Nature's Classroom: Kids with Visual Impairment Explore the Wildlife at Bolsa Chica Reserve

Huntington Beach, California -- On September 14, 2024, families with Partners for Pediatric Vision had a remarkable experience at the Bolsa Chica Conservancy near Huntington Beach. The day was filled with educational and tactile activities for our children with vision loss to learn about the site's ecological preserve, animals, and plants.

The families started their journey at the interpretive center, where they walked through the exhibits/displays and learned about wildlife and marine life native to the area. The children enjoyed the touch tank, where they felt the texture of a red sea star. The center also featured live reptiles such as snakes and lizards, fish, and taxidermy birds.

During the guided nature hike, families learned about the importance of wetland habitats. Along the way, they encountered native plants, like the native sage brush, and even had the opportunity to touch a replica artifact dating back 9,000 years.

They also learned about the birds that call Bolsa Chica Conservancy home. Volunteers from the Conservancy described to our children with vision loss the many plants and species of insects, reptiles, and animals that are part of the ecosystem. The interactive experience also included touching the fur of various animals. Thank you to the staff and volunteers for creating a sensory rich opportunity for our children to learn about nature through touch, smell and sound.

Bolsa Chica is about 1,400 acres, representing one of the largest remaining saltwater marshes in California. It has 5 miles of trails, open from sunrise to sunset every day. It is free to enter and a wonderful place to visit and learn.

For more information, visit https://bolsachica.org or call (714) 846-1114 or email info@bolsachica.org. Bolsa Chica is located at 3842 Warner Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92649

Established in 1990 by a coalition of government, community, business and environmental leaders, the Bolsa Chica Conservancy, a private, not-for-profit organization, provides services that inspire and connect all generations through community involvement and leadership in hands-on restoration and education in wetland science, watersheds, coastal ecology and environmental sustainability.