On a cool May morning, the Ballona Wetlands on L.A.’s Westside present a stark juxtaposition of beauty and struggle. This ecological reserve, bordered by Marina del Rey, Playa Vista, and Playa del Rey, is the largest remaining coastal wetland in Los Angeles County and the second-largest open space in the city, surpassed only by Griffith Park. Yet, its serenity is marred by an ongoing battle for restoration and preservation.
Once a sprawling expanse of sand dunes and wetlands, this area thrived with diverse flora and fauna. It was home to the Tongva tribes for thousands of years before significant ecological losses began in the 1820s. The rancher Augustin Machado settled here with his cattle ranch known as “Rancho La Ballona.” Post the Mexican-American War, white settlers expanded upon this damage, leading to extensive development, notably in the mid-20th century, which saw the transformation of much of the wetlands into the residential and commercial area of Marina del Rey.
Despite being designated as an ecological reserve nearly 20 years ago, the wetlands’ restoration remains uncertain, exemplifying one of Southern California’s most enduring environmental conflicts. Public access to this vital space is limited, leaving advocates worried about the future of this habitat.
Scott Culbertson, executive director of Friends of Ballona Wetlands, highlighted the urgent need for preservation. “In the city of Los Angeles, we’ve lost 95% of our coastal wetlands. This is it. This is the last one we have. It needs to be restored,” he emphasized.
Restoring wetlands is crucial not only for biodiversity but also for combating climate change. Healthy wetlands act as natural carbon sinks and serve as barriers against flooding for coastal communities. With the repercussions of climate change accelerating, the calls for safeguarding these critical ecosystems have never been more pronounced.
Yet, the journey toward restoration involves navigating a complex historical and ecological landscape. The wetlands, once vibrant and teeming with life, now contend with invasive species, particularly the aggressive yellow mustard grass. Walter Lamb, president of the Ballona Wetlands Land Trust, remarked on the overwhelming sight of these invasive weeds: “You look out and you see all these invasive weeds, just a huge field of mustard.”
Amid this green sea of invasives, native plants still struggle to survive. Lamb pointed to the alkali heath, a salt-tolerant shrub that glistens in the sunlight due to its unique adaptation to the saline environment. Yet, right next to it, invasive plants like euphorbia terracina thrive, undermining the ecosystem’s balance.
Local nonprofits, including Friends of Ballona Wetlands and the Ballona Wetlands Land Trust, are working diligently to combat these invasive species. Their efforts reflect the urgency and complexity of the restoration project, which raises contentious debates about how best to revive the wetland.
The definition of restoration itself remains hotly contested. Removing invasive plants could disrupt nesting birds, while fully restoring the wetland to its original state may involve extensive bulldozing and dredging, endangering native species in the process.
Erinn Wilson-Olgin, regional manager for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, acknowledged the challenges that these controversies create. “There’s always some objection to whatever anyone does in Ballona,” she stated. “It’s not uncommon for these projects to take a really long time to get done because of opposition and different opinions.”
Historical precedence shows that wetland restoration is a long-term endeavor. For example, Bolsa Chica in Orange County took decades to restore and still requires ongoing maintenance. Despite initial estimates in 2004 that outlined a three-year planning timeframe for Ballona’s restoration at around $2 million, the project is still awaiting concrete timelines and funding.
As of 2025, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has invested approximately $15 million into the planning phase alone. The projected costs for comprehensive restoration have escalated to over $200 million, raising further concerns among conservationists.
Walter Lamb expressed skepticism over the feasibility of the project, stating, “We see no credible path for this project ever being built.” His organization, alongside others, has engaged in legal action pertinent to the wetlands, aimed at pushing for a more sustainable restoration approach.
In a recent ruling, a judge favored Lamb’s group, criticizing state plans for insufficient consideration of flood risks related to climate change. This ruling prompts state officials to revise the environmental impact report to incorporate these vital flood impact considerations.
Lamb and allied organizations advocate for a revision of current restoration strategies to prioritize manageable projects that enhance mitigation measures against sea level rise. They express concerns over plans to dredge certain areas of the wetlands, fearing it could jeopardize existing wildlife reliant on specific ecological conditions.
On the other hand, proponents of the current plan argue that further delays could impede essential restoration efforts. Scott Culbertson of Friends of Ballona Wetlands asserts that scientific consensus already backs the necessity of the established restoration plans. He cautioned against unnecessary litigation, stating, “The science issue is settled. The courts have, even under appeal, determined that the science is solid. There’s no more suing on the science.”
As both sides of the debate prepare for the future, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife indicates hopes of securing funding to enhance the environmental impact report and circulate it for public comment in the coming years. Should these plans finally receive approval, the restoration of the Ballona Wetlands will likely extend over many years.
The fate of the Ballona Wetlands stands as a testament to the challenges faced in environmental activism, where the stakes hinge on both ecological balance and community interests. As invasive species continue to threaten this vital habitat, the urgency for a comprehensive restorative action intensifies, underscoring the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to ensure a sustainable future for this crucial ecosystem.
image source from：laist
