from the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California (UABC) were set up in another site.

The students organize the trash at their high schools according to a registry to determine which is the most common trash found in the canal. From their respective schools they send the trash to the dump and the rest of the classified waste to the recycling center.

Every site has a different workshop: sports, health, and various creative activities. Environmentalists make up the leadership of these organizations. Young themselves, the organizers understand the importance of implementing the efforts of the youth.

Reyes said they urgently need the help of young volunteers, which is why they recruit at high schools where they require hours of social volunteering.

He believed it was necessary to stress that:

“From the people of this same community there hasn’t been much response. They are indifferent, but it is hard to believe that they don’t care about waste. In order to progress, one has to clean up first.”

Cleaning up the Tijuana river canyon is about a quality of living space, hygiene, and education. This is a program for the bettering of quality of life. September was the month of action for this organization, Tijuana River Action Network. Every month there are different cleanups throughout 20 sites in Tecate, Rosarito and Playas de Tijuana.

Like Alejandro Reyes Carmen Romo, Gabriel Sanchez, Claudette Ramirez and Jose Segovia have been working for Calidad de Vida since 3 years ago.

About the organization, Carmen Romo said,

“Nacimos tratando de promover calidad de la vida urbana” We [this organization] were born with the intention to promote the quality of urban life.

Los organizadores come from a background in architecture or engineering.

They people need to live is to feel secure and comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, in a clean place. Calidad de Vida also promotes the cycling movement by repainting bike lanes. They have increased vigilance in the malecon for more security.

Calidad de Vida has been using a technique called YANTEK, which consists of shaving down old tires arranging them as seats or decorations at parks. They have also started a movement to demand the use of permeable pavements: hexagons made of cement and gravel, so the water passes through when it rains.

Parque binacional was developed on a stretch of land that is bisected by the international border with the purpose of educating about conservation for native plant life. Inciting environmental education in neighborhoods or communities, Calidad de Vida has been maintaining this space clean and sustainable as their message to the community.

This organization has created a compost center, in order to create more fertile earth. At the town council and airport. Want to convey a message to the suburban communities. The earth is used in gardens and schools, where growth and learning takes place. The message seems clear to me: a clean canyon can mean a new life.

Montserrat Torres, 17, a physics major from the high school Lazaro Cardenas has been participating every year. There is promotion in her school she says, but participation is optional. Torres said:

“Having clean ups of the canal is a good idea”.

Present also are the students of visual arts from UABC. The students are complying with their social service requirement by giving workshops on how to maintain the place clean, and planning an art activity to do with the community. They take these workshops from site to site like gypsies. The students use recyclable materials for their art supplies.

UABC’s Tania Munoz, 24, theatre major. Munoz said,

“Queremos implementar el arte en el reciclaje y el reciclaje en el arte”. The students make their rounds through their neighborhoods clad in feather and sequin masks, inviting the people to participate. An entertaining nomadic invitation to social aid. Collective efforts are silently enticing, the art and the cleaning, the work and the play are something to be enjoyed as a community.

The next artistic endeavor of the visual arts students will be to paint the trash containers that are used to classify recyclables and waste with the people of the communities. The promise of a quality future is attainable when the community takes part in rebuilding their own home. The classification of waste needs to be reevaluated, much like our knowledge; the trash needs to be weeded from material that can be reused in consideration of progress.

Photo credits/Andrea Hernandez

Effie May Trail

2010-10-14T18:50:00.000-07:00

WiLDCOAST has spent all of this month cleaning up. I was able to make it to the Effie May Trail clean up and I was amazed at what I saw. Never walking on the riverbed, I was astounded by the thick growth that totally envelops the trail. And then, there was trash. Lots of trash.

Paloma, Stephanie and Ben were armed and ready and had a lot of helping hands, and none of them were afraid to get their hands dirty. Being a riverbed, many things had to be dug up, buried by flowing water during the rainy seasons.

The number of cameras there was ridiculous, but then I realized that Outside the Lens was out in full force with cameras and video. Rachel Lebowitz said they had 19 volunteers working on this educational project. What a phenomenal program it is and I hope to work with and write about them again.

Kristina Ross, community events coordinator, I Love a Clean San Diego came out in support and force.

California State San Marcos came heavily armed with the Alpha Pi Sigma representing.

Once again, they proved what a community could accomplish together. With 91 volunteers, more than 1,000 pounds of trash and 75 tires were removed in a morning.

On the same day, I sent some of my peers to cover the clean-up effort in Tijuana. I will be posting their story and pictures soon. I can tell you now they became WiLDCOAST fans. It cannot be helped. It's contagious.

Photo credits/Albert Fulcher

It's your Park-Protect it! Otay Valley Regional Park

2010-09-26T09:01:00.000-07:00

Otay Valley Regional Park Clean-up

From the very young to the young at heart, the South Bay community came together. More than140 people joined WiLDCOAST on Saturday September 25 in the Otay Valley Regional Park (OVRP) to pick up trash.

WiLDCOAST OVRP Coordinator Katie Westfall and OVRP Park Ranger John Barone led the group in the much need removal of trash that consistently is dumped in the park, creating a hazard to the park and the wildlife that depends on it.
Let the pictures tell the story.

