The Egret Corner
July 2021 | Issue 13
A phenomenal capture of a gray-hairstreak (Strymon melinus) basically posing on Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia) leaf.
Location: Area B of the Ballona Reserve
Photo: Jonathan Coffin, edited by Lisa Rachal.
Dear Ballona Wetlands Advocates,

We hope all of you are staying safe and hydrate in the summer heat of Los Angeles!

For this month's newsletter, we are happy to introduce, for those who may not know, Gabrielle Crowe, a recently added board member to the Ballona Wetlands Lands Trust. We also would like to share an update on the sewage spill that has affected beaches north of El Segundo, how one group is teaching science outside to students, and the bird of the month which is aquatic and has a slick back hair-do.

We are also continuing to offer our environmental virtual classes for summer groups or classes (1st to 5th graders). If you know of a group or class that may be interested in our virtual class, please feel free to contact sofia@ballona.org or fill out this form.

Please enjoy the rest of the newsletter, for previous issues visit our newsletter archive. If you have any questions or concerns email lisa@ballona.org. And if you have feedback please feel out our survey below.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Sincerely,

The Ballona Wetlands Team
New Board Member:
Presenting Gabrielle Crowe
Gabrielle has immense experience and passion for outdoor and environmental education. She is a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona receiving a B.S. in Animal Science. During her time at Cal Poly Pomona, she volunteered as an Animal Educator at the Aquarium of the Pacific and worked at the Native American student center.

Later on, she started working for the Ocean Institute and stayed with them for ten years. Gabrielle was the lead Science Instructor and Outdoor Education Coordinator, taking many students snorkeling and hiking at Catalina Island. She was also the lead Naturalist at the Mary Vagle Nature Center.

Gabrielle currently resides in North San Diego County, where she enjoys trail runs, hiking, beach trips with her three children, singing, and creating art.

She looks forward to contributing her knowledge and passion for environmental education to the Ballona Wetlands Land Trust team.
To Ditch the Screen, Los Angeles Schoolchildren Escape to the Great Outdoors for In-Person Science
At-home learning has set many students behind academically particularly students of color and younger students but the Skyhook EcoVan Program is getting LAUSD students back outside at local parks to teach them about STEM education.

Local News
Swim Areas Around Dockweiler State Beach, El Segundo Beach Reopened After Sewage Spill
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Monday night announced that swim areas closed after 17 million gallons of sewage spilled into the ocean have been reopened...

News items related to the Ballona Wetlands
do not necessarily reflect the views of the Ballona Wetlands Land Trust.
Bird of the Month: Caspian Tern
Interesting Facts
The oldest Caspian Tern of record was 32 years old from Illinois in 2018, but their average lifespan is 12 years.
Habitat - worldwide, living near large bodies of water(both fresh and saltwater)

Diet - mostly fish, occasionally crustaceans and insects; can be kleptoparasites and take food from other terns

Nesting - on flat clear grounds in colonies; nests consist of pebbles, dried vegetation, shells and rocks, and other coastal or shoreline material
Photo: Rick
Facts from allaboutbirds.org
*Birds featured here have been seen at the Ballona Reserve or in the surrounding area.
Your Contributions Further Our Efforts!
Contributions collected are used to advance our efforts to advocate for the greater Ballona Wetlands ecosystem. Any contributions are greatly appreciated.
Was this newsletter useful? Help us improve with your feedback.
The Ballona Wetlands Land Trust is a non-profit community organization
dedicated to advocating for the greater Ballona Wetlands ecosystem and to facilitating access to this ecosystem for education, stewardship, and public outreach.