What We Do
Talbert Marsh 
offers the public a multipurpose trail on approximately 25 acres from Brookhurst Street to the Santa Ana River Trail and is owned in total by the Conservancy. Around 90 species of birds have been observed at Talbert Marsh and the other adjoining Huntington Beach wetlands. In addition to year round residents, thousands of birds use the Huntington wetlands as a rest stop during their long migrations along the Pacific flyway from their nesting grounds in the Arctic to their wintering grounds in South America.
Throughout most of the year, the water in the marsh is seawater from the ocean inlet located at Talbert Marsh. Water flows in and out twice a day with the tide and can rise and fall as much as 8 feet. Fresh water also washes down storm water channels during winter rains.
In 1989, a man-made dike separating the wetlands from the flood control channel was breached and tidal flushing action was restored.
Brookhurst Marsh 
consists of approximately 67 acres between Brookhurst and Magnolia Streets. Restoration of this marsh began in September 2008 and was completed in March 2009. Future plans may include a staging/native plant area on a small triangular plot owned by the City of Huntington Beach at the corner of Banning and Magnolia.
Magnolia Marsh is located between Magnolia Street and the AES power plant. Restoration of the marsh began in April 2009, and re-creation of the historical marsh channels and restoration of full tidal influence were completed in March 2010.
Click here for time-lapse images of the Magnolia Marsh Restoration
Public access and education in the value of coastal wetlands are also important elements in the Magnolia Marsh project. A raised observation deck now extends out over a tidal pond, and a boat dock for a maintenance boat. Both are a short walk from our interpretive center. Interpretive signage was installed in June 2016, and a trail system is planned that will extend around the perimeter of the marsh.
Newland Marsh The 49-acre Newland Marsh is located along Beach Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway, and extends behind a mobile home park all the way to Newland Street. The property is currently owned by CalTrans, but the Conservancy is actively negotiating with them to acquire the property. The acquisition should be completed in 2020. Following acquisition, it would require about 4 -5 years to secure the necessary funds, prepare the engineering, plans & specifications and complete the restoration.
Aerial photos: Ed Paige