The Visitor Center for the Tijuana Estuary, the largest coastal wetland in southern California, and one of the few not divided by a freeway or railroad; is critical for the recovery of the endangered Light-footed Clapper Rail and supports one of the largest populations of this species. It is one of the only FREE attractions in economically strapped South Bay. Due to state budget cuts, the visitor's center is scheduled to be closed during weekdays, remaining open only on Saturday and Sunday beginning in mid-September, unless the community can come forward and contribute the funds needed to staff one individual at the center for Wed- Fri.
(See the California State Parks press release regarding the closure here).

For now, the Visitor Center remains open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, thanks to the efforts of our Friends of San Diego Wildlife Refuges (Friends) group, a non-profit partner with California State Parks.  We have been able to generate funds to keep the Center open on weekdays through the middle of September.  But we are a small organization and we need your help to raise $7-10,000 to keep the Visitor Center open through June 2012. 

Your contribution will help staff the center for school groups and other educational programs, as well as the general public You can download a donation form and send your contribution directly to the Friends group. Because we are a 501c3 organization and the only joint U.S. Fish and Wildlife and California State Parks cooperating association in the State, your donation to this cause is entirely tax deductible.

Please help keep this valuable community resource open during the week. If you have any questions, please contact the Friends of San Diego Wildlife Refuges at contact@friendsofsdrefuges.org.