Sepulveda Basin Habitat Enhancement
This project will improve the section of the Los Angeles River between Balboa Blvd and the new East/West Busway Bridge. The bridge is the dividing line between the concrete-lined river to the west and the living river in the Sepulveda Basin. Currently the area is heavily infested with invasive exotic vegetation including Arundo, Castor Bean, Fountain Grass, Poison Hemlock, Mexican Fan Palm and many others, giving this reach one of the most diverse weed populations in the watershed.
The new East/West busway will be opening in August 2005 and will expose 10,000 commuters per day to the stark contrast of the transition between the living and concrete river. With a grant from the Wetlands Recovery Project, The River Project will restore the functionality of the River in this half mile stretch.
Working with local high school students we will map invasive vegetation, survey bird populations, and monitor water quality. All invasive vegetation will then be removed and replaced with native habitat in some areas.
The project will restore native wildlife habitat, increase biodiversity, improve water quality and streamflows and create major improvements to the ecosystem functionality and aesthetic values of the river.
The students will design and implement an interpretive project at the site, taking advantage of the busway vantage point, to inform the public about the history and potential future of the river and enumerate the benefits of a healthy riparian ecosystem.