Ecology and Conservation
The historic wetland complex at the mouth of Ballona Creek probably occupied about 2000 acres. Although much of it was drained and developed, much of it is now protected. The State of California owns 600 acres of the former wetlands, the CDFG owns 540 acres, and the State Lands Commission owns 60 acres, including a newly created freshwater marsh. Much of these preserved lands are designated as the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve and despite historic degradation, conditions are improving. Wetland flora includes pickleweed, marsh heather, saltgrass, arrowgrass and glasswort, and a variety of upland and exotic species including brome, iceplant, oxalis, and ryegrass. Bird species of special interest observed in the reserve include nesting pairs of Belding’s Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus rostratus/sandwichensis beldingi) and foraging use by California Least Terns (Sterna antillarum browni).
Read more about this topic: Ballona Creek
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