Happily wet feet

Lauren Vane

A wetlands preserve -- home to nearly 30 species of birds, a

population of reptiles and amphibians, a half dozen species of

mammals and a variety of plants -- is a giant backyard for the city,

yet few Huntington Beach children get the opportunity to explore the

Bolsa Chica wetlands.

Members of the Bolsa Chica Land Trust hope that will change as

they bring the Miracles of the Marsh program to area schools,

introducing students to this local treasure.

“Kids get excited; you feel you’re doing something,” said tour

coordinator Linda Wolfe.

In a change from a regular Tuesday morning in the classroom, a

trail of students from Peterson Elementary School followed a docent

and made their way to the Bolsa Chica lower mesa. As the group trod

deeper into the ecosystem, the rush of Pacific Coast Highway faded

away and the students were surrounded by nature. Armed with

binoculars to scout out plant and animal life, they were ready to

learn.

From area history to water cleanliness, the docents provide an

interactive lesson on the environment that sticks with the students

long after they leave, Wolfe said.

Carol Koelle, a docent who specializes in water quality, gave the

students a demonstration of how trash gets into the water and

pollutes the wetlands. She explained to the students that, aside from

trash, no one should ever leave anything in or remove anything from

the Bolsa Chica.

Third-grade teacher Carol Krogstad said her students studied the

wetlands’ ecosystem for months in preparation of their visit to Bolsa

Chica.

“They love it,” Krogstad said.

To experience a classroom lesson come to life enhances the

students’ grasp on the material, Krogstad said.

“It’s much more meaningful,” she said. “It also produces a great

writing experience for them.”

The Land Trust provides a slide show for the students beforehand,

so they can identify plants and wildlife during their visit, said

executive director Marc Stirdivant.

“They have a wonderful time; it’s a wonderful exercise for them,”

Wolfe said.

The Bolsa Chica Land Trust started the Miracles of the Marsh

program three years ago. More than 1,200 children have spent time

exploring and learning about the coastal ecosystem this year.

The docent-led tour is free and, because many of the schools that

participate in the program cannot afford field trips, the trust pays

100% of transportation costs for Title One schools.

“We want kids to come and learn about the Bolsa Chica,” Stirdivant

said.

The program has 17 docents who participate by leading tours and

giving presentations to the students, Stirdivant said. Most docents

are retired teachers interested in the environment, he said.