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“When we share photos and our experiences obtaining them, we hope to spark enthusiasm in others.”
– Docent Susan Levinson, Nature Walk for Photographers
Dear Friend of the Friends,
I am so proud of all the beautiful Friends, their generosity and love for this wildlife haven in the city.
How lucky we are that Ballona survived all the years of booming development surrounding it. I’m sure Howard Hughes didn’t know or care about the flourishing wildlife living below him as he zoomed overhead. But he owned Ballona and his need for open space for his experimental aircraft kept it undeveloped. (It was once estimated that all but 80 acres of Ballona were developable.) So thanks, Howard!
And thanks to the Endangered Species Act and to the endangered Least Tern for nesting at Ballona at just the right time and to Beldings Savannah sparrow for sticking around. And to all the avian visitors who drop by each year. And to the El Segundo Blue Butterfly that chooses to honeymoon at Ballona. And to the good old oozy mud that saved what’s now the freshwater marsh from salivating developers when the Coastal Commissioners came to visit and muddied up their shoes. And to all the fish and birds and mammals and invertebrates and plants; all the living things that’ve made Ballona their home.
And thanks to people who care.
Ruth Lansford
Founder
Help us continue the important work that Ruth started 46 years ago.
All Roads Lead (Back) To Ballona
By Patrick Tyrrell, Manager of Habitat Restoration and Upper Education
This fall, FBW welcomed two familiar faces to our habitat restoration team! Mina Bedogne (right) and Samantha Perez (left), former interns, have returned as fellows with the California Climate Action Corps (CCAC) for a year-long term. With focuses on volunteerism, wildfire resilience, and urban greening, these two are bringing their unique talents and passion for climate action back to Ballona where their environmental journeys began. Please join us in welcoming Mina and Samantha!
Mina is a committed environmental steward passionate about exploring the intersection of science and society. While earning a B.S. in Environmental Science and Management from UC Davis, Mina worked on projects with the university’s Arboretum, Public Garden, and the US Forest Service. Her previous role as a CivicSpark-AmeriCorps Fellow in Beverly Hills saw her leading outreach efforts for waste management, climate action, and water conservation initiatives.
Samantha grew up exploring LA’s parks and beaches with her family, which inspired her love for green spaces. Her family’s gardening business furthered her appreciation for plants, especially in the context of climate change. At UCLA, where she earned her degree in Geography and Environmental Studies, Samantha worked as a student teacher and developed a passion for native plants and their role in mitigating wildfires and supporting local ecosystems.
When asked about coming back to the Friends, Samantha explains, “As a kid, I remember hearing about the drought and wildfires on the news and began to develop climate anxiety. I got advice from a mentor to look at what I'm passionate about and begin taking action there. I love native plants and education, and working with Friends of Ballona Wetlands has allowed me to combine my passions for learning and sharing about stewardship in our community.”
Mina adds, “Every day brings something new and exciting at the Ballona Wetlands. From fieldwork and field trips to data collection and impact reporting, I love engaging in various aspects of natural resource management at the Ecological Reserve and beyond. More than anything, I am proud that my work leaves a tangible impact on the local ecosystem and nearby communities.”
In their first two months, our fellows have already immersed themselves in habitat restoration projects, engaging with students and volunteers, propagating native plants for the upcoming planting season, and helping with maintenance projects at Ballona Discovery Park. This spring, they’ll be leading monthly volunteer events at the Freshwater Marsh, expanding the opportunities for community involvement and welcoming others to the place that first inspired them.
With both Mina and Samantha returning to Ballona as CCAC fellows, their paths have come full circle. We are so proud and excited to see them tackle global challenges on their home turf, bringing new energy and vision to the wetlands they’ve long called their “home away from home.”
Jefferson Trail Reopening
By Scott Culbertson, Executive Director
As many of you know, we’ve spent the last year rehabilitating the Jefferson Trail, a quarter-mile trail adjacent to the Ballona Freshwater Marsh at Jefferson Blvd. While we could dwell on the damage caused by the large RV encampment that prompted this project, what stands out is how our community came together to repair this beautiful stretch of the marsh.
In December 2023, more than 100 community members joined us to plant 1,000 native plants - buckwheats, sages, toyons, and sunflowers - that will bloom for years to come. Since then, we’ve replaced the wood fencing, laid down fresh wood chips, and installed a new wildlife viewing platform. Volunteers from our Grow Native! Gardening Club, along with interns, community groups, corporate volunteers, Councilwoman Traci Park and her team, and others helped us keep this project thriving.
Now, we’re thrilled to announce that the Jefferson Trail has reopened to the public! The trail is now open every day from sunrise to sunset. We can’t wait to see you back on the trail enjoying this beautiful space.
