Brochures aimed at protecting tide pools on the way

Paul Clinton

CRYSTAL COVE -- To help protect the delicate marine ecosystem at

Little Corona tide pools, Newport Beach has placed an order for

explanatory brochures.

The laminated, folding pamphlets include colorful pictures of sea life

-- including gooseneck barnacle, rock weed and a black turban snail.

They also include five tips to protect the tide pools from excited

children. The brochures advise children not to remove shells or rocks,

pick up the animals or overturn rocks.

“It’s a teaching tool and a little bit of behavior modification,” said

Tony Melum, the city’s harbor resources director. “What they need to know

is that they’re on a very sensitive area.”

To give curious children a broader perspective, the pamphlets also

include an explanation of the basics of marine environment.

The pamphlets will be provided by the Crystal Cove Conservancy, a

nonprofit group founded by Joan Irvine Smith. The conservancy will also

provide the brochures to California State Parks, which owns Crystal Cove

State Park.

The clear, simple pictures of the sea life were designed to be easy to

read and understand, conservancy spokeswoman Brenda Stouffer said.

“I think it will be helpful,” Stouffer said about the brochures. “The

artwork will be something that will catch a child’s eye.”

The city plans to order 15,000 copies of the newly created brochure.

It will cost the city about $3,000. Melum said he is still working to get

final approval in City Hall for the funding.