Celebrating a Legacy of Coastal Conservation
Friends Host Event Honoring Pat & Mike McCoy — Visionaries of the Tijuana Estuary
On February 13, 2026, the Friends of San Diego Wildlife Refuges proudly hosted a special event celebrating decades of dedicated conservation work by two pillars of our coastal community: Patricia and Mike McCoy. The celebration brought together refuge supporters, community members, and local conservation leaders to recognize the McCoys’ extraordinary contributions and to unveil new interpretive signs along the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge trails — funded by the Friends. A Half-Century of Stewardship.
Pat and Mike McCoy have devoted more than 50 years to protecting California’s coastline and the extraordinary wildlife that depends on it — especially within the Tijuana River Estuary and surrounding refuges. Settled in Imperial Beach in the early 1970s, the McCoys were instrumental in the effort to save one of Southern California’s last major wetlands from development, ensuring it remained a thriving sanctuary for birds, fish, mammals, and rare plants.
Mike’s remarkable advocacy helped defeat plans for a marina within the estuary, and Patricia went on to serve on the Coastal Commission as well as the Imperial Beach City Council — roles that amplified their impact far beyond their own backyard. Their legacy includes helping establish the estuary as a protected wildlife refuge and as a living laboratory for research and habitat restoration.
Honoring the McCoys’ Vision
The Friends’ event featured the official unveiling of new interpretive signs along the refuge’s trail. These signs tell the story of the estuary’s rich biodiversity and the conservation milestones achieved over the decades — and they were made possible through funding by the Friends of San Diego Wildlife Refuges.
During the ceremony, Mike and Patricia were joined by refuge staff, advocates, and visitors as they walked the trail paths now furnished with these educational displays. Their passion for wildlife and habitat protection was evident as they pointed out birds like egrets in the marsh and shared stories of past campaigns and ongoing environmental challenges.
Inspiring Future Generations
“This isn’t just recognition for Pat and Mike,” said one refuge leader during the event. “It’s a reminder of what committed citizens can accomplish — and a call to the next generation to carry this work forward.”
Their efforts resonate deeply with the Friends’ mission: to support habitat conservation, environmental education, and the stewardship of San Diego’s wildlife refuges. The new interpretive signs engage visitors with the natural wonders of the estuary and invite them to connect more meaningfully with the landscapes these refuges protect.
Special thanks to Jill Terp for being a great coordinator and emcee and the the Friends board in attendance.
Link to Los Angeles Times article