We invite you to go for a walk, or sign up for one of our docent-led tours!
Volunteers Make A Difference!
By Samaya Rubio, Manager of Communications and Community Engagement
“I felt a void in me and then coming here… it cleans my mind and I feel more completed as a person.”
- Yuni L. Amey
Our work at the Friends of Ballona Wetlands is only possible with the support of amazing volunteers like this year’s Volunteer of the Year, Yuni L. Amey!
Back in the fall of 2019, Yuni was reading on a bench at Ballona Discovery Park when Lisa Fimiani, a Friends of Ballona Wetlands board member, invited her to volunteer. Since then, Yuni has spent every other Tuesday at the Grow Native! Gardening Club in Ballona Discovery Park, helping maintain this beautiful place for the community.
Yuni felt that, as a “country girl,” something was missing from her life when she moved to the US from Korea and began living in an apartment in Mar Vista. By volunteering at Ballona Discovery Park, Yuni felt complete for the first time since her move.
When asked what her favorite things about volunteering are, Yuni shared:
”Teamwork is good, the people are friendly. I know I’m always welcomed, highly appreciated, and complimented. That’s wonderful.
I also know this park is used for education purposes and commemorates the local Tongva tribe. To me, not knowing much about American culture, that gives me a window to look into what has been going on in the town where I live.”
Thank you so much for your dedication, Yuni! We couldn’t host field trips, public tours, and special events at Ballona Discovery Park without the support of volunteers like you!
You can be a volunteer too! Find out how.
A Historic Nesting
by Olivia Jenkins, Manager of Scientific Programs
Photography by Dean Schaff
What is more often heard than seen and made history by nesting in the Freshwater Marsh for the first time in our survey records? If you guessed the Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola), you’re correct! Known for its secretive nature and preference for dense vegetation, this agile marsh dweller has stumped scientists for decades.
In July, volunteer bird surveyors detected distinct grunt calls echoing through the marsh, hinting at nesting activity. By August, the excitement grew as they observed a family group communicating in contact calls among the thick reeds and bulrushes, confirming that these elusive birds had successfully bred, raising at least one offspring.
The Virginia Rail’s nesting at Ballona is an excellent indicator of improved ecosystem health. Given the location of the nest away from public trails, this milestone underscores the crucial role of minimal human disturbance in preserving biodiversity.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there—Cinnamon Teal chicks were also observed at the freshwater marsh for the first time in seven years, and many special status species continued nesting there in 2024: the Federally Threatened California Gnatcatcher, the Federally Endangered Least Bell’s Vireo, and two California Species of Special Concern, the Yellow-breasted Chat and the Least Bittern.
As we celebrate these remarkable achievements, we hold hope for the continued recovery and flourishing of our vital wetland ecosystems.
Students of All Ages
by Ammy Rojas, Environmental Education Coordinator
“Do we get to try pickleweed again?!” Our education team hears this question a lot at Explore Ballona!® Partner Schools where students return each year for a new field trip. At partner school Magnolia Avenue Elementary, this past year we welcomed 500 kindergarten through 5th grade students on field trips. But the experience resonates with more than students. As our staff were at the recent Back to School Night, parents shared their own stories from, “I chaperoned my son's field trip in 1st grade and we loved it!” to, “Will there ever be a field trip for the parents?” Indeed, we did host a field trip for Magnolia families during Latino Conservation Week (check out the next article).
We are proud to be a part of the Magnolia community year after year and help students of all ages enjoy and better understand Ballona Wetlands. As we look to continue our partnership, as the students of Magnolia say after every field trip, “See you next year!”
KCRW covered the Explore Ballona!® Environmental Education Program’s field trips.
Click here to read or listen!
Latino Conservation Week
By Xiomara Limon, Environmental Education Coordinator
On September 14th, we celebrated our first (and hopefully annual) Latino Conservation Week Celebration! With the support and funding of the Hispanic Access Foundation, this event encouraged our local Latino communities to go outdoors by providing them with fun recreational activities that all families enjoyed.
More than 100 people from all over Los Angeles participated in the event! We welcomed the public and partnered with the Bresee Foundation and Magnolia Avenue Elementary School to provide free transportation for their families to Ballona Discovery Park. We hosted a variety of activities, including a raptor show, native seed planting, wetlands-themed piñatas, a bilingual guided tour, and much more. These activities educated our community about the wetlands and the amazing wildlife found within. With the support of the Los Angeles Public Library and AARP we were able to provide our participants bilingual resources on how to appreciate the outdoors. And they enjoyed a delicious lunch provided by Señor G’s.
Our families went home with a bag full of candy, their faces beautifully painted, and a newfound love for our wetlands.
