Younger Lagoon Reserve

Younger Lagoon Reserve

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Portions of a freestanding sea wall remain. Most of the time, the lagoon is cut off from the ocean by a barrier sand and rock bar. and Mrs. Donald Younger.

One of the few relatively undisturbed wetlands remaining on the California Central Coast, the Younger Lagoon Reserve encompasses a remnant Y-shaped lagoon on the open coast just north of Monterey Bay. Infrequently, the mouth of Younger Lagoon opens to ocean waters. The lagoon system provides protected habitat for 100 resident and migratory bird species. Approximately 25 species of water and land b

03/16/2026

Come take a tour of Younger Lagoon Reserve! Our 90-minute, behind-the-scenes hiking tour takes visitors into the 25-acre lagoon and beach area. Come and see what scientists are doing to track local mammals, restore native habitat, and learn about the workings of one of California’s coastal lagoons.

Younger Lagoon Reserve Beach Tours are free and open to the public. Space is limited to 18 participants. Call 831-459-3800 or book online:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/younger-lagoon-reserve-tour-registration-340637414677

06/24/2025

Come visit us this summer!

Our 90-minute, behind-the-scenes hiking tour takes visitors into the 25-acre lagoon and beach area. Come and see what scientists are doing to track local mammals, restore native habitat, and learn about the workings of one of California’s coastal lagoons.

Younger Lagoon Reserve Beach Tours are free and open to the public. Space is limited to 18 participants. Call 831-459-3800 or book online:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/younger-lagoon-reserve-tour-registration-340637414677

Come take a tour of Younger Lagoon Reserve! Our 90-minute, behind-the-scenes hiking tour takes visitors into the 25-acre lagoon and beach area. Come and see what scientists are doing to track local mammals, restore native habitat, and learn about the workings of one of California’s coastal lagoons.

Younger Lagoon Reserve Beach Tours are free and open to the public. Space is limited to 18 participants. Call 831-459-3800 or book online:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/younger-lagoon-reserve-tour-registration-340637414677 12/23/2024

Come take a tour of Younger Lagoon Reserve! Our 90-minute, behind-the-scenes hiking tour takes visitors into the 25-acre lagoon and beach area. Come and see what scientists are doing to track local mammals, restore native habitat, and learn about the workings of one of California’s coastal lagoons.

Younger Lagoon Reserve Beach Tours are free and open to the public. Space is limited to 18 participants. Call 831-459-3800 or book online:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/younger-lagoon-reserve-tour-registration-340637414677

Come take a tour of Younger Lagoon Reserve! Our 90-minute, behind-the-scenes hiking tour takes visitors into the 25-acre lagoon and beach area. Come and see what scientists are doing to track local mammals, restore native habitat, and learn about the workings of one of California’s coastal lagoons. Younger Lagoon Reserve Beach Tours are free and open to the public. Space is limited to 18 participants. Call 831-459-3800 or book online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/younger-lagoon-reserve-tour-registration-340637414677

Seymour Marine Discovery Center – Aquarium and science center at UCSC 05/07/2024

If you're interested in learning more about coastal prairie and beach habitat, flora, and fauna, you're in luck.
Younger Lagoon Reserve tours are free and open to the public. Space is limited to 18 participants. Call 831-459-3800 or sign-up online. Virtual tours are available online. See link in bio or at

Seymour Marine Discovery Center – Aquarium and science center at UCSC Open Now Discover the science behind the extraordinary natural events we have experienced in Santa Cruz County, the solutions available to our community, and how you can help make them happen.

11/13/2023

Fall tours of Younger Lagoon are still happening! If you're interested in learning more about coastal prairie and beach habitat, flora, and fauna, you're in luck. Younger Lagoon Reserve tours are free and open to the public. Space is limited to 18 participants. Call 831-459-3800 or sign-up online. Virtual tours are available online. See link in bio or at seymourcenter.ucsc.edu.

Photos from Younger Lagoon Reserve's post 09/21/2023

Technology continues to further our understanding of the natural world, and the Motus Wildlife Tracking System has recently unveiled groundbreaking insights into the migratory patterns of various species above Younger Lagoon Reserve. The Motus system, a collaborative effort by researchers and conservationists, employs tiny radio transmitters attached to wildlife, allowing scientists to track their movements with unprecedented precision. A recent series of flyovers above Younger Lagoon Reserve has yielded invaluable data on the migratory behavior of birds in the region.

The Motus station adjacent to YLR (CDFW_SantaCruz) recently detected three different migratory species since its deployment last spring. These detections include a Red Knot, Brown Pelican, and Swainson's Thrush, all providing valuable insights into their long journeys. The Motus system's flyovers are instrumental in informing conservation efforts and habitat protection, ensuring that critical stopover sites like Younger Lagoon Reserve continue to provide safe haven for these migrating creatures.

Younger Lagoon Reserve's involvement in the Motus project underscores the collaborative nature of this research, as many organizations across the continent use similar tag frequencies, enhancing the potential for broader discoveries in avian migration. For real-time tracking and further information, you can visit the live detection map for the station on the Motus website here. This ongoing research promises to unlock more secrets of these incredible migrations and emphasizes the importance of conservation initiatives to protect vital ecosystems.

08/24/2023

If you're interested in learning more about coastal prairie and beach habitat, flora, and fauna, you're in luck. Younger Lagoon Reserve tours are free and open to the public. Space is limited to 18 participants. Call 831-459-3800 or sign-up online.
Virtual tours are available online. See link in bio or at seymourcenter.ucsc.edu.

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Location

Address


100 Shaffer Road
Santa Cruz, CA
95060