HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-03; Beach Preservation Commission; ; Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation Activities
Oct. 3, 2023 Item #1 1 of 1
Meeting Date:
Oct. 3, 2023
To:
Beach Preservation Commission
From: Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation Director
Staff Contact: Michael Tully, Parks Planner
michael.tully@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-5724
Subject: Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation Activities
Recommended Action
Receive an informational report on the activities of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation.
Discussion
Samantha Passovoy, Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation’s Director of the Discovery Center, will
discuss conservation, restoration, and educational programs at the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. Ms.
Passovoy will also present information on the ecological benefits of scheduled lagoon
maintenance dredging project and the corresponding sand replenishment at Tamarack State
Beach and Frazee State Beach.
Exhibits
None
Agua Hedionda
Lagoon Foundation
Samantha PassovoyDiscovery Center Director
Samantha.Passovoy@aguahedionda.org
Our Mission
Our Mission is to inspire people through education and outreach to maintain the Agua Hedionda Lagoon as a healthy and accessible watershed.
Our Vision
To be Stewards of the Watershed as we inspire future generations so we all have access to a healthy lagoon. A safe space in nature…for all.
The Discovery Center
Some of our exhibits include:
●Native raptors●Touch pool with local tidal creatures●Bee-quarium●Mammal Manor●Reptile City●Invertebrate Island●Fairyland●Native plant garden●History Hallway●Luiseño History and Culture
Our Aquariums
Education
We host various educational programs, such as:
●Preschool Playdates
●Academy for Environmental Stewardship
●Discovery Camps
●Agua Adventure Camps
●Scout Badge Programs
●Raptor Education
●Outreach Programs
And more...
The Agua Hedionda Lagoon
Today, the Agua Hedionda Lagoon is used for various recreational activities:
●Boating
●Kayaking
●Fishing
●Paddleboarding
●Hiking
But it hasn't always been this way...
The Agua Hedionda Lagoon
One of our Historical Exhibits
The connection between the Agua Hedionda Lagoon and the Pacific Ocean was cut off, causing the lagoon to become a stagnant slew of algae.
What is dredging?
Dredging is the removal of sediment from the bottom of a water source. When our
lagoon is dredged, the sand is returned to local beaches.
Dredging reopens the connection between our lagoon and the Pacific Ocean,
allowing the lagoon to be flushed out by seawater.
Dredging keeps our lagoon healthy.
Dredging
Dredging gives us an opportunity
to do regular surveys of the Lagoon
for Caulerpa taxifolia and other
invasive species.
Caulerpa taxifolia
Dredging
The latest dredge returned
300,000 cubic yards of sand
to Carlsbad State Beach.
Sand being replenished at Carlsbad Beaches
Our sandy beaches attract tourists to Carlsbad
Beaches are the second highest
tourist attractions in Carlsbad
after Legoland.
If our beaches are not replenished
with sand, they will revert to
cobblestone, which is not nearly as
appealing to visitors.South Ponto Beach in Encinitas