Technical Memorandum: Patterns of Vehicle-Based Vertebrate Mortality in the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve

Over the past decade, concerned stakeholders anecdotally noticed a high frequency of animal kills along the major roadways adjacent to the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve (“BWER” or “Reserve”) (L. Fimiani, personal communication, 2011). This memorandum was developed to quantify the vertebrate mortality along Reserve-adjacent roadways. Additionally, it will provide information and data to the ongoing… Continue reading Technical Memorandum: Patterns of Vehicle-Based Vertebrate Mortality in the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve

Technical Memorandum: Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve Vegetation Alliance and Habitat Crosswalk

This document serves as a reference for a vegetation alliance and association to habitat crosswalk at an impacted and degraded salt marsh system in Los Angeles County. Surveys were conducted at the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve (BWER) by The Bay Foundation (I. Medel and team) from May – October 2013 in accordance with methods created… Continue reading Technical Memorandum: Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve Vegetation Alliance and Habitat Crosswalk

A Regional Survey of the Extent and Magnitude of Eutrophication in Mediterranean Estuaries of Southern California, USA

(Abstract) The magnitude and extent of eutrophication was assessed at 27 segments in 23 estuaries in the Southern California Bight (SCB) between October 2008 and 2009. We applied thresholds from the existing assessment frameworks from both the European Union and the U.S. National Eutrophication Assessment to measurements of three indicators [macroalgae biomass and cover, phytoplankton… Continue reading A Regional Survey of the Extent and Magnitude of Eutrophication in Mediterranean Estuaries of Southern California, USA

The Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve Baseline Assessment Program 2010-2011 Final Report

In September 2011, the SMBRC completed the second year of baseline assessment surveys at the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve (BWER). The comprehensive surveys were developed in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Game and the California State Coastal Conservancy to assess the condition of the BWER and inform the state’s wetlands restoration planning.… Continue reading The Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve Baseline Assessment Program 2010-2011 Final Report

Ballona Community Iceplant Removal Project

The Bay Foundation (TBF), in partnership with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Friends of Ballona Wetlands (FBW), and community volunteers, is conducting a project to remove invasive vegetation while broadening public involvement and stewardship at the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve (Reserve). The project focuses on the removal of iceplant and other non-native species… Continue reading Ballona Community Iceplant Removal Project

Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve

A significant portion of the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve (Reserve)—once home to abundant fish and waterfowl—was filled in to build Ballona Creek in the 1930s and Marina del Rey in the 1950s and 60s.  Invasive plants, such as iceplant and other non-native vegetation not native to Southern California, have taken over much of the Reserve,… Continue reading Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve

Fish Barrier Removal Projects

Roughly 80-95% of southern steelhead trout have lost their historical habitat ranges due to damming and other human impacts. Obstacles such as dams block access to fish spawning and rearing habitats and can severely impact natural stream functions and hydrology. Barriers in streams and rivers are major challenges to the recovery of endangered steelhead trout… Continue reading Fish Barrier Removal Projects

Malibu Lagoon Restoration

Malibu Lagoon is a 31-acre shallow water estuary occurring at the terminus of the Malibu Creek Watershed, the second largest watershed draining into Santa Monica Bay. The lagoon is fed by fresh water from Malibu Creek and other sources. Periodically the lagoon breaches, cutting through the berm, opening the lagoon to ocean water from the… Continue reading Malibu Lagoon Restoration

Other Stream and Wetland Projects

These projects and programs conducted by The Bay Foundation (TBF), along with our many partners, have helped to restore ecosystems while generating valuable information that supports regional wetland management.