WiLDCOAST Katie Westfall and OVRP Park Ranger John Barone

Immediate Press Release from WiLDCOAST--Organizations Oppose Placement of Power Plant in the Otay Valley Regional Park

2010-09-22T19:06:00.000-07:00

Contact:

Katie Westfall

Katie@wildcoast.net

Office: (619) 423-8665 x212

Cell: (858) 366-5713

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 22nd, 2010

Organizations Oppose Placement of Power Plant in the Otay Valley Regional Park

Imperial Beach, California. Twelve environmental organizations—local, statewide, and national—

signed-on to a letter released today to the California Energy Commission opposing the placement of

a 300-megawatt (MW) natural gas power plant inside the Otay Valley Regional Park, located in

south San Diego County four miles north of the U.S. – Mexico Border.

The organizations that signed-on to the letter include: WiLDCOAST, Friends of the OVRP, The

City Project, Conservation Biology Institute, Endangered Habitat League, Endangered Habitat

Conservancy, Center for Biological Diversity, San Diego River Park Foundation, Sierra Club San

Diego Chapter, Natural Resources Defense Council, San Diego Audubon Society, and Preserve

Wild Santee.

The power plant is proposed for an area located within the City of Chula Vista’s Preserve, which is

designated as a “100% Conservation Area” in the City of Chula Vista Multiple Species

Conservation Program (MSCP) Subarea Plan. This designation is for land to be preserved and

managed for its biological resources.

Apex Power Group LLC, the power plant developer, submitted an application to the California

Energy Commission on June 30, 2010, to develop a plant and a substation on approximately 14-

acres of undisturbed land, along the southeastern city boundary of the City of Chula Vista. The

project, called the Pio Pico Energy Center, is proposed to be located within the boundary area of the

Otay Valley Regional Park.

The proposed natural gas peaker plant would be located directly adjacent to the Otay Lakes County

Park, a 78-acre County-operated park also located in the OVRP that offers the community hiking

trails, picnic areas, and a playground among other amenities.

The Otay Valley Regional Park (OVRP) is a public open space park with a planning area of 9,000-

acres in the Otay River Valley. It is a greenbelt that cuts between the Cities of Chula Vista and

South San Diego and extends from the Otay Reservoirs to the southern wetlands of the San Diego

Bay. The park is shared by the County of San Diego and the Cities of San Diego and Chula Vista

and is one of the last areas of open space in south San Diego County.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) will ultimately decide if this project will be permitted.

The CEC licenses power plants 50 megawatts (MW) and larger and the facilities related to those

plants. They will hold public workshops and hearings as part of the process before making a final

􀀁

WiLDCOAST conserves coastal and marine ecosystems and wildlife.

925 SEACOAST DRIVE 􀀁 IMPERIAL BEACH, CA 91902 􀀁 619.423.8665 􀀁 WWW.WILDCOAST.NET

decision, in which the pubic is encouraged to participate.

“The OVRP is a shining jewel of the South Bay. Do we really want to tarnish this jewel by placing

a power plant here?” says Serge Dedina, Executive Director of WiLDCOAST. “This project does

not belong in the park.”

WiLDCOAST was founded in 2000 to conserve coastal and marine ecosystems and wildlife.

Every time I go

2010-09-19T18:05:00.000-07:00

These three sandpipers in J Street Marsh captured my attention. Low tide, high tide, it doesn't matter. There is always a great display of shore birds at any time of the day. At low tide, the water is still. I had to take a "double take" at this one.

BBC News - Freshwater turtles face 'bleak future'

2010-09-10T20:11:00.000-07:00

From the ocean to the rivers and ponds, turtles of all species are now in danger of extinction.
BBC News - Freshwater turtles face 'bleak future'

Tijuana River Action Month online registration is now open!

2010-09-10T19:41:00.000-07:00

Every volunteer makes a difference!

Tijuana River Action Month online registration is now open!

WiLDCOAST said no to proposed peaker plant in Otay Valley Regional Park

2010-08-28T09:42:00.000-07:00

WiLDCOAST and local environmentalist say "NO" to proposed peaker plant construction in the Otay Valley Regional Park.

Chula Vista to begin construction on natural-gas fired peaker plant.

NOW YOU SEE IT, THEN YOU WILL NOT: Proposed site for additional peaker plant sits directly below Otay Lakes Park. Construction on this site will completely block the view of the Otay Valley Regional Park.

BBC News - Anti-whaling NGOs warn of 'contaminated' whale meat

2010-08-27T18:52:00.000-07:00

BBC News - Anti-whaling NGOs warn of 'contaminated' whale meat

I love BBC News! Their coverage of worldwide environmental and wildlife issues is a lesson for American media.

Wildlife and Offshore Drilling: Sea Turtles

2010-08-27T07:16:00.000-07:00

WiLDCOAST continuously works to educate and preserve the natural habitat and nesting grounds of all species of sea turtles. This article from Defenders of Wildlife discusses the impact of the BP's oil spill on the the life of sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico and Florida's Atlantic coast. More to come on WiLDCOAST's efforts to save this ancient species that has survived on this planet for more than 150 million years.

Wildlife and Offshore Drilling: Sea Turtles

BBC News - BP oil spill: Undersea oil remains in Gulf of Mexico

2010-08-19T20:45:00.000-07:00

BBC News - BP oil spill: Undersea oil remains in Gulf of Mexico

St. Therese blesses WiLDCOAST’s Otay Valley Regional Park Youth Restoration Site

2010-08-08T09:53:00.000-07:00

St. Therese Catholic Church in Del Cerro sent 12 young disciples to work in WiLDCOAST’s Otay Valley Regional Park Youth Restoration Site on Friday, August 6. Armed with gloves, water buckets and a lot of heart, these young people spent more than two hours watering and removing invasive plant species on this three-acre restoration project lead by Katie Westfall.

