Description: This month, students were eager to share drawings of their favorite things after the Ballona Wetlands Watershed Presentation. Here is a photo of 3 of those drawings and our educators Lisa and Sofia.
Location: Zoom
Photo: Lisa Rachal
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Dear Ballona Wetlands Advocates,
We hope you all had a joyous holiday with people you hold dear. In this month's newsletter, we are sharing a screenshot from a recent Ballona Nature Class session, an indigenous chef that is making more people think about native cuisine, a brief advocacy update about owl habitat that your support has helped to protect, and the bird of the month, hint: it's the state bird for 6 states.
Project Updates:
- We are looking into resuming tabling at events and we will be sure to update our website and social media on where to find us.
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Nature Classes through Zoom have been wonderful and we are glad that we have been able to continue to connect with elementary students about the Ballona Watershed. If you know a class or group that would be interested, please feel free to contact sofia@ballona.org or fill out this form.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Sincerely,
The Ballona Wetlands Team
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Diversity in the Field: Presenting Sean Sherman
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In this segment, we aim to support diversity by showcasing people currently underrepresented in environmental fields, working to improve the environment and/or people's access to natural spaces. We hope to provide representation for people who might not see themselves in these fields and inspire ways to be more inclusive. |
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This month we are showcasing Sean Sherman, Founder and CEO Chef of The Sioux Chef. This may not seem like the conventional candidate. However, as a chef that focuses on Indigenous cuisine, he has studied Native American farming, harvesting, and land management techniques. These practices have sustained the land and native people for thousands of years. Practices that should be more incorporated for us to have a sustainable future.
Check out his enlightening TedTalk to understand why there aren't more Native American restaurants? And why it's important.
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Thanks to your support, the California Coastal Commission is requiring additional analysis before allowing the removal of several palm trees on the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve. These trees provide habitat for Barn Owls (Tyto alba) and other native birds. Although this was the result of a time-consuming and expensive effort on our part, we could not have undertaken this suit without donations from our supporters. Read more about this process and how supporters like you have helped on our page.
Please consider increasing your support this year so that we can continue to advocate for this ecosystem in 2022.
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These are some of the palm trees that were planned to be removed. Two trees on the left are Mexican Fan Palm trees and the two in the right are Canary Island Date Palm trees in Area B the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve (the reserve). Owl pellets can almost always be observed below these trees, where at least one Barn Owl is known to eat its meals at night and roost during the day. |
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Barn Owl flying out of the palms trees that were going to be removed. Barn owls like the protection afforded by the structure of palm trees. Hooded Orioles and other native birds also use these trees. The question of whether to keep them or remove them is complex. Photo: Sandy Blair |
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A Barn Owl perched on Canary Island Date Palm leaves in another area of the reserve. While we generally support removal of non-native weeds in favor of native habitat, the removal of mature non-native trees requires careful analysis. Photo: Jonathan Coffin |
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This November 30th is the 10th anniversary of GivingTuesday, the celebration of generosity!
People around the world are encouraged to take the day to give time, resources, or money to support a cause, issue, individual, or organization that could use your help, like the Ballona Wetlands Land Trust.
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Bird of the Month: Western Meadowlark
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Birds featured here have been seen at the Ballona Reserve or in the surrounding area. |
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"The Western Meadowlark is the state bird of six states: Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, and Wyoming. Only the Northern Cardinal is a more popular civic symbol, edging out the meadowlark by one state." |
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Habitat: Western North American grasslands
Diet: grain, weed seeds and ground insects, occasionally other bird eggs or roadkill during harsher winters
Nesting: nests are on the ground in shallow depressions that are partially or completely covered with grasses; some nests which are completely covered may have a tunnel several feet long.
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Your Contributions Further Our Efforts! |
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Contributions collected are used to advance our efforts to advocate for the greater Ballona Wetlands ecosystem. Any contributions are greatly appreciated. |
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Was this newsletter useful? Help us improve with your feedback. |
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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.
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