Guest post by D'amy Steward

This past weekend EarthEcho International, WILDCOAST, and the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation came together to participate in a restoration event with local San Diego County student volunteers. Ten students ranging in age from 11 to 16 participated in the event. All were eager to get their hands dirty and assist with the lagoon restoration!

Student volunteers worked together to restore a native plant garden—removing logs surrounding the garden and replacing them with stones as the new border. They also removed invasive species such as the wild radish, giving the garden the space needed to thrive. Another group prepped a planter box to expand the native garden. There were smiles all the way around as students wielded shovels and rakes.

“This year’s Earth Day theme was Restore the Earth,” said one of the volunteers. “It was fun to be involved with a restoration project!”

Spending a couple of hours restoring the native garden at Batiquitos Lagoon was a great opportunity for young people to get involved with an environmental project and see their direct impacts. Most indicated they look forward to helping again in the future. And they're not alone. This project is part of a global series of restoration events being driven by youth leaders around the world as part of OceanEcho 30x30 - EarthEcho International's campaign amplify youth voice and leadership in support of efforts to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 and mobilize public support for this goal.

Seeing students outside working together again, even with masks on, after a long year was a refreshing breath of air. You could see it in their eyes how much some of them had missed their volunteer activities. Let’s keep it going and continue to make our planet better for all!

Editor's Note: A special thanks to EarthEcho YLC alum D'amy Steward, WILDCOAST, the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation, and all the youth participants involved for making this event possible!

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