Ballona Wetlands

Great Egret ~ Roundray Slough ~ JCoffin

Petition Against Ballona Wetlands Project Reaches Over 8,000 "It is under threat to be bulldozed and have more than 2 million cubic yards of life-filled soils excavated, moved around and re-sculpted, as if one can play 'Frankenstein' with nature," the petition states. "This plan is for an amusement-type park that would eliminate habitat for many of the rare species that rely on Ballona today ... this is not a good use of public money that was meant for protection of wetlands..., grasslands and other fragile habitats." https://spectrumnews1.com//petition-against-ballona-wetlan

They call it the ‘most restorative,’ yet it’s the most destructive, Los Angeles attorney and executive board member of Democrats for the Protection of Animals Christina Ku said in a statement for Defend Ballona Wetlands. Our organization just wrote to the governor, asking him to withdraw this project. We urge him to stop wasting public money on something that would be tragic for animals he is supposed to protect. Defend Ballona Wetlands said the project will harm animals ...living in the reserve, including endangered species. They claim the state’s plan is motivated by bond money and private interests, including a SoCalGas gas storage facility under the wetlands. Climate Reality Project leader Molly Basler said the approved plan will not address sea level rise concerns. Their language about sea level rise is the exact opposite of our conclusions about bulldozing these fragile lands. Demolishing the levees will put habitats, roads, homes and businesses at risk, she said. https://spectrumnews1.com//some-criticize-ballona-wetlands

Beautiful Chorus Frog at Ballona Wetlands ~ photographed by Jonathan Coffin. Would not survive with high salinity ocean water and big bulldozing altering the landscape at Ballona. Please click below and see what this new plan is all about and help persuade our decision-makers that the gentle, respectful approach to protecting nature at the Ballona Wetlands is the one we ought to support. Pass this on!

CA Dept of Fish & Wildlife Director Chuck Bonham is trying to sell out our California Ecological Reserves. Tuesday, December 8, he is asking the Wildlife Conservation Board to sell out part of a reserve in San Diego to developers for luxury housing development, while the Checkerspot Butterfly would lose. He's also trying to sell out the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve on the Los Angeles coast. Please sign this petition NOW to tell the Governor it's time to ask for Bonham's resignation. And please share it with everyone you know who cares about imperiled wildlife and rare plant populations.

Outrage is growing over the misguided and cynical plan to bulldoze the Ballona Wetlands State Ecological Reserve, 640 acres that is teeming with wildlife and plants, some threatened and endangered, LA'S LAST COASTAL WETLANDS! In Defense of Animals' Virtual Town Hall hits the HUGE NEW developments: the lawsuit filed by nationally recognized environmental attorney Bryan Pease to stop this environmentally destructive boondoggle. And, Heal The Bay's new vow to stop taking money ...from SoCalGas! Green Dream Campaign's Molly Basler moderates the panel with these amazing speakers: * Bryan W. Pease, Attorney at Law * Marcia Hanscom, Ballona Institute * Rick Pine, Ballona Naturalist * Mary Beth Trautwein, Protect Playa Now * Jane Velez-Mitchell, Journalist and Author The plan, which state agencies falsely call a restoration, would do the opposite, spending 270 million dollars and 9 long years bulldozing the entire reserve, LA’s last remaining coastal wetlands and a landing spot for migratory birds. Over 40 environmental and animal welfare organizations have voiced opposition to this project. Proponents claim this restoration will provide more public access. The truth is, again, the opposite. Access is currently being denied to the public by the very entities that purport to want to provide it. There is literally a locked gate that stops taxpayers from accessing the wetlands. State agencies have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars improving an area where the public is locked out. All they have to do is unlock the gate! Instead, they want to destroy the entire reserve. If the big bulldozing project proceeds, a well-used, beloved bicycle path through the heart of the Ballona Wetlands State Ecological Reserve, would be demolished, thus removing a really important public access trail that exists today.

We have some breaking news! 5 pm today! Register here: https://bit.ly/3fo4o6R http://www.californialifehd.com//tuesday-ask-star-environ/?

