Loving the Lagoon through Collective Stewardship
A Stewardship Pathways training event held in late August 2026 provided a unique opportunity for over 50 participants to play a part in Batiquitos lagoon’s stewardship story. Through hands-on activities across trails and mud flats, participants met the stewards of the lagoon, learned about the cultural connections and monitoring efforts there, and had the opportunity to build connections with one another in support of adapting to a changing climate.
Located on Kumeyaay and Luiseño lands in Carlsbad, Batiquitos Lagoon is one of southern California’s most vibrant coastal wetlands as a result of longstanding collaborative stewardship efforts. As part of our Stewardship Pathways program, the Climate Science Alliance team and partners hosted a training on August 29, 2026 for families, students, lagoon enthusiasts, stewards, and curious community members to be a part of the lagoon’s stewardship story. Through unique hands-on activities across the lagoon’s shorelines and trails, over 50 participants had space to build collaborations and share knowledge in support of adapting to a changing climate.
The day began with a heartfelt welcome from the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians council member, who beautifully welcomed us to the space and articulated how essential collaboration and partnership is for environmental stewardship. Participants then heard from the agency and non-profit organization partners who care for the lagoon on a daily basis, represented by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation (BLF) Board. The presence of leadership from the Rincon Tribe, CDFW, and BLF in the day's activities powerfully reinforced that these partnerships between state agencies, Tribal nations, organizations, and local communities are not merely administrative, but the living foundation of climate solutions in California. We appreciate each of them for their leadership and the meaningful, on-the-ground action they make possible each day so that places like Batiquitos Lagoon remain in the future.
To connect with the land, and learn more about current stewardship practices to enhance native plant restoration, participants were led by Tipey Joa Native Warriors and BLF docents on a guided nature walk along the lagoon’s trails. Participants heard about the native plants’ ability to survive dry southern California summers, and used a binocular scope to see bird species that depend on the various habitat types nearby the lagoon.
Along the lagoon’s shoreline, participants had a unique opportunity to step beyond the roped-off trail to learn about coastal stewardship from a Kumyaay knowledge holder, a wetland ecologist, and graduate research students from the California Estuary Marine Protected Area Monitoring Program. As the group walked from the dry part of the mudflat into the marsh, some trainees wearing waterproof booties to literally immerse themselves in the learning, they experienced firsthand what it takes to monitor and care for this unique ecosystem. Through discussion and demonstrations, participants understand the lagoon not only as an ecosystem to study and protect, but also as a place with deep cultural history and significant meaning.
Returning from the trails and mudflats, the trainees returned to the shade of the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation’s educational center for lunch. While participants shared lunch prepared by Sunny Street Outreach, they shared reflections and stories about coastal animals and stewardship with one another. The day’s experiences brought together science, stewardship, and cultural knowledge in a way that made the health and importance of Batiquitos Lagoon tangible. We hope everyone left with a deeper appreciation for the marsh, the species that depend on it, and the people who continue to learn from, care for, and protect this special place.
This Climate Science Alliance Stewardship Pathways event was hosted in collaboration with our partners at the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, California Estuary Marine Protected Area Monitoring Program, Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Tipey Joa Native Warriors. Support for this partnership comes from the California State Coastal Conservancy.
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Our Stewardship Pathways training program is co-created with partners and reflects a collaborative approach to stewardship and conservation. Together we build capacity, support economic and workforce development, and advance co-stewardship of all ancestral lands.
