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Ballona
Wetlands Volunteer
The Program Since 1994, Friends of Ballona Wetlands has sponsored an award-winning Volunteer Restoration Program, which has sponsored over 50,000 volunteers from schools and community groups from all over Los Angeles to help learn about and restore this important threatened wetland habitat. With the passionate leadership of Program Director Kelly Rose, the dune restoration program has created significant improvements in habitat diversity in the dunes at the western edge of the Ballona Wetlands. Removing exotic, noxious plant species We remove iceplant (native to South Africa), as well as castor bean plants (native to Africa), and Myoporum bushes and trees* (native to New Zealand). Currently native arroyo willow trees, western sycamores, and a cottonwood tree are thriving where some of these harmful Myoporum once stood. *It is important to realize that not every invasive tree can be removed just yet. Many of these trees have become the ONLY available nesting sites for herons, egrets, and other species that live near the marsh. It may be many years before our young native species grow large enough to provide adequate cover for the birds, so for now at least, some non-native trees will stay. Planting Native Dune Species In addition to the removal of exotic weeds, volunteers plant native dune species. One such species is the dune buckwheat. The dune buckwheat is critical to this habitat, because it is home to the endangered El Segundo blue butterfly, which we are trying to entice to return to Ballona permanently. Several other species of butterflies have been seen in the Ballona Dunes, namely the Acmon blue, the Marine blue, Virgina lady and the Buckeye. These butterflies contribute greatly to species diversity in this area. Butterflies and recovering plants are not all that has been seen in the dunes. The beefly, an insect that resembles a cross between a common housefly and a bumblebee, has been a regular visitor. The beefly is extremely important to this ecosystem, because it helps pollinate native plants and helps compete against harmful, non-native vegetation that our program works to eradicate. Other Projects Our program has achieved other major goals in the wetlands. The Eagle Scouts, long-time volunteers, completed several projects that benefit not only the wetlands, but also serve as an invaluable environmental education tool for the public. If you're interested in Volunteer Restoration Work, CLICK HERE for our Calendar of Events. Restoration Parties are on the Fourth Saturday of every Month! Bring a Friend! Or contact our Programs Director, Kelly Rose: Home
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