St. Therese's 12 desciples: Christine Dang, Valeria Cardenas, Sean Dowling, Geoff Supplee, Mark McHoruey, Jennie Klotz, Norma Davenport, Melody Van Tassell, Ashley Warren, Kaitlyn Gomez, Darcy Van Mouwerik, Molly Minney.

Eager to work and learn, they wasted no time in getting started. Piles of invasive species were pulled from the roots. Within an hour, I was shocked at the transformation of the site. Native species of the region seemed radiant with the removal of all the dry brush.

Park Ranger John Barone was thrilled to see such a turnout. He said that the work done this day gave the young native plants a better fighting chance at survival. Barone pointed out to everyone where native plants of the region are already propagating on their own.

Plant identification: Ranger Barone educates on the native species of the Otay Valley Regional Park.

Clean-up: Darcy Van Mouwerik, 16, moves piles of dry brush after spending an hour pulling out the invasive weeds.

Westfall, working with the group all week on several projects said the group’s work all week on several projects was inspiring and in the short time that I spent with them, I see why. Their enthusiasm and work ethics were clearly demonstrated, setting an example that they can carry with them and spread to all they come in contact with.

Always a teacher: Katie Westfall speaks to the group concerning the work of the day.

No easy work: Valeria Cardenas, 17, works meticulously to remove dry weeds, still protecting young plants.

Teamwork: Darcy Van Mouwerik, 16, Molly Minney,17, and youth group leader Sean Dowling,20, begin bagging piles of pulled weeds.

When the morning work was completed, they wanted to know what more they could do. On their own, they took trash bags and walked around Fenton Pond, picking up trash. This program needs more volunteers like this for the restoration program to grow.

Kaitlyn Gomez, 16

Geoff Supplee, 17

St. Therese “the little flower” is one of the greatest saints of the 20th century. “My way is all confidence and love. What matters in life is not great deeds, but great love,” she wrote. “I will spend my heaven doing good on earth. I will let fall a shower of roses.”

Witnessing the deeds of this group, I believe St. Therese showered these youth with her blessing of roses.

Group leader Sean Dowling leads by expample.

Laughing through a morning of hard work.

Looking for more work the youth group hits the trail around Fenton Pond to pick up trash.

Photo credits/Albert Fulcher

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WiLDCOAST program removes tons of trash on both sides of the U.S./Mexico border

2010-08-03T13:32:00.000-07:00

I am always amazed when I meet someone who’s life is so intermingled on both sides of the border. Their personal story is such an intricate mix of their love of Mexico and America. Two cultures with just as many things in common as not. WiLDCOAST’s Paloma Aguirre is one of these stories.

Coordinator for the Coastal Conservation Program, Aguirre heads a major joint effort clean-up project in the Tijuana River Valley y cruzando la línea, en el Cañón del Alacrán (Scorpion Canyon) en Los Laureles, Tijuana.

Born in America, Aguirre lived her life in Mexico until 2001. Leaving Puerto Vallarta to live in San Diego, she arrived just a few days before 9/11. Aguirre said that she always wanted to come back here for an education and also to be a bodyboarding competitor.

Catching waves in Imperial Beach is where she met Serge Dedina. Aguirre said she saw him placing water signs on the beach. Curious, she went to him to ask what he was doing. She had no idea of the pollution problems that this tiny beach town has suffered for years. With her love of the ocean-came the love of the cause. Aguirre began volunteering for WiLDCOAST in 2005.

Aguirre volunteered for two years, worked part time and then went back to school. Graduating USD in psychology she has been program coordinator for WiLDCOAST’s bi-national cleanup efforts for a year. She said she is a passionate advocate of ocean conservation and that clean up of the Tijuana River Valley is an vital portion of keeping the estuary and ocean clean.

These clean-up projects are well coordinated, volunteer based and enabled by concerned citizens on both sides of the U.S./Mexico border. In one day, with more than 50 volunteers removed a half ton of trash and 100 waste-tires from Effie May’s Trail.

Effie May's Trail: Solid waste covers the trail. More than a half ton of trashed was removed in one day.

Photos courtesy of WiLDCOAST

On July 24, more than 20 city workers and 45 residents in Los Laureles, Tijuana gathered with WiLDCOAST to remove solid waste and trash from Cañón del Alacrán. Using two heavy duty excavators, two dump trucks, this team of volunteers removed more than 15 tons of solid waste and trash.

Aguirre has many goals for her program. She said her goal is to inform stakeholders on both sides of the border the effects of trash and river run-off and its impact on our entire local ecosystem.

Encompassing 1,739 square-miles the Tijuana River watershed has been a doorway of pollution leaving a path of trash and contaminants, fed into the ocean at the river’s mouth. WiLDCOAST reports show that depending on ocean current this pollution impacts beach water quality from Playas de Tijuana, Mexico up to Coronado.

This is a bi-national problem, and WiLDCOAST, with the hard work of people like Aguirre are pulling two nations together for a common cause.

Aguirre said it is not easy with a life that crosses the border constantly, but she has WiLDCOAST in her blood.

