WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 1999

Book to celebrate nature

By Nicola Chadwick

On-Line Forty-Niner

Calling all nature lovers.

Those who feel strongly about nature, specifically the Bolsa Chica wetlands, are encouraged to submit their poetry, essays or remembrances dealing with coastal ecosystems. Chosen submissions will be used to compile a 90-page book, "Celebrate the Bolsa Chica."

"Celebrating the Bolsa Chica is a means of educating people about the vast importance of our ecological system," said Elliot Fried, Cal State Long Beach creative writing professor and book project coordinator.

Bolsa Chica runs along a stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway in Orange County and is home to variety of birds and creatures that rely on it for survival.

Destruction of the wetlands could devastate surrounding ecological systems that also depend on Bolsa Chica, Fried said.

Bolsa Chica is under threat of development as a site for condominiums and apartments. While there is no date set for development, Fried said he hopes to delay development indefinitely by rallying public support.

Poetry submissions should be 30 lines or less, essays and remembrances should be 150 to 200 words maximum. The book will be available to the general public by Christmas. Winners will also receive a complimentary copy.

Entries should be sent to P.O. Box 3591, Long Beach, 90803. Deadline for submission is June 20.