By Kim Kolpin, Executive Director

The environmental slogan “Think globally, act locally” is quickly becoming a call to action in response to the federal administrations’ work negatively impacting conservation, climate change initiatives and our environment, the damaging consequences of which will be felt for decades.  Many have asked me directly how this impacts Bolsa Chica. As a state owned and protected Ecological Reserve, Bolsa Chica has a level of safety in that it is not federal lands and waters which are now in jeopardy of losing their protections.  However, as are all things in nature, Bolsa Chica is connected.

CDFW and Federal Funding

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife manages the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (BCER).  Staff salary is dependent on federal funding via a grant from the Pittman- Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (funded through firearm and ammo sales).  Our Reserve Manager and Field Tech have 80% of their salaries funded, and their assistant has 100% of his salary funded through this grant.  I cannot overstate how critical these people are to the wellbeing of the sensitive habitats at Bolsa Chica and the continued safe public access at the Reserve.  We work very closely with the CDFW staff, and the loss of the staff at BCER would be unfathomable.  For example, the impacts to BCLT directly, we would not be able to continue with much of our habitat restoration projects and sustainability efforts if CDFW staff were pulled from the site (which thus would impact our fundraising ability).  It would mean that we might need to stop our community volunteer days which draw thousands of people every year, and we might not be able to continue with our graduate level scientific research program which we run in collaboration with CDFW.  Whereas all is in place now, the future is uncertain.

Threats to Wildlife at Bolsa Chica

With 24 species at Bolsa Chica listed as Endangered, Threatened, and Species of Special Concern, repealing protections on endangered species will be devastating, in addition the federal administration’s goal of repealing protections of the Migratory Bird Act will affect the entire Pacific Flyway, of which Bolsa Chica is a critical component.  Bolsa Chica has many agency partners, including a Steering Committee which oversees the protections, restoration, and welfare of the wetlands.  Deep cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service may mean that these important partners are no longer voices for Bolsa Chica.  We owe much of the current protection of Bolsa Chica and our coastal environment to the California Coastal Act, which is now in the crosshairs of the federal administration.  Climate change and sea-level rise are significant threats to the fragile habitats at Bolsa Chica, and whereas California is still firmly working on measures to adjust to and diminish these threats, federal policy will no longer be supportive.

Women Leaders in CA Conservation and Environmental Movement

As for the removal of DEI efforts, BCLT is in reverence and gratitude for all of the women who have been leaders in California’s conservation and environmental movement, and the legions of women who worked so hard beside and behind them to protect this state’s incredible biodiversity.  It began 120 years ago as women organized and became the driving force for the protection of California’s old growth forest.  The ripple effects of their vision and legacy still move through generations today.  More than 40 years ago women of the Amigos de Bolsa Chica began the fight to save Bolsa Chica.  In 1992 Flossie Horgan co-founded the Bolsa Chica Land Trust, with many amazing women at her side, stood up to developers and rallied this community in such a powerful way that resulted in landmark rulings which protected Bolsa Chica and other wetlands throughout the state.  Today, our staff is 100% women who work with our amazing CDFW Reserve Manager, Melissa Borde, and State Lands Commission Program Manager Wendy Hall.  The women of California’s conservation movement have stood up to money and politics for over 120 years, and the redwoods and wetlands have born witness.  We will continue to stand strong for the environment, with our legacy its sword and shield.

Bolsa Chica is open to all, and to all of you we ask for your support throughout the coming months to help us continue on with our work to protect and restore, to educate and reach out.  Your membership means the world to us.