LA County Natural History Museum

Increase public awareness of river water quality and watershed health.

There is a common misperception that the water in the LA River is always unclean in all locations. While all rivers are subject to sporadic events where water quality dips below normal, the majority of water in the river during…

Engage the Indigenous Peoples of the region to document and celebrate the importance of the indigenous cultures of the LA River, past and present.

Nations of native peoples have lived in the LA River region for millennia, making their history, traditions, and practices critical to painting a full picture of the river. There is still much to learn about and document from present-day Tribal…

Develop educational materials for people of all ages to learn more about the past, present, and future of the river corridor; natural resource protection; and the wildlife and water of the LA River.

People learn in different ways. Some are more visual or aural learners, while others are more physical or verbal learners. Some learn through individual explorations, others through directed group experiences. Ensuring people of all ages can fully embrace the deep…

Provide spaces for people of all ages and abilities to learn about the ecology, hydrology, engineering, and cultural and natural history of the river and its watershed.

The LA River and its watershed have been in a constant state of change throughout human history—from the way the river used to naturally change course to its channelization, from native plant and animal communities to dense urbanization, from native peoples’…

Use the river corridor as a living laboratory where ongoing innovation is encouraged.

Due to the broad range of conditions along the LA River, it is an ideal place to test varied ecosystem strategies. A living laboratory also provides opportunities for education and community participation in various strategies. Several organizations and schools have already…

Use environmentally responsible practices for operations and maintenance of the river channel and adjacent lands.

Healthy, connected urban ecosystems rely not just on large physical investments but on more regular operations and maintenance practices. Environmentally friendly practices and products are widely available today. However, their application often differs from the use of their traditional counterparts, highlighting…

Create a connective network of habitat patches and corridors to facilitate the movement of wildlife and support a diverse resilient ecological community.

Habitat patches are discrete areas, whereas habitat corridors are linear linkages that ensure connectivity between patches. While patches are valuable and important for birds and insect species, enhancing and interconnecting urban habitat patches with larger habitat areas beyond the LA River…

Increase plant species biodiversity, and focus on the use of local California native plants in and around the river corridor.

Individual plants do not exist in isolation. They exist within the context of other plant species, soils, microclimates, and wildlife, and each has a specific function within the larger ecosystem. The more diversity within an ecosystem, the more robust and resilient…

Increase habitat and ecosystem function along the river corridor.

Intact ecosystems perform multiple critical services beyond providing habitat for wildlife and providing public enjoyment. They make air more breathable, water more drinkable, and climate more stable. They help mitigate the negative effects of urban development by filtering and absorbing stormwater,…

Increase public awareness of river water quality and watershed health.

Engage the Indigenous Peoples of the region to document and celebrate the importance of the indigenous cultures of the LA River, past and present.

Develop educational materials for people of all ages to learn more about the past, present, and future of the river corridor; natural resource protection; and the wildlife and water of the LA River.

Provide spaces for people of all ages and abilities to learn about the ecology, hydrology, engineering, and cultural and natural history of the river and its watershed.

Use the river corridor as a living laboratory where ongoing innovation is encouraged.

Use environmentally responsible practices for operations and maintenance of the river channel and adjacent lands.

Create a connective network of habitat patches and corridors to facilitate the movement of wildlife and support a diverse resilient ecological community.

Increase plant species biodiversity, and focus on the use of local California native plants in and around the river corridor.

Increase habitat and ecosystem function along the river corridor.

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