June 2025

Quarterly Lecture Series

A flyer showing a diver in the ocean and a boat in the water.

Learn the latest on harmful algae blooms

Join us on Thursday, July 17th at the Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve Field Station and Community Learning Center (2055 Pacific Beach Dr) to learn about Harmful Algal Blooms from the Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System. Doors open at 6:30 pm, and no RSVP is required.

Outgoing Roy Little Fellows

Five people standing at Kendall-Frost Marsh

Thank you to our 2024 - 2025 Roy Little Fellows

Congratulations to our four outgoing Roy Little Fellows (from left) Magali Corona Torres, Sierra Vasquez, Lilian Nguyen, and Mariam Faissal. Also pictured is Dr. Dorothy Little, who supports these student worker positions in honor of her late husband. Magali, Sierra, Lilian, and Mariam helped our outreach efforts run smoothly and gained relevant work experience. Thank you to Dorothy for making this program possible, and thank you to each one of our fellows for your contributions to the Natural Reserve System.

Participatory Science

A flyer showing a group of researchers in the marsh collecting a water sample

Help with local research efforts

UC San Diego Biology Assistant Professor Dr. Noah Rose's lab is hosting regular community events to collect and examine mosquitos at Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve. Find more information and sign up here.

iNaturalist Observation(s) of the Month

Cicada holes at Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve

Photo credit: Kellie Uyeda

Cicada spotted at Scripps Coastal Reserve

Photo credit: Clarissa Rodriguez

A lizard eating a cicada with a cicada hole in the background

Cicada being devoured by a Western Fence Lizard at Scripps Coastal Reserve in July 2019

Photo credit: iNaturalist user walkabata

Summer means sun, fun, and cicadas

Dozens of cicada holes recently appeared at the Frost Family Trail at Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve, just in time for the start of summer. June is prime time for seeing (and hearing) these insects in San Diego, although they never really go away. Cicadas spend most of their lives as nymphs, living underground and consuming root sap. When the time is right, they emerge from the ground, climb a nearby branch, shed their skin, and become an adult. These adults live for a few weeks and reproduce, with the female laying eggs in small stems. Once these eggs hatch, the nymphs drop to the ground, where they dig burrows and remain for several years before emerging.

Post your own photos of native plants or animals on iNaturalist while visiting a NRS reserve (perhaps at one of the events below) for a chance to have your photo featured here next month. Check out all the observations collected at UC San Diego Reserves on iNaturalist.

Happenings at the Reserves

Find the latest on our Calendar of Events

Scripps 1st Saturday
Saturdays, 9 - 11 AM
There are docent-led tours every month at Scripps Coastal Reserve, 9400 La Jolla Farms Road. Learn about our photosynthetic friends & foes, underground bee nurseries, and why Black's Beach has such great surfing as you walk the half-mile trail with a guide. No pre-registration is required, but please see note below.

Weed Warriors
Fridays, 8 - 10 AM (note no meeting on July 4th due to campus holiday)

Every Friday we tackle the invasive weeds at the Scripps Coastal Reserve, 9400 La Jolla Farms Road. Help the native plants take back their territory! No experience is necessary.

NOTE: Pre-registration is not required, but liability waivers are. Closed-toe shoes are also required. Dogs are not allowed due to the habitat protections in place. Be aware that there are no water or toilet facilities. If you have questions or plan to come with a group larger than 5, please email nrs@ucsd.edu at least two days in advance.

Wander the Wetlands

Second and fourth Saturday, 9 - 11 AM
Activities will alternate between guided bird outings, fish seining (counting) and work parties to improve the habitat of Kendall-Frost Marsh. Locations will vary between the dirt lot at the north end of Crown Point Park and the Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve Field Station, 2055 Pacific Beach Drive. This is a partnership project between UC San Diego Natural Reserve System and San Diego Bird Alliance. No pre-registration is required. Find more details here.

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