SPOTLIGHT: SUPPORTING THE STEWARDS & saving elegant terns
THANK YOU TO THE PORT OF LB AND FRANK COLONNA!
The Port of Long Beach has generously donated $5000 to the Stewards at the behest of former Councilmember and current President of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners, Frank Colonna.
After Lenny helped to rescue 3500 elegant terns in 2021, Frank Colonna asked if he could come out on our boat to see how the Stewards were helping the birds and the local habitat around the Port of Long Beach. After seeing the work we were doing, he kindly intervened on behalf of the Stewards to secure a donation from the Port to help with our efforts.
This generous donation will help elegant terns survive and thrive in and around the Port of Long Beach.
Thank you so much to Frank Colonna and The Port for supporting us!
All about the stewards
Our History
It started with a man, a boat, his loyal dog and 46 acres of salt marsh. In 1994 Lenny Arkinstall, Founder and Executive Director of LCWS, made it his personal goal to completely clean Long Beach's Los Cerritos Wetlands, his efforts continue today. A feat previously attempted, but never achieved. While accomplishing this goal he began inundating himself in our local coastal salt marsh habitats by networking with local experts and by taking courses at local universities. Soon, Lenny himself became recognized as one of those experts. Since then, the Los Cerritos Wetlands Stewards have grown into a student oriented, non-profit organization that specializes in restoring, maintaining, enhancing, managing and researching an assortment of urban wetland, marine, and upland habitats. By implementing an adaptable management approach, the Stewards engage each project with an open-mindedness that allows for everyone to better experience and appreciate the diverse natural habitats Southern California has to offer.
Our Mission
The Stewards hope that through holistic education and community involvement, we can build an awareness that will propagate a growing consciousness for southern California's wildlife. We look forward to cultivating a new generation of naturalists that will continue to restore and protect the native flora and fauna that define the beauty of coastal California.
Our Staff & Volunteers
Over the past five years we have worked with students of all ages, from 6 to 60 years of age. Our educational programs attempt to highlight the significance of native habitats in urban areas and we truly enjoy being able to involve the community in the work that we do.
Contact Us
We would love to hear from you!
Please direct all inquiries to:
LOS CERRITOS WETLANDS STEWARDS
