Part of an ongoing series about the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge.
On our ?nal day of trash pick-up for 2023 along Paci?c Coast Highway we came upon a homeless person. Realizing we were near his encampment he came out from his enclosure and greeted us. He then proceeded to assist us in removing his discarded items and carrying them to our truck. He asked for trash bags so that he could contain his future items for disposal.
In December we said farewell to Cameron “Mac” Purvin, who relocated to Arizona to study Mexican gray wolves, an endangered animal whose historical range includes portions of Arizona. The US Fish and Wildlife Service continues to provide oversight of our activities at the Refuge as we anticipate the naming of a future manager.
December 2023 comes to an end and 2024 brings anticipation as to what the future holds. Politics, con?icts, and other existential concerns will continue into this new year. Our focus re?ects concerns for wildlife, native vegetation, trash and waste, and the overriding challenges from climate change.
Following the recent high tides and surf, a walk along the sidewalk which runs along the sand in Old Town revealed reminders of the tasks ahead. Mixed within the sand pushed ashore were thousands if not millions of reminders of the state of our environment. Plastics, food and beverage containers, all mixed together in their teeny-weeny size were visible and awaiting to be removed by our Public works staff … only to be deposited somewhere else. The San Gabriel River channel was providing new items soon to be deposited along the beach. A visit to our alleys revealed trash receptacles over?owing with all manner of items not properly secured. The Wildlife Refuge also becomes the recipient of commercial shipping containers, chemical spray cans, boating discards, ?shing gear, clothing, landscape cuttings, mattresses, in short, all manner of discarded stuff pushed along from the tides.
Many philosophers, educators, and leaders from science, industry and religions share their thoughts on what we should strive to achieve in the year 2024. One recurring theme is “kindness,” which was on display from this year’s Rose Parade. We can sense its presence while walking the streets, shopping in stores, driving the highway, or while collecting trash along PCH.
Friends of Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge is a diverse band of locals who have identified themselves as wanting to protect a small piece of protected wildlife and habitat as a show of kindness. Yet, we face the challenges associated with government funding of US Fish and Wildlife Service, need for youthful members, desiring to remain good partners with our US Navy friends and seeking to ?nd added support from our community. Most importantly our desire is to encourage citizens to acknowledge the climate and environmental challenges we face and to take action, in big or small ways and “hope” that our collective steps will result in kindness for one another.
Joe Lazzari is a member of Friends of Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge.
