Playa Del Rey Habitat Restoration project

This project will maximize the impact of habitat restoration along Ballona Creek by training six inner-city youth in native plant identification, habitat restoration, and nursery operations; engaging the community through twelve volunteer events and educational opportunities; propagating more than 1000 native plants from Ballona Wetlands seed stock; and developing innovative techniques to maximize native plant propagation that will act as a model for future restoration projects. The project will host ten monthly community-based volunteer events to provide training and hands-on experience for more than 250 local volunteers and students. Volunteers will learn native plant identification characteristics, the benefits of drought tolerant plants, and wetland ecology and habitat restoration techniques. In addition, the project lead will provide opportunities for two corporate volunteer events. The goal of the regular volunteer events is to foster a sense of community ownership that will ensure the expansion and longevity of the restoration project.