Bolsa Chica Conservancy

To inspire and educate all communities to protect, preserve, and restore the Bolsa Chica wetlands.

In 1990 The Bolsa Chica Conservancy (BCC) was formed by a local coalition with the mission to educate the public and restore areas of the wetlands. In 1997, under a state and federal interagency agreement, 880 acres of the remaining lowland portions of Bolsa Chica were purchased by the State of California. Today, The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is comprised of 1,445 acres that is not just a place, but a living, breathing entity deserving of our protection and care.

Daily, BCC offers educational opportunities to visitors of all generations and from every segment of our community. Our new Interpretive Center, located on the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Warner Avenue, is filled with teaching exhibits that educate, restore, and inspire youth and adults through hands-on experiences and community involvement. The Interpretive Center is a success story that will serve visitors to the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve for decades to come.

Every field trip sparks discovery. Every camp experience builds confidence. Every volunteer effort strengthens one of Orange County's most treasured natural resources. Together, we are cultivating a community that values science, embraces conservation, and is committed to preserving the Bolsa Chica wetlands for generations to come.

Our programs need support to operate. In a time when prices are high and expenses for materials and labor are climbing, a non-profit struggles to make ends meet. We need funding to keep out doors open and accessible 7 days a week. Scientific program supplies like water quality test kits, art supplies, printed materials, and engaging visual aids help us to tell our story and educate. In order to protect and conserve the wetlands, our habitat our restoration team needs to replenish supplies and tools regularly and lead volunteers in extensive field work.

While the Conservancy is located in north Orange County, it serves people of all ages from across the United States and the world.  Students, visitors and volunteers from the counties of Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside comprise the lion's share of our clients.

Our education and habitat programs have made a real impact—not only on the wetlands but in the hearts of our community. With your support, we’ve removed nearly 30,000 pounds of invasive plants and trash from our fragile coastal wetlands with the help of over 15 hundred volunteers. That’s more than numbers—it means safe homes for native wildlife, protected nesting sites for endangered birds, and a healthier ecosystem for generations still to come.
The Bolsa Chica Interpretive Center has become a hub of inspiration—a place for students to spread their wings and explore and where a community comes together connected by curiosity. Through interactive tours, camps, and classes we have reached over 28,000 young minds—from wide-eyed kindergartners to passionate college interns. Each of them taking their first steps as environmental stewards. They're not just learning about science or wetlands—they’re discovering that their actions matter, that they have the power to protect something beautiful. Every footstep on our trails becomes a memory, a spark, a moment that shapes the next generation of guardians. Because Bolsa Chica needs them. It needs us. It needs you.
Our mission continues to grow. Inspiring a diverse community isn’t easy—it requires creativity, compassion, and dedication. That’s why, through our Wetlands on Wheels program, we’ve brought nature to the doorsteps of over 8,000 students and community members—many from underserved areas where access to the outdoors isn’t a given but a gift.
That’s the power of your support. Conserving Bolsa Chica is about more than just the land—it’s about nurturing hope, inspiring ideas, and lifting a future where every child, volunteer, and visitor feels connected to a place where the flight of a bird reminds us of something real, lasting, and worth fighting for.

Pulling weeds was where my story with the Conservancy began. One year later, they let me do more and I love every minute of it. The Bolsa Chica isn't just about saving birds, it's about protecting our ocean from storm runoff, providing habitat for breeding fish, and trails for families to simply enjoy being outdoors. Experiencing Bolsa Chica means something different to everyone. That's why if you haven't visited the Bolsa Chica, take an hour and stop by the Interpretive Center. Then walk across the bridge and onto the trails and see where your journey takes you. I promise you won't be sorry. The staff and volunteers will share the biology and history of Bolsa Chica, opening eyes and inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.