Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve

Where the Tijuana River meets the Pacific, this reserve protects one of the few remaining coastal wetlands in Southern California. It’s a critical stopover for migratory birds, a nursery for marine life, and a living laboratory for understanding our changing coasts. This isn’t pristine wilderness—it’s a working ecosystem facing real challenges, from pollution to habitat loss. That’s exactly why it deserves recognition. Rep a reserve that proves conservation happens in complicated places, not just pristine ones.