“I grew up in Mexico and all of my family lives there,” said Aguirre. “WiLDCOAST has been a constant in my life-my extended family. Under the leadership of Dr. Dedina, someone with such a passion, it is a great family to be a part of.”

Paloma is always looking for volunteers that can work on both sides of the border. Lend a helping hand. Contact her at paloma@wildcoast.net.

Here is a link to a WiLDCOAST press release on the event with an amazing photographic slide show.

http://bit.ly/a5oiTx

Tell Congress: Donate All Oil Company Campaign Contributions to Save Gulf Wildlife

2010-07-30T10:19:00.000-07:00

Tell Congress: Donate All Oil Company Campaign Contributions to Save Gulf Wildlife

Tracking IB's 'smelly water' - SignOnSanDiego.com

2010-07-30T07:43:00.000-07:00

Tracking IB's 'smelly water' - SignOnSanDiego.com

J Street Marsh-an aviary paradise in an industrial hell

2010-07-25T10:25:00.000-07:00

Many say the survival and evolution of humans comes from their ability to adapt. I disagree. Humans overpower and force the earth to adjust to poor judgment. Oil stretching throughout the Gulf of Mexico is a manifesto of human intention and its inability to acclimatize to the environment of this planet.

J Street Marsh is a paradigm of nature’s ability to adjust in a defiled environment. Encompassed by industrial district and toxic waste, this marsh is still a home and feeding grounds for hundreds of native and migrating birds.

BIRD IN PARADISE: J Street Marsh is a perfect location for for birdwatchers to see snowy egrets wandering through the marsh.

Chula Vista Marina View Park is an excellent spot that provides a close look at the wildlife reliant in the solitary brackish estuarine area on the east side of the bay.

CHULA VISTA MARINA VIEW PARK: A small channel divides the park from the marshlands allowing visitors a close view of the natural habitat and wildlife dependent on this brackish estuarine environment.

Recently, in doing research on the current Chula Vista Master Bayfront Plan, I took my first trip to this tiny piece of paradise. Revisiting this spot several times now, I am learning habits of shore birds and how much of their behavior depend on tides.

One thing you can count on is that there is always activity in the marsh and the bay, a constant open curtain to a living opera.

Sandpipers fill the area at low tide surrounded by egrets. During high tide, egrets wander the marsh as gulls, pelicans and terns fly and dive. With a close-up stunning view, a habitat deserves to survive— and thrive.

LIVING SYMPHONY: During low tide a multitude of shore birds can be seen throughout the mud flats and marshes.

LONE SANDPIPER: With the mud flats full of sandpipers, this loner picks the edges of the channel.

PENINSULA OF BIRDS: Seemingly always covered with gulls and other shore birds, this small peninsula allows visitors an in the bay view of the marina and marshes.

GREAT EGRET: Deeper into the marsh this great egret is still recognizable with its long yellow beak and larger size.

Contaminating the bay for 50 years the South Bay Power Plant continuously kills billions of estuarine life with water cooling, magnitude and proximity. Air quality is poor due to its permissions of deadly waste and warm water discharged has created a border disabling marshlands to grow. To preserve this miniature bit of Eden, the power plant must go.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD: A tern soars above the marshland, despite the enormous bird-strike friendly South Bay Power Plant.

Photo credits/Albert H. Fulcher

More J Street Marsh photos on Facebook

Port Tenant Set to Deliver First-Ever, Biofuel-Powered Navy Vessel | Port of San Diego

2010-07-23T10:12:00.000-07:00

Port Tenant Set to Deliver First-Ever, Biofuel-Powered Navy Vessel Port of San Diego

Summer days, Imperial Beach

2010-07-17T18:26:00.000-07:00

Imperial Beach (I.B.) is home to WiLDCOAST, and me. It is a small town in a big city with a life and style of its own. Its reputation has changed over time from a roughneck biker town, riddled with drugs to a precious piece of coastal land that shares its life with the Tijuana River Estuary.

I.B. still has a distinctive, laid-back flavor that has always been a draw for those of us who choose to live here. Even with the massive population explosion in the past 20 years, you just cannot get the taste of I.B. out of your mouth.

Imperial Beach's laid-back feel is contagious.

By far, the best attraction in I.B. is the estuary. My favorite is walking to the mouth of the Tijuana River. Spectacular views and an abundance of wildlife travel alongside.

It has been a long time since I have walked my way to the river on the beach, but it was a beautiful I.B. day. “June Gloom” left and it really felt like July was here.

Getting to the beach, I looked at the crowd that thickened closer to the pier. Bustling with people, fishing, swimming, tanning and surfing, I walked down to the river first.

A group of sandpipers where first to greet me. I find it comical watching them run in and out of the surf searching for food. They run back and forth, as the waves came in, as if they do not want to get their feet wet.

Sandpipers run back and forth with incoming waves foraging for food.

Two lone surfers were catching the waves away from the crowd. Seeing surfers out on their boards, particularly while waiting on sets and in a more relaxed state, I can see their connection with the water.

I am not a big fan of being “in” the ocean, but I have always lived close to one, and in places surrounded by lakes and marshes. A sailor with more than 10 years “on” the ocean, I know this relationship with the sea is a reality to a spiritual level.

Surfing away from the crowds and closer to nature.

Pleasantly surprised for midday, birds were flying back and forth from the estuary to the ocean, diving then flying back. Walking at the top to look at the estuary there was a huge flock of birds of all feathers gathered together on a tiny patch of sandy land. Terns, gulls, pelicans and ducks all together, taking turns flying to the ocean or into the river to get food. I believe I discovered the estuary’s Time Square.

