Photo
by Phil Roullard |
Sweetwater
Marsh
A
unit of the San Diego Bay NWR
Like
its wetland neighbors to the south, Sweetwater Marsh supports many
of the same animals and plants as the Tijuana Slough and South Bay
Refuges. Palmer's Frankenia, a rare salt marsh plant, can also be
found on this refuge.
Surrounded by numerous gardens, the Chula Vista Nature Center soars
like an ark above the 316 acre Sweetwater Marsh. The Nature Center
provides visitors with interpretive and interactive exhibits explaining
the marsh habitat, self-guided environmental education programs,
guided nature and bird walks, a shark and ray exhibit, and the opportunity
to view native birds in outdoor aviaries that support burrowing
owls, shorebirds, egrets and herons. Aviary dwellers are all birds
that cannot be released back into their native habitats.
“Sweetwater Safari,” a self-guided field experience
for elementary students is only one of the many programs provided
each day at the Chula Vista Nature Center. The Nature Center is
run by the City of Chula Vista in partnership with the San Diego
Refuge Complex.
The Nature Center is located at the foot of E Street and Interstate
5 in Chula Vista. Please call the Chula Vista Nature Center and
Sweetwater Marsh for times of operation, admission to the Center
and Refuge, reservations, scheduled activities and reservations
for large groups: (619) 409-5900.
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