CARLSBAD — A room full of concerned residents and environmental leaders met with city and local agency staff at the Discovery Center off Cannon Road on May 3 to review the Habitat Management Plan for the city of Carlsbad.

The annual meeting started with a walk around the Agua Hedionda lagoon, and was followed by a two-hour presentation by city officials. Exhibits were also set up to provide information.

At the meeting, city staff gave an overview of the plan and the past three years that it has been in place, while answering questions and listening to the concerns of local residents and environmental groups.

Much of the developed land in the city has been home to sensitive and endangered species of plants and animals.

According to city officials, the Habitat Management Plan was adopted in 2004 as a way for the city to preserve the diversity of the habitat and protect the sensitive biological resources within the city, while allowing additional development consistent with the city’s General Plan.

The Habitat Management Plan is part of a larger regional Multiple Habitat Conservation Program.