Who We Are

Staff

Otella Wruck - Executive Director
310/306-5994

Kelly Rose - Programs Director
Middle School, High School, and University Education.
310/739-8613

Maggie Bourque - WOW Coordinator
Kindergarten - Grade 3 Education
310/306-0031

Audubon Education Program

Mary Anderson - Grades 4 and 5
310/399-0188

Board of Directors

Click here to see our Board of Directors.

Community Environment Monitoring

We sued the California Coastal Commision and fought a long legal battle with Playa Vista developers which resulted in a historic settlement agreement to protect the wetlands.
We urge elected officials at all levels of government to support wetland protection, not only at Ballona, but throughout the nation. We have been monitoring and informing local politicians and regulatory agencies since 1978
We continue our efforts to protect the wetlands through media outreach and appearances at many forums throughout the greater Los Angeles area, educating the public about the importance of Ballona and our plans for restoration
As members of the Ballona Wetlands Foundation, an organization mandated to oversee the full restoration of the Ballona Wetlands, we work directly with the landowner and the 6th District Councilman's Office to ensure our legal needs are being met.

Environmental Education

Every year we sponsor education programs, targeting both school children and adults about the importance of the Ballona Wetlands and their much-needed restoration. In conjunction with the National Audubon Society, since 1994 we have sponsored more than 25,000 volunteers of all ages and from all over Los Angeles, bringing them to Ballona and teaching them about wetland ecology, while giving hands-on experience in restoring this crucial habitat.
The Boys and Girls Scouts of America, chruches, synagogues, YMCA, veterans' organizations, public and private schools are just some of the community groups involved with educational tours and walks at the wetlands.
In order to target under-served and inner-city schools of Los Angeles, in 1997 we received a $25,000 grant from the Urban Resources Partnership (a $10,000 increase since 1996).
On January 22, 1998, we were awarded a $9,000 grant from the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project, to implement our "Neighbor to Neighbor" program. This program targest local residents, educating them about the wetlands through extensive nature discovery walks led by our knowledgeable naturalists and dedicated docents.
We have recruited, trained, and supported volunteers to be restoration leaders and docents.
We have consistently educated our members by publishing detained, quarterly newsletters that update readers on the progress of the restoration and other wetland issues.
We educate the public about the plants and wildlife living at Ballona through our informative website.

Wetland Restoration/
Natural Habitat Enhancement

As part of our restoration activities we recruit school children, scouts, religious groups, public service organizations, corporate employee groups, college and university groups, and many others from all over Los Angeles to help with our restoration of the Ballona Dunes and Wetlands.
Since 1996, we have removed more than 2,000 40-gallon trash bags with Styrofoam and other litter from the salt marsh and the Ballona Creek berm.
We pulled out iceplant, a non-native harmful species, filling 30 trash dumbsters (40 cubic yards each) and removing almost 75% of the iceplant from the dunes area since 1996.
We have planted more than 600 native plants since 1996, and removed more than 150 non-native trees (Myoporum and Castor Bean).
We have planted 125 nature tress (arroyo Willow) since 1996.
We evauluated recycling solutions for our on-site classroom.
Every year we participate in Coastal Cleanup Day at the wetland.
We host a major Earth Day event to remove trash, debris, and invasive plants.
Future volunteer restoration plans include: planting more native plants while eradicating weeds and non-natives, establishing a shade cloth plant nursery, creating a kiosk, establishing a donor program and demonstration garden, collecting and sowing seeds.

For more information, please contact: