By Joe Lazzari
It was anything but quiet! There was the sound of heavy breathing, some sound coming from shoes striking the pavement, greetings from the many visitors directed towards the military garbed sentinels watching the passing athletes.
The exchange of words of encouragement and thanks were shared as hundreds of 10K runners were granted the privilege of passing through Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station during Run Seal Beach.
Volunteers from Friends of Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge were also present both on the course as runners and cheering the participants as they passed by the Nature Center and native plant garden. For some who have visited in the past they may have reflected upon their knowledge of the relationship and cooperation between the Navy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Friends.
Those who covered this route for the first time may not realize that the Navy presence and activity is but one aspect of these National lands. The year 1972 ushered in the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge. The race provided runners a glimpse of our local refuge and an opportunity that might inspire some of the runners to visit, volunteer, or support the refuge in the future.
Under the leadership of the Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland there is an effort to “connect and conserve 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030,” of which this 965-acre tidal salt marsh and upland habitat is a small but vital part. The mission of the Friends reflects community stewardship of this refuge through activities that preserve, restore and share nature’s magic taking place each day in the air, on land and under the water.
As the Friends strive to maintain the native plant garden and support the many projects at the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, we reflect upon words from Secretary Haaland, that the agency “puts people at the center and outlines an inclusive and collaborative vision where locally led efforts to conserve, steward, and restore lands and waters will help us reach our shared goals.”
Run Seal Beach was an invitation to race participants to visit a National Wildlife Refuge even though the primary goal was to reach the finish. Hopefully, this event will inspire residents to visit the refuge at a month-end tour sponsored by Friends of Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge.
Visit our website www.sealbeachnwrfriends.org for additional insight into this special place and to learn how to visit. Sailors, Marines, civilians, and resident birds and mammals, native plants and sea creatures find a place of quiet apart from our industrialized world. Spend some time with Friends of Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge. Whether performing tasks in the garden, working in the marsh, speaking to the public at outreach events, or cheering for passing runners, Friends of Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge are caring for our common home.
Joe Lazzari is a member of Friends of Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge.
