Primary Event
Sponsors of 
Wetland Avengers I

Other Supporters:

Mural Magic

Ocean Beach Community
Development Corporation

Portosan

Ducks Unlimited

Earth Works

Primrose Project

Friends of Famosa Slough

San Diego Ranger Lori

San Diego Ranger Henry

San Diego Ranger Zana

Bill Moore
Promotional Products

I Love a Clean San Diego

San Diego Backed

Ballast Point Brewery

La Jolla Photo & Imaging

San Diego Landfill Systems

Wetland Avengers II!

Thank you avenger volunteers, sponsors and supporters!  On May 4, 2002 over 600 volunteers participated in the second "Wetland Avengers" event hosted by Aquatic Adventures and Project Pacific.

The event was sponsored in part by the City of San Diego, Park and Recreation Department with funding provided by Council Member Byron Wear, District Two.  

Volunteers (the "Avengers") helped restore an important salt marsh and sand dune area just east of Dog Beach in Ocean Beach, San Diego while learning about the importance of the wetland.  Avengers from throughout San Diego gained AWARENESS about this valuable ecosystem and then transferred it immediately into ACTION.

WHAT: Wetland Restoration and Education!

• "Wetland Avengers" were on a mission possible to help save the wetland habitat!
• The event included individuals, families, and youth from throughout the San Diego community.
• Avengers learned to identify native & invasive plants, wetland birds, & other salt marsh inhabitants.
• Avengers then removed the invasive plants, unnecessary paths, and trash.

• The event included games, raffles, mural painting, and music, too!
• Council member Byron Wear (below, left) attended the event and unveiled two new interpretive signs with the  help of Park and Rec's Ranger Henry!
• Also in attendance was Assembly member Howard Wayne (below, middle) andCouncil member Scott Peters (below, right).


WHY: Wetlands are a valuable ecosystem that provide numerous benefits:

• Over 90% of these extremely sensitive habitats in CA have been destroyed!
• Marine organisms live in them, birds feed off of their rich habitat, and humans enjoy them as a public resource. 
• They also act as a home for several endangered species, including the Clapper Rail & the Least Tern 
• Wetlands provide a sheltered habitat and is used as a breeding ground for many marine organisms.
• They aid in "cleaning" the waterway by transforming pollutants into nutrients for plants.
• Wetlands absorb large quantities of water & protect surrounding areas from flooding & erosion. 
• Invasive plants are a tremendous threat to this habitat. They out-compete native plants and the wetland is negatively impacted, resulting in habitat loss & an unhealthy ecosystem. 

Background: Wetland Avengers I

Close to 600 volunteers participated in the first "Wetland Avengers" on Saturday, September 8, 2001 to kick off the annual Hands On San Diego week-long series of events.  "Wetland Avengers I" proved to be a fun and exciting community event providing hands-on education along with vital wetland restoration and clean-up.  Participants from throughout San Diego gained AWARENESS and then took ACTION to restore and clean up a salt marsh area in Ocean Beach, just east of Dog Beach. 

“Wetland Avengers I” was a collaborative effort by Aquatic Adventures and Project Pacific, in partnership with the Volunteer Center of San Diego, and sponsored by SDG&E and Home Depot.   Other supporters included San Diego Parks and Recreation, Ocean Beach Community Development Corporation, Dog Beach Dog Wash, Earth Works, I Love a Clean San Diego, San Diego Backed, Ocean Beach Town Council, Ducks Unlimited, and San Diego Bright Families.

Councilmember Byron Wear (below, left) and Councilmember Scott Peters (below, right) both attended the event and demonstrated their support for the efforts of Aquatic Adventures and Project Pacific.

Almost 600 volunteers (the "Avengers") from throughout San Diego County were on a "mission possible" to save the wetland habitat.  After registering, participants moved on to a dress-up table where they accessorized with camouflage clothing and cammy paint for their faces.  Youths created their own "wetland wanted" posters at activity booths and won raffle tickets in bird bingo.  The day’s events included mural painting, a live D.J., and booths offering fun and educational ways for everyone to help create a better San Diego.   Each participant received a T-shirt, water bottle, lunch and beverages.

Local biologists (the "Sergeants") lead every "Avenger" on educational and interactive tours of this sensitive and threatened habitat.  "Avengers" then took their new awareness and transferred it into immediate ACTION!  Each "Avenger" worked with a "Squad Leader" to remove non-native invasive species, trash and unnecessary paths.

Sponsors such as Home Depot and SDG&E not only provided financial support, but their employees and their families volunteered and participated at the event.

WHY WETLAND AVENGERS?

The Mission

A salt marsh is an intertidal wetland found in protected coastal areas. At one time, salt marshes were present along a majority of the southern California coastline. Today over 90% of all wetlands have been destroyed. These are extremely sensitive habitats that provide a tremendous benefit. Marine organisms use the wetlands as a home (such as endangered species like the Clapper Rail and the Least Tern), birds feed off of their rich habitat, and humans enjoy them as a public resource. They provide a sheltered habitat, which is used as a breeding and nursery ground for many marine organisms, including fish and invertebrates. Wetlands aid in “cleaning” the waterway by transforming pollutants into nutrients for plants. In addition, they absorb large quantities of water and protect surrounding areas from flooding and erosion.

The three primary issues creating a serious threat to this delicate ecosystem are: non-native invasive plants, overuse, and pollutants & animal waste.

•    Non-natives out-compete native plants and negatively impact the wetland. This translates into loss of habitat for endangered species and an unhealthy ecosystem.

•    Overuse includes filling for development as well as trails unintentionally created throughout these sensitive habitats. Too many trails and traffic creates a “freeway” environment. Trails break up native plant aggregations. Both make a less desirable home for endangered species.

•    Pollution & animal waste threaten not only the salt marsh habitat, but also the people who enjoy the area for recreational use. The Dog Beach salt marsh is an excellent example. Storm drain outfalls bring pollutants from street runoff & individuals not aware of the damage they are causing, do not clean up after their pets. In a recent assessment, the Regional Water Quality Control Board has found significant levels of bacteria.

Awareness into Action

Wetland Avengers educates the community about the value of this resource and creates a venue in which awareness is directed towards immediate action. Participants work on restoration and clean-up of the area. Volunteers also learn to identify native and non-native plants, wetland birds, and other salt marsh inhabitants.

Wetland Avengers embark on a “Mission Possible” to restore and clean-up this habitat. Invasive plants, trash & animal waste are removed. Excessive trails are taken away while others become more accessible. Avengers dress in camouflage to symbolize that even in the restoration process, we can enjoy the area without rendering a negative impact. The Wetland Avenger theme also provides an exciting learning environment for the many participants who pass on their new knowledge to others.

Ultimately, it is the community’s responsibility to create a better San Diego!

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