A lawsuit was filed, citing misuse of $12 million in public money for planning and engineering costs for a project that the voters did not approve of. It’s not a restoration. https://patch.com//groups-challenge-restoration-plan-ballo

Have you signed this petition yet? Please do! https://www.change.org/DefendBallonaWetlands

Take action here by signing the petition to stop this catastrophy: idausa.org/saveballona Rise up against the destruction of Ballona Wetlands during this Town Hall hosted by In Defense of Animals and moderated by Molly Basler of GREEN DREAM CAMPAIGN. Key speakers include: Ethan Senser, Southern California Organizer, Food & Water Watch - California; Tony Hale, Executive Board Member of the California Democratic Party, Chair of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party; Max Gold...berg, Corresponding Secretary of the PPDC - Pacific Palisades Democratic Club; Marc Saltzberg, Executive Board Member of the West LA Democratic Club; Dorothy Reik President of the Progressive Democrats of the Santa Monica Mountains, defending Wetlands for years. Outraged by a plan to bulldoze Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve, a fast growing movement comprised of political, environmental, climate, and animal welfare orgs are mounting a campaign to stop the bulldozing of 640 acres, home to thousands of species, some threatened and endangered, LA’s last coastal wetlands. Find out more at Defend Ballona Wetlands & www.defendballonawetlands.org

Ballona Wetlands - A place where you can fall in love with Land! ~ Max Goldberg, Pacific Palisades Democratic ClubBallona Wetlands - A place where you can fall in love with Land! ~ Max Goldberg, Pacific Palisades Democratic Club

This message, from our allies who we are working with to DEFEND the Ballona Wetlands. - PLEASE SHARE! Join this interesting Town Hall mtg. tomorrow am. Grab your coffee or tea and settle in - while you hear from political leaders rising up against bulldozing Ballona Wetlands on LA's coast. Close the gas storage field. Stop the Bulldozing. Register here: https://bit.ly/2UoF3lk ... Breaking news: Outraged by a plan to bulldoze Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve, a fast growing movement comprised of political, environmental, climate, and animal welfare orgs are mounting a campaign to stop the bulldozing of 640 acres, home to thousands of species, some threatened and endangered, LA’s last coastal wetlands. Find out more at www.defendballonawetlands.org Two of the most potent democratic clubs have just overwhelmingly passed two NEW resolutions to defend Ballona Wetlands. Pacific Palisades Democratic Club is the latest to strongly voice opposition to this reckless plan. West Los Angeles Democratic Club recently joined in solidarity, supporting the closure of the Playa del Rey gas storage facility, which is the entity that would most benefit from bulldozing and excavation! Join our online Town Hall to hear the latest from local political leaders and to discover how you can help save Ballona Wetlands. Green Dream Campaign, In Defense of Animals, and Climate Reality Project co-host this online Town Hall featuring key speakers. Here's the speaker line-up: Event Host, Lisa Levinson, In Defense of Animals Panel Moderator, Molly Basler, Green Dream Campaign, Climate Reality Leader 1. Ethan Senser, Southern California Organizer, Food & Water Watch and Food & Water Action 2. Tony Hale, Executive Board Member of the California Democratic Party (& co-chair of the state party's resolutions committee), Chair of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party Resolution Committee 3. Max Goldberg, Corresponding Secretary of the Pacific Palisades Democratic Club 4. Marc Saltzberg, Executive Board Member of the West LA Democratic Club 5. Dorothy Reik President of the Progressive Democrats of the Santa Monica Mountains, defending Wetlands for years. Be sure to register to get the Zoom link to join our Town Hall: https://bit.ly/2UoF3lk

Please sign this petition to Governor Newsom. https://www.change.org/DefendBallonaWetlands

Canada Goose enjoying March Miracle rains at the Ballona Wetlands. Photo by Jonathan Coffin.

Please sign this petition to Governor Newsom to help protect the Ballona Wetlands. http://chng.it/qYQ8BPdz

Great article in the Culver City News about the proposed plans for Ballona Wetlands: Ballona Wetland Conservation supporters slam restoration project ~ (& reveal gas storage facility connections!) Seeing a future where wildlife habitat is harmed, Ballona Wetlands supporters call recent Environmental Impact Report a lump of coal on Christmas Eve... Please read this entire article and share it! https://www.culvercitynews.org/ballona-wetland-conservation