The Amigos de Bolsa Chica is one of the oldest and most successful environmental preservation
organizations in California. Our mission is to advocate the preservation, restoration, and
maintenance of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve and to provide education about the importance
of the local ecosystem.
The Amigos have traditionally conducted free, public twice‐monthly wetland tours, as well as
Naturalist‐led private field trips for schools, scouts and other organizations since its inception in
1976. The FLOW (Follow and Learn about the Ocean and Wetland) Program was created to provide
an opportunity for Amigos members and local residents to learn more about coastal ecology, to
participate in the collection of scientific data and to get involved in environmental quality
monitoring efforts. FLOW Field Trips have been offered to both the public, scout groups, and school
students.
COVID‐19 has changed our immediate and long‐term approaches to our environmental education
outreach efforts. We have an urgent need to adapt our programs for distance learning, for keeping
volunteers engaged and educators supported, and for keeping our volunteers, tour and field trip
participants safe.