This sand piece of the estuary acts as a major airport for feeding birds.

At the mouth of the river, you see it all. All you have to do is look around. Mexico, the river and estuary, birds and if you look far down the beach, you can still see people and the pier.

Forcing itself into the estuary the ocean is living at the river’s mouth and you can see how nature works in balance. This is a great place to sit for as long as you can and look. Here, I find a silent muse and companion.

Mouth of the Tijuana River

This California Sea Lion has a large open wound as it swims close to the pier.

At one with the ocean.

Photo Credits-Albert Fulcher

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Backyard Birds

2010-07-15T15:31:00.000-07:00

Hummingbirds, scrub jays and a hodgepodge of birds visit me in my backyard every day. I especially love this time of year and I wake early every morning to watch the birds come to life as the sun rises.

Young birds are out learning territory and survival. Migrating birds, with the addition of all the butterflies that go beyond the boundaries of the estuary make Imperial Beach the perfect location for summer living. Living here means becoming part of the Tijuana River Sloughs and the wildlife that depends on it.

Full disclosure, the only thing I know about most birds is they are handsome and always captivate me. As an amateur photographer, I am finding out birds are very difficult to catch on film, along with surfers and insects.

Going on the WiLDCOAST bilingual trails, I am learning the specifics of the wild and plant life that balance this small portion of the planet. So, I gave myself a project. Photograph the birds coming through my back yard and identify them. Here are the results so far.

Let me know if I am correct, and educate me on ones that are not.

This year there is many scrub jays nesting nearby. Most of what I see appears to be young birds, still with some of thier down.

Families of hooded orioles are nesting in the neighborhood.

Every year I can depend on a flock of yellow headed parrots. They love the palm tree and make a tremendous amount of noise. Being able to see them flying around in the wild is special.

Pink lady butterflies out and laying eggs.

Hummingbirds live right here in our trees. I have narrowed this daily pair to Allen's Humingbirds.

First dragonfly of the year.

This breed is year round, six days a week and about 12 hours a day, except Sunday.

Photo credits/Albert Fulcher

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Golden Hill Park

2010-07-12T09:38:00.000-07:00

Balboa Park is the home to many attractions for everyone. A world-class zoo, museums, festivals, art—something for everyone.

Part of Balboa Park, positioned above the park’s golf course is Golden Hill Park. A striking park, it is a close, outdoor recreational site for all ages. Plenty of open space and nearby trails give this park a zest of its own. Filled with people, the park provides something for everyone. A group of 20 arrived for a two-hour tour.

Our guide, Outdoor School Instructor JP Ruiz, REI, said it is a leisurely walk, with many things to see in this hilltop park. Ruiz is an outstanding guide who interacts well with people of all ages. He immediately began telling the story of the park and the many ways to take pleasure in it.

This skillfully manicured hilltop is home to century old fig trees, lined from largest to smallest. Largest of them all, protected by a fence, is no longer climbable, due to its age. Fig trees spread their roots deep and long and sprout up another tree. Connected together by roots, this line of fig trees is one in the same, only in different ages of growth. Underneath the open trees is a perfect place for a picnic or an afternoon nap.

NEARLY A CENTURY OLD: Oldest fig trees in the park are estimated to be about 100 years old, give or take a few years.

At this height, there is an awesome view of downtown through the trees, and the small valley. Many others were in the park with us, enjoying their evening. Young men played soccer with the enthusiasm of World Cup fever. People, walked, used strollers and played with their dogs. Kids climbed trees. One father was teaching his children the proper way to climb a palm tree. Serious runners were tearing through the park at Olympic marathon speed. Homeless took comfort in the serenity of this park also.

WORLD CUP FEVER: Soccor is the sport of the day.

Graffiti is a problem, with no respect to the age of the trees or the park. A sadistic act creates a continuous battle to keep the park clean of this selfless art.

Trees in the park contrast from type to age. One extremely old oak tree caught the attention of everyone. Bark was thick, rough and protruding, looking more like eroded rock.

A century plant blooming stood 15 feet. Ruiz told us of how the Native Americans used the needle of the sharp leaves as thread. Leaves are very fibrous and stay attached when you break off the needle. An instant needle and thread in an emergency. (Great survival information.)

As we walked around the parameter of the park, a young hawk swept over the valley and rested in one of the nearby trees. It sat there, looking over the valley for a bit, then flew away.

RAPTOR: This hawk overlooks the valley in search for prey.

A hand built brick water fountain is the oldest building structure in Balboa Park. It is not operational, but the craftmanship is priceless. A miniature amphitheater by day, it shelters small groups of homeless when the sun goes down.

Heading into the valley, the brush was thick. Wildlife in this small canyon is plentiful and the trails are satisfying. Provided trash bags came in handy, especially through the trail area. Trash bags should be on every hiker’s list of supplies. Every bag filled makes our parks cleaner and safer.

After climbing up, we stopped at the Golden Hill Community Garden. It is not big, but the growth occurring in this small fenced-in yard in surprising. Divided into small plots, each their own, varieties of plants were growing healthy and sturdy. As individual as the people who care for them, each plot was distinct and special. My favorite was Bob’s tomato boat. Built with sticks twine and cloth it resembled an old wooden schooner-a creative tomato cage.

