HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA —- Amigos de Bolsa Chica provide monthly free tours of the Wetlands at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach. Amigos de Bolsa Chica- Stewards of Orange County's protected and valued open spaces aren't limited to one group or organization. Amigos de Bolsa Chica, however, is one of the clubs dedicated to educating the public about the Bolsa Chica wetlands in Huntington Beach. Amigos de Bolsa Chica (Friends of the Small Pocket, referring to the pocket of land or of land sitting on a plateau above the ocean) are advocates working to preserve, restore, and maintain one of the remaining open space ecologically-sensitive flyways for endangered birds along the West Coast of the United States.As one of the oldest, successful environmental preservation organizations in California, its corps of dedicated volunteers al share a passion for this natural resource in Huntington Beach.

Formed in 1976 to protect the Bolsa Chica wetland which was slated for development to include a marina, the non-profit organization filed a lawsuit to protect the property and their success in 1989 achieved major reductions in development plans. One success among many for the wetland has been the tidal inlet restoration. Today, they Amigos de Bolsa Chica organization doesn't rest. It tirelessly works to educate the public about the need for wetlands. One of its most popular programs is the monthly guided tour around the wetlands loop trail.

Held the first Saturday of each month, this docent-led tour includes the Bolsa Chica Story. On the first Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., our docents gather at the south lot of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, across the street from the main entrance to Bolsa Chica State Beach. Tours are stationed on the footbridge, a truly magnificent entrance to the restored Bolsa Chica wetlands. Tours begin every 15 minutes and five areas of interest are included in the presentation: history, birds, endangered species, ecology and restoration. This is a free tour on a first come, first served basis. This is a wonderful opportunity for vacationers, students, small groups and local citizens to visit our valuable resource.

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