The Ballona Freshwater Marsh:
Wildlife Returns to Ballona

The Ballona Freshwater Marsh was just constructed in 2003 but has already given us a glimpse of the tremendous potential for bringing back wildlife to the Ballona Wetlands, one of the most highly impacted natural areas in southern California. Monitoring to date has resulted in a gold mine of data. Today, the total number of native bird species seen at the Freshwater Marsh since 2003 is more than 180. This number of species encompasses a wide range of taxonomic families with associated diversity in life histories and food preferences. This number is also larger than the 129 species reported for all of the Ballona Wetlands in early surveys (1979-1981), and compares favorably with other freshwater wetlands that have existed for much longer periods of time.  These marshes include Madrona Marsh (more than 200 species) and Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park (more than 300 species). With maturity, it can be expected that the Ballona Freshwater Marsh will become one of the most diverse wetlands in southern California. At least 16 species of birds have been documented to nest and raise young, meeting the Marsh’s final standard (agreed to by regulatory agencies) for long-term performance. Thus the Marsh is more than a decade ahead of expectations in providing breeding habitat for birds. Check out the information box at the Freshwater Marsh and this web site for the most recent checklist of birds observed.  

Water quality is good and continues to meet regional standards.  Bacteria concentrations and nutrient levels (i.e. evidence of pollution from fertilizers) have remained low.  Toxicity tests, which essentially measure survivorship of standard test organisms (minnow and water flea, respectively representing fish and aquatic invertebrates) in water samples, have shown high survival. No pesticides have been detected.  Shortly after monitoring began at the Marsh, concentrations of two heavy metals (cadmium and zinc) were detected in sediment samples, at levels slightly above screening criteria established by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  These substances typically appear in runoff from urban areas and appear to be originating from the Jefferson Boulevard watershed outside of Playa Vista.  However, cadmium and zinc also constitute “micronutrients” for plant growth and are required by plants in low concentrations.  Currently there is no evidence of potential hazard to wildlife but, as required by the regulatory agencies, these heavy metals and many others will continue to be monitored.  Recent sediment samples within the past two years have not shown any trends of metal accumulation.

In the context of water quality it is important to point out that a substantial amount of trash flows into the Marsh from the Jefferson watershed, although fortunately most of it is trapped and removed at the storm drain inlets to the Marsh before it becomes a problem in the Marsh itself.  Much of this trash consists of plastic shopping bags, plastic bottles, styrofoam and paper cups, plastic bottle and cup lids, straws, and fast food wrappers.  This kind of trash is also common in waters of the Ballona Flood Control Channel, which flow directly into the ocean. While many of us may feel helpless to do anything about the environment, one real action with tangible benefit is to avoid use of these materials completely, or at the very least make sure they are disposed of properly in sealed trash cans. If more people insisted on using reusable cloth bags when shopping at supermarkets, instead of bringing home dozens of plastic bags and throwing them away, we would see significant reduction in at least that portion of the garbage entering our environment.

The Freshwater Marsh is a small, 26-acre piece of some 300+ acres of the Ballona Wetlands, but is governed by a very specific set of requirements established by several resource agencies.  The much larger area of the Ballona Wetlands, including saltmarsh habitat, is now in the hands of the State.  The timeline for restoration of this larger area is uncertain, but there are at least two management issues that need to be addressed soon, and which affect the Freshwater Marsh as well the long-term health of the saltmarsh. One issue is invasive weeds, especially pampas grass, which is strongly competitive, crowds out native plants, and reduces community diversity.  The second issue is exotic predators, especially feral cats and red fox.  These animals roam over large areas of the Ballona Wetlands, encroaching on the already limited food resources of native predatory species such as hawks, owls, and raccoons. Currently we are discussing options of exotic plant and predator control with the State.  

While we need to meet strict monitoring and reporting requirements, we also welcome visits to the Marsh by the public.  A trail is open from dawn to dusk, with parking available along Jefferson Boulevard.  All kinds of birds (and native plants, for that matter) can be seen close by in a short period of time. If you have not done so already, (or even if you have) please visit the Marsh.  There is usually something new to see every time.

For the latest list of Bird Observations at the Freshwater Marsh, click here.

**Last Updated November 2006**

Master Plant List for the Freshwater Marsh

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