By organizing, lobbying their Congressman, visiting the US Fish and Wildlife service in Washington DC, and regularly exploring the wetlands, Mike and Patricia McCoy protected the wetland.  Despite having their meeting shot up by real estate developers, their efforts got this area protected as the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge and a neighboring  state park.  Over 370 species of birds use the estuary.  It is also a nursery for fish.  Story