Daily Deal: Explore the Ballona Wetlands during free open houses
What can a high school kid teach you about L.A.’s wetlands? Plenty at free open houses at Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve in Marina del Rey. Students who recently completed a 10-week junior ranger program about the wetlands will be on hand to share their knowledge about this coastal remnant of a much larger margin where land meets sea.
The deal: The 600-acre reserve runs along part of Ballona Creek and inland from Dockweiler State Beach. The Santa Monica Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority is hosting two free open houses -- one this month, one in August -- that will feature information as well as hands-on activities with the junior rangers (see a video of the wetlands they made, above). Parking is in a dirt lot across from 13813 Fiji Way.
When: Open houses are scheduled 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Aug. 17.
Details: Ballona Reserve visitors can bring the family (good for kids of all ages) and walk the easy half-mile trail, do a little birdwatching or just relax. Once you’ve gotten your feet wet, check out other coastal wetlands close to home, such as the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach and the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve and Ecological Reserve in Newport Beach.
Info: Santa Monica Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, (818) 878-0866, Ext. 228
Mary.Forgione@latimes.com
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