BOB'S TOMATO BOAT: An creative alternative to tomato cages.

Flowers planted purposely to attract butterflies, gave eggs a safer place to mature. Flowers, vegetables and herbs looked hale and hearty and made everyone hungry. It was time to call it an evening.

REI sponsored hikes are perfect for everyone. Education of our local environmental paradises, no matter how large or small is their goal. Kudos to REI and WiLDCOAST for sponsoring these educating and free outdoor explorations in our neighborhoods.

ALWAYS AN EDUCATOR: JP Ruiz speaks to the children about vegetables that grow easily in this region.

OLD OAK: This oak tree caught every one's attention with its thick protruding bark.

OLD SCHOOL: This man demonstrates to his children the correct way to climb a palm tree.

GRAFFITI: A continuous problem for the park. Many hours and dollars are spent trying to keep the park clean.

SMALL BUT PRODUCTIVE: Golden Hill Community Garden is filled with small plots producing an array of flowers and vegetables.

Photo Credits: Albert Fulcher

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Apathy

2010-07-11T09:30:00.000-07:00

Apathy-By Albert H. Fulcher

Finney Overlook-Otay Valley Regional Park

2010-07-10T19:43:00.000-07:00

Mountains, desert and the coast. Outdoor enthusiast and tourist flock to these areas to acquire a “fix” from Mother Nature. A draw to nature is personal. People select outdoor places for hiking, cycling, fishing or a purely to be in its midst. In the charisma of nature, any activity can be tranquil.

Overlooked is 13 miles of Otay Valley Regional Park river bottom vegetation and wildlife wrapped between South Bay’s I-5 and I-805, Main Street and Palm Avenue.

Finney Overlook was a perfect spot for WiLDCOAST and REI’s second bilingual nature trail hike. EXA FM 97.1 joined in support. This high point advantage has beautiful views from every direction.

HISTORICAL FINNEY OVERLOOK: Known for pilot John J. Montgomery. Profiling the natural shape of a bird’s wing, he piloted the first controlled wing flight by a glider in 1883.

REI Community Relations Administrator Myrian Coronel organizes REI’s summer educational hikes. Our guides for the day where JP Ruiz, Outdoor School Instructor, REI and Otay River Conservation Program Manager Katie Westfall, WiLDCOAST.

RULES OF THE TRAIL: Katie Westfall and JP Ruiz give a brief history of the park and the important rules to follow on the trails.

Together, the energy and devotion for what they do is infectious and is a perfect atmosphere for listening and learning.

Our group was exceptionally large for this hike. San Ysidro’s Girl Scout Group 5912 showed up in force. We went in two groups, leaving the younger scouts with Group Leader Irene Barajas.

Going from the viewpoint to the valley is a steep descend, but manageable enough for most people.

First, looking at the valley from above gives a great perspective of where you are when you reach the trails.Trails are wide and comfortable. During our hike, we saw several cross-terrain bicyclists training.

With such a large group, most of the animals you could only hear scurrying through the brush, but the birds fly around as if we were not there. Hikers of all ages learned many things about plant life in the area.

PJ is a storyteller, always having a piece of history to share about the area. Both of them, in their own style, taught us a variety of things about the plant life and history of this valley. First lesson-how to spot poison oak. PJ’s rule is “leaves of three, let it be” and for good cause. This valley is flourishing with Pacific Poison oak, and its shades of green and red are beautiful.

POISON OAK: Beautiful to look at, a rash decision to touch.

Westfall is at ease in this space that I have named “Katie’s Valley." I laughed when she pointed and said, “Here is the mighty Otay River.”

PERSONAL NOTE: Where I come from, we call it a creek.

Another plant overflowing in the valley is the Castor Bean plant. Invasive, native of tropical Africa, this plant has been cultivated for years for the oil in its leaves (castor oil).

There is enough castor bean in the Tijuana Sloughs to harvest simple biological weapons. It is unknown what the effects of a wildfire would do with this amount of castor bean plants burning its toxicity in the air. Buying castor bean seeds is popular as it makes a desirable ornamental plant in urban landscaping.

TOXIC CASTOR BEAN CAN KILL. Containing the protein ricin, when inhaled, injected or ingested is deadly. Forms of ricin have been tested and made into a chemical/biological warfare agent. Ricin manufacturing is easier than cocaine.

Next, we learned about jimson weed, with other names like datura or moonflower. Today it grows in any warm, moderate region in the world. It has trumpeted fragrant flowers. Ingestion of this plan can be fatal as all parts of the plant contain dangerous levels of poison.

A HALLUCINOGENIC: Jimson weed is used recreationally . Effects from interaction to this poison, comparable to the deadliness of huffing.

We learned about deer grass. Kumeyaay lived this river for many years. Commonly used in basket and other weaving was deer grass.Lemonadeberry, commonly used for drink and flavor are one of the edible plants in the region.

NATIVE HISTORY: Westfall tells how the many uses of lemonadeberry and it s connection to the Kumeyaay of the region.

Anise abounds throughout the valley. Native to Egypt and the Mediterranean it is now cultivated all over the world, for its fruit, aniseed.

ANISE: Tasting like licorice, anise is used for flavor, in liquor and medicine.

Before coming to an end to head up to the viewpoint, we hit this wall of eucalyptus trees. It was apparent that this place has become the perfect forest setting for paint ball. Protection boards nailed to many trees gave it the look of an outdoor shooting range. Katie described the danger to the local wildlife with paintball pellets all around the grounds. There was a distinct line for as long as their roots stretched, where nothing else but the eucalyptus can survive.

