A restored Los Cerritos Wetlands will provide multiple links: between land, air and water; between the alluvial watershed of the San Gabriel River and the Catalina Channel; between El Dorado Park and the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge.

Flocks of migratory birds, after flying all day and night from as far as Alaska, Canada and Mexico, cross the unbroken concrete of the LA Basin to find sanctuary at the wetlands. They arrive dead tired, hungry and in need of shelter. If this last critical habitat is developed with more urban sprawl, the detrimental effects this will cause these beautiful creatures will be far reaching.

The wetlands provide links for migrating birds and spawning fish, as well as an essential link between nature and human beings.

At each link, something wonderful will happen:

Restoring the wetlands isn't just for the birds, but for the people who watch them, too. In fact, birding has become an exceedingly popular hobby, partly because of how easy it is to get started. A modest pair of binoculars, nice weather and the possibility of spotting a few rare species result in hours of fun. Bird watching has become so popular that a rehabilitated Wetlands is sure to have a positive effect on Long Beach tourism and provide yet more value and return on investment.

Sport fishing presents another valuable opportunity for the community. At one time, the coastal waters off the Los Cerritos Wetlands were a prime fishing spot, coveted for their abundance and diversity of fish. As the estuaries disappeared, so did the fish. Once restored, the Wetlands can give rise to a renewed sport fishing industry, attracting tourism from all across the country.