Protecting and preserving the Tijuana Estuary
Since 1979, the Tijuana Estuary Foundation, formerly the Southwest Wetlands Interpretive Association (SWIA), has led efforts to understand, protect, and restore one of our most vital yet vulnerable ecosystems - the coastal wetlands of the Tijuana Estuary.
Through this work, we helped establish the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve (TRNERR), which has become a cornerstone for environmental science, education, and public engagement. Decades of solutions-oriented research at this living laboratory, paired with thoughtful conservation, strong partnerships, and community support, have helped preserve one of our planet’s richest natural resources and transform it into a model for connecting people with nature.
Our Mission
Our mission is to support the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve's programs to help them be efficient, effective, and sufficiently funded for the benefit and enjoyment of all who rely on these unique natural and cultural resources throughout the Southern California Bight.
Vision Statement
Our vision is that the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve's programs to restore and conserve coastal wetlands and connected natural lands are fully supported, so that these lands are appreciated and protected in perpetuity for everyone.
Support Us
Learn more about how you can support our efforts to sustain the vital work of the Reserve, and preserve the natural resources and beauty of the Tijuana Estuary.
About Us
The Tijuana Estuary Foundation - TRNERR's nonprofit partner.
The Tijuana Estuary is the largest intact coastal wetland in Southern California. In the 1960s and ’70s, this ecological treasure faced plans to be dredged and turned into a marina, but a coalition of concerned citizens, scientists, and agencies envisioned a different future—one grounded in conservation and restoration. Their efforts laid the foundation for what would become the Tijuana Estuary Foundation.
Formally established in 1979 as the Southwest Wetlands Interpretive Association (SWIA), the organization's efforts led to the creation of the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge in 1980. Just two years later, SWIA led the estuary's designation as a National Estuarine Research Reserve. In the decades that followed, SWIA constructed the award-winning Visitor Center and partnered with California State Parks and NOAA to hire TRNERR staff. SWIA also implemented several large-scale restoration projects, secured a Ramsar designation that recognized the estuary as a Wetland of International Importance, and led the effort to establish the Tijuana River Mouth State Marine Conservation Area, which created a contiguous network of protected areas in the river valley, estuary, and ocean.
In 2025, the organization adopted a new name—the Tijuana Estuary Foundation—to reflect its enduring commitment to protecting this unique ecosystem and sharing its success as a model for estuarine research, training, education, and stewardship.