I finished the hike exhilarated and enlightened. I look forward to hitting these trails on my own. Perhaps I can catch a glimpse of an American Badger. Possibilities are endless in an ecosystem made up 14 diverse habitats.

IT GROWS AND GROWS: Westfall said that this patch of ice plant started small and is noticeably larger every time she comes back to the area.

DEER GRASS: Commonly used among the Kumeyaay tribes inhabiting this area for weaving of baskets, jewelry and clothing.

Otay River

Photo Credits/Albert Fulcher

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WiLDCOAST Youth Restoration Project

2010-07-08T09:56:00.000-07:00

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WiLDCOAST Youth Restoration Project, Otay Valley Regional Park

2010-07-07T20:24:00.000-07:00

ALL AGES WELCOMED: Girl Scout Group member Andrea, 7, comes with her mother and sister to help keep the young plants in the project alive.

Just a little bit of water. Their survival depends on it.

On a three-acre plot, behind the Ranger Station of the Otay Valley Regional Park, more than 200 indigenous plants, at several stages of growth need continuous care.

Between South Bay’s Palm Ave and Main St. on Beyer Blvd., this hidden entrance veils access to the beauty of what lies ahead—8,869 acres of river valley habitation. A direct route to Fenton Pond, this restored plot is growing into an educational showcase of the river’s natural landscape. To become this, it needs weekly watering by hand to thrive until the rainy season.

Fenton Pond in itself is a beautiful walk, with access to the pond for fishing and sightseeing. Sounds and sights are a direct draw to the pond. Birds are everywhere. Ducks floating around in the pond, hawks heading for the brush and sterns for the water as they dive for prey. Butterflies and dragonflies are just beginning to appear. Small natural coves are a perfect to sit quietly and observe.

HIDDEN OASIS: Fenton Pond hides behind the ranger station just beyond the Youth Restoration site.

Otay River Conservation Program Manager Katie Westfall, with the help of youth in the local community, developed and maintains WiLDCOAST’s Youth Restoration site. Together, Park Rangers, Girl Scouts, Finney Elementary, interns and community members removed invasive plant life and planted native species.

Westfall said WiLDCOAST’s goal, and her job, in this program is to educate and build community support for restoration and preservation of the Otay Valley.

WATERING MADE FUN: Otay Valley Program Manager Katie Westfall works as hard as she educates.

Programs of this type are what our protected parks need most. Educating the next generation on how to respect, care and preserve what little open space that is left is the only way to secure its future. With enough community support, this program, this 3-acre is only a threshold to restoring the valley’s natural coastal sage scrub habitat.

Our local ecosystems are overrun and many places conquered by invasive plants. Those beautiful daisies and eucalyptus trees you see are just two species that propagate by releasing toxic chemical from roots. No other plant life can survive within its boundaries with an internal system ensuring its own survival. Ice plants, used widely in housing and development projects spread throughout. It takes up precious space.

Just about any plant or flower seen in a neighbor’s yard grows from the valley to the South Bay National Wildlife Refuge. As beautiful as some of these plants are, they are still a hazard to the valley and wildlife.

A SAGE SAGA: White sage has a long history in this region. Kumeyaay lived this land and white sage is used in spiritual and healing rituals.
Group Leader Irene Barajas, Girl Scout Group 5912 said that they got involved in this program by accident. Being the first and only Girl Scouts in San Ysidro, they call themselves a group. This Girl Scout group has 50 girls, kindergarten to high school age.

Barajas said that with her group so large, transportation is a real problem in getting the girls out on field trips. Group 5912 joined WiLDCOAST for one of their local community trash removal events.

“I didn’t even know that this was here,” she said. “This is exactly the type of place and event that I was looking for the girls.”

Meeting Westfall, her group quickly became a part of the Youth Restoration program. Barajas said it was like coming to Disney for all of them.

“They really enjoy this project and are very enthused,” said Barajas. “We have all learned so much. I didn’t believe that I could get my girls this much experience and education in the outdoors.”

HANDS ON TRAINING: Girl Scout Group Leader Irene Barajas teaches the fundamentals of weeding invasive plants.

WiLDCOAST needs volunteers to continue this program. Both young and old. Watering of these 3 acres is every Friday. Normally around 9 a.m., come out and spend the morning weeding, watering and learning.

A couple of hours take care of the task with help from Park Ranger John Barone. Listening to him and Westfall you will start to learn about each of the plants, the place they hold in this environment, and many times a story if a plants rich history.

IT'S YOUR PARK: Park Ranger John Barone works with volunteers, teaching them along the way.

Contact WiLDCOAST to volunteer for this continuing program.

Katie Westfall (619) 423-8665 ext. 214

Otay Valley Regional Park

Photo Credits/Albert Fulcher

Border Field State Park

2010-07-07T19:38:00.000-07:00

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Exploring Border Field State Park with REI and WiLDCOAST

2010-07-06T10:12:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, June 22, 2010.

Hiking the trails with WiLDCOAST. I went with one objective—not to have one.

Driving slowly down Monument Rd. to the entrance Border Field State Park, young rabbits and squirrels scampered and forth. Birds, butterflies and dragonflies fluttered and buzzed around the car. It had been a long time since I had been to Border Field State Park, and it was nice to be back.

