San Diego Rivermouth Wetland Restoration

The San Diego Rivermouth Wetland Restoration project worked to address the presence of many non-native plants, as well as a substantial amount of trash and animal waste, in a salt marsh and dune area at the mouth of the San Diego River. Moreover, several unnecessary paths existing throughout the site as a result of overuse, further impacted the area and resolution of this issue was a component of the project. Ultimately, 33 truckloads of invasive, non-native plants were removed from the site, seven truckloads of trash were removed, and 2,500 native plants were planted in the salt marsh, upland areas, and a demonstration garden. Sensitive marsh area was protected by adding fencing and routing visitors to designated paths. The project installed interpretive signage: a series of signs included artist renderings of wetland habitat, wetland habitat definition, description, and importance, as well as threats to the sensitive area. This project was particularly noteworthy in its ability to obtain a large and diverse number of volunteers and also used a unique educational theme, entitled “wetland avengers”, sending children into the project area on a “mission possible” to save wetland habitat.