Record Attendance Marks 20 Years of Love Your Wetlands Day at UC San Diego
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UC San Diego's Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve welcomed more than 1,300 attendees celebrating two decades of Love Your Wetlands Day, an event dedicated to bringing awareness to the University of California Natural Reserve System, and the preservation and restoration of vital wetland ecosystems.
In collaboration with the San Diego Bird Alliance, this year’s celebration reached a new attendance milestone, showcasing the community's growing commitment to environmental research and stewardship.
Kellie Uyeda, executive director of the UC San Diego Natural Reserve System (left) and Cristina Santa Maria, conservation manager at the San Diego Bird Alliance (right), accept Love Your Wetlands Day proclamation from Cambria Head, Community Representative for Council President Joe LaCava, City of San Diego. Photo by Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego
Originally a modest cleanup initiative with just 50 participants, Love Your Wetlands Day has transformed into a large-scale community celebration that engages residents, students from grade school to graduate school, environmental advocates and conscientious nonprofit organizations.
The day also included introductory speeches from Stan Rodriguez of the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel and president of Kumeyaay Community College; Randy Wilde, Senior Policy Advisor for Mayor Todd Gloria; Cambria Head, Community Representative for Council President Joe LaCava; Cody Petterson, San Diego Unified School Board President; Corinne Peek-Asa, UC San Diego Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation; Andrew Meyer, Director of Conservation at San Diego Bird Alliance and Kellie Uyeda, executive director of UC San Diego Natural Reserve System.
“What began as a small grassroots effort has flourished into an annual tradition that draws ever-growing numbers, demonstrating an understanding of the importance of wetlands preservation,” said Uyeda of the UC San Diego Natural Reserve System. “We’re not just honoring 20 years of conservation; we're actively paving the way for future generations to continue this important work.”
Volunteers in kayaks initiate a cleanup of the marsh edges. Photo by Victor Santos/San Diego Bird Alliance
Throughout the day, attendees engaged in various activities, including guided nature walks, canoe tours, educational booths, and hands-on workshops. This year, the introduction of Spanish-language science talks, organized in collaboration with the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, expanded binational outreach efforts, attracting diverse participation, including attendees from throughout Baja California.
The day included representation from most of the higher education institutions in the region, including San Diego State, University of San Diego, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Kumeyaay Community College, Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego and the Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education of Ensenada.
Volunteers paint mural at entrance to the event with artist Audrey Carver, commissioned by San Diego Bird Alliance. Photo by Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego
“It’s wonderful to see the event becoming more inclusive and impactful,” said Cristina Santa Maria, conservation manager at the San Diego Bird Alliance. “Love Your Wetlands Day combines science with community empowerment, urging the region to prioritize funding for wetland restoration, creating a sustainable future for countless species and people across the coast while strengthening resilience against environmental challenges.”
A highlight of the day was the community cleanup, where over 112 volunteers worked tirelessly to collect 75 pounds of trash from the marsh's edge. The debris consisted primarily of single-use plastics such as small toys, balls and wrappers (44%), along with metal, wood and cardboard.
Mariachi Internacional San Diego performs. Photo by Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego
Only 10% of the debris was recyclable California Redemption Value items. Organized by Sierra Vasquez, a Roy Little Fellow at the NRS and UC San Diego biology major, the marsh walk cleanups not only removed litter but also enhanced the health of the marsh ecosystem.
The trash was sorted, weighed and counted by Theresa Talley and Tanya Torres from California Sea Grant at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
"This is one my favorite celebrations of the year. It is truly inspiring to see so many regional partners and academic institutions coming together to encourage a deeper understanding of the research taking place to understand our natural world and sustain the habitats that help our region thrive," said Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation Corinne Peek-Asa, who oversees the UC San Diego Natural Reserve System. "And what a great day to also honor the donors who made our newest research facility, the Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve Field Station and Community Learning Center, possible."
It is truly inspiring to see so many regional partners and academic institutions coming together to encourage a deeper understanding of the research taking place to understand our natural world and sustain the habitats that help our region thrive
Accipiter Dance company performance with choreography inspired by the marsh habitat and event. Photo by Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego
In addition to the cleanup, participants had the opportunity to engage with scientists conducting research in the field of ecology, biology or conservation as well as enjoy performances, plein air painting, kayaking, bird watching and activities.
Since its inception in 2005, Love Your Wetlands Day has gained support from organizations like the San Diego Bird Alliance, Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve and Kumeyaay Community College.
For more information on future Love Your Wetlands Day and to explore future conservation opportunities, visit lywd.ucsd.edu or nrs.ucsd.edu.
Student lifts oar to celebrate after tule boat race win. Photo by Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego
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