Habitat types present in the wetlands include coastal prairie, coastal willow woodland, coastal shrubland, salt pannes and pools, vernal pools, and coastal urban forests. The wetlands can be roughly divided into five ecologically distinct areas: saltwater marsh (wetland fed by the ocean), freshwater marsh (wetland fed by creeks and streams), riparian corridor (creek bottomland), sand dunes and bluffs. The original extent of Ballona Wetlands likely ranged between 1,500 acres (6.1 km 2) and 2,100 acres (8.5 km 2). The preserve is bisected generally east-west by the Ballona Creek channel and bordered by the 90 Marina freeway to the east.īallona Wetlands Ecological Reserve is one of the last significant wetlands or marshes left in Los Angeles County, wetlands being 'areas that are periodically, seasonally or perennially flooded that also have specific types of vegetation.' Ballona is a 'fragile, self-sustaining bog, fed by both fresh and salt water…This and other major wetlands of the Los Angeles Basin, including Bixby Slough…have been largely filled in for urban development.' The value of Ballona is that 'wetlands teem with life and are among the earth's most productive environments.' Geography Ballona-the second-largest open space within the city limits of Los Angeles, behind Griffith Park -is owned by the state of California and managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The 577-acre (2.34 km 2) site is located in Los Angeles County, California, just south of Marina del Rey. Los Angeles County, California, United Statesģ3★7′37″N 118☂6′54″W / 33.960295°N 118.448211°W / 33.960295 -118.448211Ĭalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlifeīallona Wetlands Ecological Reserve (pronunciation: 'Bah-yo-nuh' or 'Buy-yo-nah' ) is a protected area that once served as the natural estuary for neighboring Ballona Creek. Estuary and marsh in California, United States

Ballona discovery park