Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Tr for Long Beach & Seal Beach
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust of Long Beach and Seal Beach seeks to acquire, restore, preserve and provide education about the former estuary of the Lower San Gabriel River, its tidal salt marsh, riparian habitats, and buffer of coastal sage scrub habitats.
- Income
- $525,566
- Spending
- $404,765
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 56.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 72%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 30
- Highest pay
- $37,350, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 56.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 72% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $141,031 spent. ADVOCACY: The Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust has advocated for the protection of Los Cerritos Wetlands and the surrounding San Gabriel River estuary since 2001. In 2025, the Land Trust conducted environmental advocacy campaigns and provided oversight, collaboration, expertise, and defense of the wetlands in the following areas: We engaged experts to review a plan to use pumps to circulate water in Alamitos Bay, with the goal of demonstrating that more environmentally friendly pollution abatement alternatives are viable. We organized opposition to a proposal to construct environmentally damaging solar panels (intended to power oil operations) adjacent to sensitive publicly owned lands that are habitat for threatened species. We are monitoring proposed development projects within the Los Cerritos Wetlands Complex. We publicized and attended workshops on restoration designs to ensure the public is aware of the increased habitat protection this plan will provide.
- $116,258 spent. COMMUNITY OUTREACH & PUBLIC EDUCATION: The Land Trust offers numerous education programs. Among these is the unique community service of free monthly guided nature walks through the wetlands led by trained ecologists and naturalists. These experts provide an immersive experience in our local wetlands while educating attendees about their history and importance. Due to the ongoing restoration of the Southern Area, we redirected our Raptor Ramble nature walk through Gum Grove Park. We host educational kayak tours of Steamshovel Slough, the most pristine part of the wetlands, led by a trained naturalist. The Land Trust also offers field trips for elementary classrooms, with an emphasis on students from Title I schools. We collaborate with the Long Beach parks district on their hands-on Be S.A.F.E. summer youth program by hosting youth from some of Long Beachs most urban neighborhoods at Zedler Marsh so they can learn about and explore the tidal salt marsh ecosystem.
- $112,165 spent. RESTORATION, STEWARDSHIP & GENERAL MISSION: In 2025, the Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust supported activities to advance the mission of preserving, protecting, and stewarding Los Cerritos Wetlands as a healthy, natural open space, with an emphasis on restoring habitat for the Beldings Savannah Sparrow. We sponsored extensive habitat restoration, including efforts to improve wetland water quality. We sponsored the removal of invasive plants, maintained a robust native plant demonstration garden, and publicized community-based restoration events.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2002.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.