Discovering the World of Shorebirds: Summer of Outreach at Malibu Lagoon State Beach

This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to spend my Saturdays in July and August at Malibu Lagoon State Beach, where I focused on outreach for the Western Snowy Plover and California Least Tern. These two species of shorebirds, protected due to their vulnerable populations, quickly became the stars of my weekends. Alongside a group of dedicated Summer Fellows, we shared important conservation information and deepened our understanding of the rich natural ecosystems along Southern California's coast.

Malibu Lagoon State Beach, where Malibu Creek meets the Pacific Ocean, offers a perfect backdrop for connecting people with the importance of shorebird conservation. The lagoon is part of the Malibu Creek Watershed, which stretches from the mountains to the ocean, encompassing diverse ecosystems like freshwater marshes, coastal scrub, and sandy beaches. In contrast, the Ballona Creek Watershed—which many of our Summer Fellows are more familiar with—is much more urbanized. It drains the city of Culver City and parts of West Los Angeles, with much of the historic wetlands that once existed there being replaced by concrete and city infrastructure. For many of the Summer Fellows who assisted in this outreach, working at Malibu Lagoon was their first real exposure to an active, thriving estuarine ecosystem. By comparing the more preserved Malibu Creek Watershed to the highly urbanized Ballona Creek Watershed, we were able to broaden our understanding of how human activity influences water flow, wildlife habitats, and conservation efforts.

Working at Malibu Lagoon for outreach on the Western Snowy Plover and California Least Tern broadened our perspectives on Southern California’s bird populations. The world of shorebirds may seem small at first, but this summer taught us that it is part of a much larger and significant ecological puzzle. By focusing on the importance of the Western Snowy Plover and California Least Tern, we can draw attention to the broader conversation about habitat preservation, restoration, and the role of community involvement in conservation efforts.

Nature Nexus Institute would like to thank California State Parks for being a collaborator in this outreach effort. With their help, we were able to reach approximately 675 members of the public throughout the summer to spread information on the importance of Malibu Lagoon for birds and the need to share the beach. We would also like to thank the Los Angeles Audubon Society and their volunteers, who work tirelessly to protect the Western Snowy Plovers and California Least Tern. Their expert knowledge of these small, vulnerable birds played a critical role in our outreach efforts. From teaching us how to identify nests on the beach to explaining the importance of protecting these species, they opened our eyes to the complex world of shorebird conservation. These collaborations have been essential in advancing our outreach efforts and raising awareness about the vital conservation work needed to protect Malibu Lagoon and its wildlife.

Funding for this effort is provided by a USFWS Section 6 grant as well as the Disney Conservation Fund.