Exploring the Wonders of the Wetlands: A Special Day at Bolsa Chica Nature Conservancy

Photo Courtesy of Mike McKinney

At Partners for Pediatric Vision, we believe in the power of nature to educate, inspire, and connect. On May 31st, we had the privilege of returning to the Bolsa Chica Nature Conservancy for another memorable day of exploration. Joined by long-time supporters and volunteers, including Susie and Mike McKinney, and Maylen Hickman, our group had a fantastic opportunity to immerse ourselves in the beauty and diversity of this unique coastal ecosystem.

A Special Guided Tour

This year, we were fortunate to be guided through the wetlands by the Conservancy's very own Executive Director, Carissa Macias. Carissa's deep knowledge and passion for the Bolsa Chica wetlands made the tour even more engaging for both kids and adults alike. As we wandered through the trails, Carissa shared fascinating insights about the delicate ecology of the area.

Throughout the tour, we were treated to incredible wildlife sightings, from tiny crabs along the shore to the seabirds soaring above. The highlight of the day was spotting not one, but two rattlesnakes, along with a few playful bunnies hopping through the brush. Each stop along the trail offered something new to discover—whether it was learning about the sagebrush, or "Cowboy Cologne" that fills the air with its distinct aroma, or the exciting moment when Carissa shared handfuls of tiny Harlequin beetles with the group. These vibrant beetles, with their bright red, orange, or yellow markings against a black background, were a fun, hands-on part of the experience. Children loved the opportunity to gently touch the beetles and feel them crawl across their hands.

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The Interpretive Center: A Closer Look at Wildlife

After our outdoor adventure, we headed back to the Interpretive Center, where the children and families got a chance to see and feel different animal furs and a taxidermy Red Tailed Hawk. But the excitement didn’t stop there! The grand finale of the day was meeting a live Sea Star and a Rosy Boa snake. Kids and families were invited to gently pet the Rosy Boa and the Sea Star, all while learning fascinating facts about these incredible creatures.

A Day to Remember Our trip to the Bolsa Chica Nature Conservancy was more than just a fun outing: it was a chance for families to connect with nature, deepen their understanding of local ecosystems, and create lasting memories. But perhaps most importantly, it was an opportunity for families to connect with one another, sharing experiences and support as they navigate their unique journeys of raising children with vision impairment.

We’re so grateful for the continued support of our volunteers, staff, families, and the amazing team at Bolsa Chica for making this day possible. A special thank you to Carissa Macias for her exceptional guidance and for helping us take in the wetlands by sound and touch as well as sight! We’d also like to extend our gratitude to Susie for donating bottled water, Mike for taking beautiful photos, and to Maylen for providing Spanish translation of the tour for our Spanish-speaking families. As a token of appreciation, each family was given a PPV-branded bag filled with treats and bottled water to enjoy. We can’t wait for next year’s adventure!

Thank you PPV Child & Family Specialist Heather Dawson for making these specially printed bags. They were a hit!