The Egret Corner
October 2020 | Issue 4
A Honey-tailed Striped-Sweat bee on a coyote brush bud gall in Area B of the Ballona Wetlands.
Photo by Jonathan Coffin, edited by Lisa Rachal.
Dear Ballona Wetlands Advocates,

Fall is in full swing! On this month's issue, we have some important news to share:

  • Governor Newsom released executive order N-82-20 to fight climate change, conserve biodiversity, and improve climate resilience.

  • Information about the California fires, and how to be prepared.

  • We also have the spotlight on an internationally esteemed engineer and innovator.

As for current projects/ programs, here are the updates:

  • As part of our education and outreach program, we have started our online nature presentation for elementary students. View below for more information.

Please enjoy the rest of the newsletter, for previous issues visit our website. If you have any questions or concerns email lisa@ballona.org.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

The Ballona Wetlands Team
News
On Oct 07,2020, Governor Newsom released an executive order for the California climate agenda, where California combats the climate and biodiversity crisis by:

  1. Establishing the California Biodiversity Collaborative
  2. Supporting global efforts, and pledging to conserve 30% of the land and coastal water by 2030
  3. Increasing efforts to conserve biodiversity (California Natural Resource Agency)
  4. Increasing efforts to conserve biodiversity (California Department of Food and Agriculture)
  5. Identifying and implementing near and long term action to natural removal of carbon and make a California's land climate resilient
  6. Developing a Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy
  7. Updating the target for the natural and working lands sector
  8. Working with agriculture stakeholders to identify farm led solutions

For the complete executive order click here and for the state's press release click here.
California Fire Safety and Updates

Current Fire Updates

Watch the latest CalFire Update from October 2,2020 regarding the current California wildfires.

View the CalFire Map for fire statuses.

Check your local air quality through AirNow.

For tips to prepare for wildfires visit CalFire. There they provide:

ESRI Map- CA Historical Fires

Check out this ESRI map on YouTube showing California Wildfires from
1910 - 2019, and listing the largest fires by acres burned.
Our Nature Education Program: Zoom Classes
We have started online nature education sessions through Zoom for elementary students.

Topics include:
  • Watersheds
  • Wetlands
  • Wildlife
  • Bird ID
  • Stewardship & Conservation

If you or your organization has a group of students that would be interested in learning about the marvels of the Ballona Watershed, fill out this form.
Diversity in the Field Spotlight: Aisa Mijeno
Let me introduce Aisa Mijeno! She a faculty member of Engineering at De La Salle University -Lipa, and she is also the Co-Founder and CEO at Sustainable Alternative Lighting (SALt). She developed an LED lamp that is powered by saltwater!

The SALt lamp has won her international recognition. She continues to pursuit her goal of ending the use of combustion based light sources and addressing the light inequality gap for the many Filipinos households and the many others across the world.
Bird of the Month: Black Phoebe
Interesting Facts

When and Where: Can be found at the western side of the U.S. near sources of water and human development.

Nesting Habitat: Uses mud to build their nests into a cup shape; nests are built against walls, overhangs, culverts, and bridges.


Diet: As a flycatcher, its main source of food are insects; it likes to perch in low open areas scanning for insects.

Photo: Jonathan Coffin, edited by Lisa Rachal

Your Contributions Further Our Efforts!
Contributions collected are used to advance our efforts to advocating for the greater Ballona Wetlands ecosystem. Any contributions are greatly appreciated.
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.