Living in Imperial Beach, I consider the Tijuana River National Estuary my back yard. Whether from the road, the beach or walking in the estuary, I see a breathtaking picture of our coastline and the wildlife that depends on it.

Many days the estuary visits me in my own back yard. Barely a day goes by, especially this time of year that I do not see a bird that I do not recognize. I am not a bird expert, or even apprentice for that matter, but it is amazing the many different species I see go through this neck of the sloughs.

BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR A HIKE: More than 20 people showed up for this late afternoon hike through Borderfield State Park.

A diverse crowd of people of 20, of all ages and different reason, gathered for the walk. WiLDCOAST and a California State Parks representative that works at the Tijuana River Estuary Visitor Center joined our REI guide, JP. These people had an objective, to educate us about the park, its benefits to the community and the struggles of keeping this pristine land intact.

Armed only with my camera, ears and eyes, the hike began. This area is beautiful, and despite the large group walking and talking through the trails, life was all around us. This region is unique. There are open spaces, mesas and hills leading up to the border and down to the sand dunes and beaches.

Flowers are still blooming, but much of the early spring flower patches have dried up. First lesson learned that day was a simple way to identify what is indigenous or invasive plant life. During the dry season, dry plants and a fire hazard are greater part, invasive plants. Many of them crowd out the indigenous plants that the wildlife and delicate ecosystem depend on for continued growth and survival.

TWO INVASIVES IN ONE: These invasive sunflowers find a spot in one of the many tires scattered along the water flow area.

As the trail thins out and the brush thickens, there is a symphony of sounds from the thickets, trees and skies. Undoubtedly, you are in the wild. While walking you see animal trails and tracks leading into the heavy brush. This time of year, there are many young animals, seemingly unaware of the dangers that surround them. Moving around speedily, doing what they do, I was mesmerized.

A jutted rock formation caught my attention. Its unique shape led me to think that erosion created this beautifully carved rock. In our crowd, a professor of geology, involved educating children, was looking at local resources for outings. She said there was a story in this formation, seismically faulted upward eons ago. It is brief timeline of the evolutional history of the area. Old roots of trees, mineralized through the ages—an ancient fossilized forest.

AN OLD FOREST: A close up look at layers of soils and root systems of an ancient forest.

With young children along, we stopped and looked at stinkbugs and slug trails (we think). Kids love bugs, there is no doubt about it. They made great travel companions, creating a childlike adventure to the hike that was highly contagious.

Engulfed in my own little world of observation, walking around a bend, I saw it. I was left with my jaw hanging down, stunned.

It was my first close look. Stretched out in front of me stood the Great Wall of Mexico.

GREAT WALL OF MEXICO: Massive steel structured wall and parallel fences strip through the sensitive areas of the Tijuana River National Estuary.

I oppose construction of this magnitude in this sensitive area. Federal government waiving all environmental laws from the land acquisition, I also knew inside what it would do to this environment. Seeing it is atrocious. There had to be a better way.

Now instead of a fence, we have a wall between two fences. Construction has left this area barren paving the way for erosion during the rainy season to pollute the estuary more.

Pollution is not breaking news in the Tijuana River. Environmentalist, governments and communities deal with this continuously. Great progress already found comprehensive ways of reducing the amount of pollution this river spreads to the ocean every year. With still a long way to go, why take three-steps back?

Destroyed are acres of precious habitat, polluting the river more in the process.

BOOMERS FOR TRASH: Boomers have been set up to collect smaller pieces of trash that flow through this runout area during the rainy season.

Having such an age difference in this group, we were slow moving. Border Patrol wanted us leaving the park by 7 p.m. Access to Monument Park was only accessible through the beach, the road still flooded out. We did not get to the beach, but I plan on going back to that area and see what I can find there.

As we left the park, the moon was setting with the sun following closely. Like a curtain recall a hawk flew above us, a rabbit jumped in and out of the trail and as we got close to the gate, a full-grown coyote ran across the path in front of us so quickly it was startling.

It was a beautiful evening for a walk. It is my goal to see as much of San Diego County’s national refuges and parks as much as I can this summer.

Photo Credits: Albert Fulcher

These educational hikes sponsored by REI, a consumer cooperative donating millions supporting conservation efforts and education. REI promotes healthy, fun, safe activities outdoors in the community. REI is sponsoring free educational hikes to local state parks every Tuesday this summer.

WiLDCOAST joined REI for the parks and refuges close to the shorelines and riverbeds for its expert knowledge of these ecological treasures.

Sign up for REI’s free Tuesday evening getaways. They last about two hours, and you are sure to learn something while you get some fresh air and exercise.

There is no better way to show your support of protecting our local land treasures, than to go out and visit them. If the community does not use them, we lose them.

Directions to Border Field State Park

Welcome! ¡Bienvenidos!

2010-07-01T14:00:00.000-07:00

No place like home: A Snowy Egret makes itself at home in the lush J Street Marsh, Chula Vista, CA.

Photo credit: Albert Fulcher

Surf through San Diego County’s most precious natural resources as I tag along with WiLDCOAST. Our coastlands, rivers, estuaries and parks are an adventure waiting in your own back yard. Looking forward we will meet the WiLDCOAST team, learn environmental issues of today and see the local environmentally protected paradises in our neighborhoods.
Get involved.
Call WiLDCOAST and become a volunteer.
Remember, the best way to preserve our protected parks, is to get out and enjoy them.