Carol Kerr and Jennifer Buckner

San Diego is home to over 2.5 million residents and 1,024 miles of freeway. The non-profit San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy is steward to the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, over 900 acres of protected habitat and one of San Diego County’s few remaining coastal wetlands. The shallow-water estuary stretches eastward from the coast and under Interstate 5 where a quarter of million drivers pass over daily, unaware of the lagoon’s riches and the critical role it plays for migratory birds and endangered species.

The educational “Birds Don’t Use I-5" public awareness campaign was conceived by the team at Carol Kerr Graphic Design. It features a 28-page 6-chapter book, map and trail guide, youth activity booklet, and origami birds. Lagoon history, importance of wetlands, and facts about watershed and human impact are detailed along with descriptives and visuals of its eight plant communities and 700 species of birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and plants. Trailheads, hiking trails, and exploring tips come in a handy pocket-sized format. Illustrative activity materials and origami for school-age children provide a critical tool for local educators and a fun way for all to learn about endangered species, migration, terminology, and animal facts. This idea that matters successfully communicated the beauty and importance of the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve to ages 5 and up.

Art direction by Carol Kerr, concept and design by Jennifer Buckner, and production by Carol Kerr Graphic Design. Materials feature 44 illustrations by Jennifer Hewitson and Linda Roberts, 152 photographs by 18 photographers and 3 preservation organizations, original maps by Jennifer Hewitson and Carol Kerr Graphic Design, and text by Heather Henter with Lynne Friedmann and Jennifer Buckner. Printing by Neyenesch Printers, Inc.