National Estuarine Research Reserve System

Reserve Information

Designated

1982

Lead Agency

California State Parks and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(Visit California State Parks)
(Visit U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Protects

2,293 acres

Located

15 miles south of San Diego, California, on the Mexican border

Additional Information

Habitats found here support eight threatened and endangered species of plants and birds and is recognized as a 'wetland of international importance' by the Ramsar Convention.

Biogeographic Region

Californian

Tidal Range

N/A

About This Reserve

This reserve preserves one of the largest remaining examples of coastal wetland habitats in southern California. Located in Imperial Beach, CA, the reserve is situated in a highly urbanized location and is immediately adjacent to Tijuana, Mexico. Three quarters of the reserve's watershed is in Mexico, so reserve programs apply an international perspective to critical issues of habitat restoration, endangered species management, wastewater from Mexico, sediment management, and recreational use.

The Tijuana Reserve is one of 30 areas in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. The site is protected for long-term research, water-quality monitoring, education, and coastal stewardship. The reserve is managed by the California State Park system and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. NOAA's Office for Coastal Management provides funding, national guidance, and technical assistance.

National Estuarine
Research Reserves

Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve