The Ballona Watershed Flows South From Mullholland Drive

Since even before the late 1980’s the public has been keenly devoted to the protection and restoration of Ballona Wetlands, here in Los Angeles. Hundreds of visionary volunteers have given up blocks of their lifetimes to work in the most extraordinary David and Goliath battle defending a steadfast goal to protect and preserve for all of America --a vanishing peace and wonderment found in this remnant, endangered ecosystem.Storm Drain System in the Ballona Watershed . . .

A web of underground storm drains daylight at Cochran and Venice Avenues. This storm water flows into a concrete channel known as Ballona Creek. At various points along the channel other concrete tributaries spill into Ballona Creek eventually it arrives at the Santa Monica Bay. Many people know this channel as the Ballona Bike Path.

The Wildlife Corridor. . .

Ballona is the heart of the wildlife corridor that stretches from the inland Baldwin Hills winding along Ballona Creek into the Ballona Wetlands and merging with Ballona Lagoon Marine Preserve and the Santa Monica Bay.  The beaches that include the endangered Least Tern sanctuary stretch south to the Palos Verdes peninsula and north to the Santa Monica Mountains parkland.  All of these acquired areas exist due to the persistence of like-minded, hard working people who know that we have a responsibility to the earth and the survival of other species.  By setting aside these areas we not only provide for human well being but, also provide for economic growth via ecotourism, wetland restoration jobs and educational opportunities.
 

Since even before the late 1980’s the public has been keenly devoted to the protection and restoration of Ballona Wetlands, here in Los Angeles. Hundreds of visionary volunteers have given up blocks of their lifetimes to work in the most extraordinary David and Goliath battle defending a steadfast goal to protect and preserve for all of America --a vanishing peace and wonderment found in this remnant, endangered ecosystem.

 “In San Francisco, a state official suggests, ‘If the developer across the table has a lawyer sitting next to him, then it’s a wetland. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have his lawyer with him.’ ”  
    Peter Steinhart
         TRACKS IN
              THE SKY