Friends of Ballona Wetlands (FBW) is a California non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1978 by a small group of friends, scientists and neighbors who recognized the environmental value of Los Angeles County's last remaining tidal ecosystem. The organization is dedicated to preserving and protecting the Ballona Wetlands through stewardship[1] and educating the public. The FBW partners with the California Coastal Conservancy and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).[2] The FBW also partners with faculty and staff from a Catholic college, Loyola Marymount University (LMU), and with Heal The Bay. The FBW was founded in 1978, and legally continued their access in 2003, when the CDFW acquired the private Ballona Wetlands.[3] Public access improved when the Ballona Wetlands became public land.

History

Led by founding President Ruth Lansford, in 1978, Friends of Ballona Wetlands filed a lawsuit against landowner Summa Corporation, heirs to the Howard Hughes estate which owned the 1,067 acres of wetland habitat. Of the historically designated 2,000 acres of wetland habitat, more than 900 acres were destroyed in the 1960s with the construction of Marina del Rey. The Friends' lawsuit halted plans for a massive real estate development. Their decades long battle ultimately saved the Ballona Wetlands from destruction when in 2005 it was declared a California State Ecological Reserve.

Activities

The Friends' activities include providing input at government hearings,[4][5] commenting on a wetlands restoration project,[6][7] participating in science and research symposium,[8] supporting the former Native American Indigenous cemetery at Ballona Discovery Park in the Playa Vista mixed-used development below the bluff of LMU,[9][10] taking legal action protecting the wetlands,[11] and formerly worked in the past with Marina DeBris, now in Australia, who developed an art-inspired educational event about pollution.[12]

The FBW formerly partnered with Otis College of Art and Design,[13] as part of an Integrated Learning project in which students and faculty from many different departments worked with local organizations on various community projects.[14]

References

  1. ↑ "Friends of Ballona Wetlands receives $30,000 grant from Southern California Edison". The Argonaut. 2010-09-09. Retrieved 2013-02-17.
  2. ↑ They receive grant to aid in education, restoration. Hometown News, October 2012, page 8. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  3. ↑ Garcia, Irma. "SAVING THE BALLONA WETLANDS". Interdisciplinary Minor in Global Sustainability Senior Seminar (Instructor: Peter A. Bowler) University of California, Irvine. Retrieved 2013-02-17.
  4. ↑ Fimiani, Lisa. "comment on a Draft Vector Control Permit" (PDF). California Environmental Protection Agency, State Water Resources Control Board. Retrieved 2013-02-17.
  5. ↑ "Response to Comments on the Total Maximum Daily Loads for Ballona Creek Wetlands" (PDF). Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved 2013-02-17.
  6. ↑ Barboza, Tony. "California OKs $6.5 million to plan Ballona Wetlands restoration". LA Times. Retrieved 2013-02-17.
  7. ↑ Jao, Carron (2013-02-13). "Controversial Ballona Wetlands Plan Welcomes Public Comment". KCET Public Television Station. Retrieved 2013-02-17.
  8. ↑ "Ballona Wetlands Science and Research Symposium Proceedings" (PDF). Bay Restoration Foundation. Retrieved 2013-02-17.
  9. ↑ "LMU Celebrates Opening of Ballona Discovery Park in Playa Vista". The Buzz: University News. 2011-08-25. Archived from the original on 2015-02-27. Retrieved 2013-02-17.
  10. ↑ "Ballona Discovery Park". Loyola Marymount University. Retrieved 2013-02-17.
  11. ↑ "California Coastal Commission, Application number 5-98-164" (PDF). California Coastal Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 July 2010. Retrieved 2013-02-17.
  12. ↑ Alvez, Christian. "Earth Day Report: Springtime Restoration & Creek Cleanup at Ballona". Friends of Ballona Wetlands. Retrieved 2013-02-17.
  13. ↑ "Community Partners". Otis College of Arts and Design. Archived from the original on 2013-01-31. Retrieved 2013-02-18.
  14. ↑ "Creative Action: An Integrated Learning Program". Otis College of Arts and Design. Retrieved 2013-02-18.
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