Photoby Glenn Vargas
The Huntington State Beach Least Tern Preserve now welcomes about 350 breeding pairs of birds each year. This is approximately 8% of the world's population. Continued department efforts have helped this species during their critical breeding season, at a time when all those aforementioned throngs enjoy the beaches. In the early '70s this Preserve had 20 breeding pairs in 1.7 acres, and now has expanded to 8.6 acres, with plans for more. During the season, predator management becomes critical for success. One recent year, DPR staff live-trapped 40 raptors and controlled 50 crows in and near the Preserve.
Crystal Cove State Park contains 2800 acres of open space with a large backcountry connecting to County and private lands, all dedicated under a Natural Communities Conservation Program. We continue weed-fighting and restoration efforts to help counter a long history of (over) grazing, agriculture, horse stabling and trail riding. To date, we have restored over 175 acres of coastal sage scrub and grasslands, have an active burn program, and continue to shrink a once flourishing population of exotic artichoke thistle. The 1200 acres Underwater Park and Preserve contains rich subtidal acreage and a fascinating complex of rocky intertidal tide pools. Both of these areas receive continuing monitoring to assess man's impact, while the tide pools remain our favorite location for group interpretive talks.
The popular San Onofre State Beach contains over 5 miles of prime coastline and over 2000 inland acres. The world famous Trestles surfing beach is backed by the Trestles Wetland Natural Preserve, which contains several rare species including the tidewater goby, arroyo toad, southern population of steelhead trout, and several rare birds. A complex of vernal pools stand protected overlooking the ocean above the popular Surf Beach. An endangered fairy shrimp inhabits many of the pools, and associated rare plants are found in the area. Inland acres are receiving a cooperative weed fighting effort that includes the City of San Clemente, Base Camp Pendleton, and private property interests.
The 3 miles of bluffs south of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station are rich in coastal sage habitat and have been studied intensively since the last El Nino where 2.5x normal rainfall reinitiated a number of landslides. As you might imagine, this activity caused a great deal of interest with the utilities that run through the park, the railroad, as well as CalTrans. Along this stretch, about 88% of the coastline is characterized by landslide activity, yet you probably will not see a pack of immigrants walking north on the beach, led by a coyote, as Dick Troy saw many years ago (see article this issue).
Combine the 11.3 million visitors we see each year with this rich assemblage of resources, and an active resource challenge it becomes- a little more than just surf and sand.