Tuesday October 1, 2024
KPBS —
More than 80 acres of wetlands and salt marsh have been restored at the San Dieguito Lagoon.
Much of the area, which sits between Del Mar and Solana Beach near Interstate 5, had been used for agriculture.
Restoring the wetlands involved removing enough soil to fill 333 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Invasive plants were also removed and replaced with native ones. The project restored habitat for several endangered bird species.
“What was here before was rows and rows of always — it seemed to be — dried out tomato plants,” said Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner. “To see it go from that to this, is a stunning transformation.”
The tomato plants have been replaced by a marsh, where cranes wade in the water and other birds dive for fish. Officials said birdwatchers have already spotted coastal California gnatcatchers and light-footed Ridgway’s rails, two species with dwindling populations.