Whittier Narrows Wildlife Sanctuary

Edward Barajas, 71, watches birds in and around the San Gabriel River that flows through the sanctuary. Barajas is against the proposed construction of a discovery center in the heart of the sanctuary in South El Monte.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

A bumble bee hangs upside down to get pollen from a flower at the sanctuary.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Grace Allen, left, Anadel Miller and Jim Odling sit under the shade of a tree at the sanctuary. They are opposed to the plan of building a San Gabriel River discovery center at the reserve.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Francisco Mora, 70, rides his bike along the San Gabriel river in the sanctuary.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Allen, Odling, Miller and Angelica Sauceda walk along a trail at the wildlife sanctuary. They belong to a group Friends of the Whittier Narrows Natural Area that is running a campaign against the proposed plan.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)