Protectors

Pickleweed (Salicornia virginica).  Photo by Andy Hall.

Friends of Ballona Wetlands has managed to save the wetlands and protect an extra 150 acres, creating a total of 340 acres of restored habitat.  This is an extraordinary accomplishment that will benefit the ecology and biodiversity of the area, as well as improving the quality of life for surrounding communities.

Since the Ballona Wetlands exist on private property, it is important to realize that for over 22 years the Friends have fought to save an area that has severe limitations on enforceable legal protection.  Never giving up our goals of seeing the wetlands fully restores, we negotiated with the landowner and finally achieved a landmark settlement agreement.

Our legal settlement provides more than $13 million from the landowner for the complete restoration of 190 acres of salt marsh, a 34-acre freshwater marsh and a 25-acre riparian corridor, plus 99 acres of dunes and uplands and 12 acres of bluff face.  What does this mean for the birds and wildlife that need the Ballona Wetlands for survival?  It means they will have access to a restored, more diverse habitat.  It means many birds and animals native to Southern California wetlands will return to Ballona, able to feed and rest in a contiguous, natural habitat.  And, it means that Ballona can resume functioning as a health ecosystem, much needed after so many years of degradation and abuse.

As protectors of Ballona, we are members of the Ballona Wetlands Foundation along with representatives of the 6th District Council Office and the landowner.  Because of our strong settlement agreement, we have been able to participate fully in restoration planning, utilizing our own consultants and the input of other major environmental organizations.

The Friends have a long history of devotion to their mission of Protecting and restoring the Ballona Wetlands.  Over the years, we have won major battles against multi-million dollar corporations and government agencies. Now, at long last, we see a future where our goals can be achieved.  We are proud that we have never given up, never wavering in out determination.  We will continue in our role as protectors of the Ballona Wetlands, until they are fully restored as the environmental jewel of Los Angeles.

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