WHO WE ARE: Ballona Creek Renaissance (BCR) is a 501c3 that Cleans, Greens, Educates, Advocates, and Beautifies the watershed area of Ballona Creek. Founded in 1996 and based out of Culver City and Del Rey in Los Angeles County, we are an all-volunteer non-profit that sees the creek as something more than just a water channel! Our core Board and Advisory Board consists of people with many unique backgrounds that utilize their passions toward improvement of our connectivity and sustainability of Ballona Creek. We work in partnership with public agencies, non-profit organizations, schools, businesses and community members to promote environmental, artistic, recreational and educational projects while respecting the creek’s essential role in regional flood protection.
CLEANING: Through our community cleanup events either on the creek or inland during our “Takin’ it from the Streets” Cleaner-sizing activities, we annually divert up to 3 tons of trash with up to 450 volunteers. Because of our dedication to pollution mitigation, we are proud to have been 1 of the 2 non-profits at the signing and reveal of Boyon Slat’s Ballona Creek Interceptor installation that aims to “turn off the tap” of trash from exiting the watersheds of the world; this is the first of its type installed in the US and now Southern California will install 2 more.
GREENING: Since our formation, we have supported and engaged in several installations of native California gardens/bio-retention projects on local school properties, along the creek, or in urban medians. Most recently we collaborated on a 10,000 SF garden/asphalt removal project at Stoner Avenue Elementary School and will shepherd the new 6,000 SF native garden/asphalt removal project on the same property in September. Through our close collaboration with Del Rey NC, the proposed project “Del Rey Way” is slated to receive feasibility study funding for this Measure W-funded Culver Median conversion that will offer enhanced communal space and robust water cleaning infrastructure.
EDUCATING: During our many regular tabling events we engage with youth to ensure they understand that the ocean starts at their front door. That awareness can help inform their future decisions about how to best engage with ocean health. Depending upon our leadership, we will also offer watershed education to school aged children. We collaborate and support local biking groups, or any others whose mission is relating to ours.
ADVOCATING: 3 years ago, we proposed ordinances for the bans of plastic “BAGS, BUTTS (cigarettes), BALLOONS & BOTTLES + artificial turf” to the City of Culver City. At the end of the 3-year process, many of our requests were fulfilled. This is the 3rd time in 10 years we have successfully worked with them on plastic reduction initiatives. We also spend much of our time engaged in the preservation of open land at locations close to the wetlands.
BEAUTIFICATION: As a group made up of several nature-loving artists we encourage unique beautification projects like the 2 large murals installed by BCR on Ballona Creek or supporting many other community-based art-driven initiatives. We are currently funded to oversee the design and installation of a 60’ mural on the property of Stoner Avenue Elementary School as part of the new native garden project.
