Third District Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky was presented with an environmental award by the Friends of the Ballona Wetlands April 28 for his efforts in support of wetland and habitat conservation in the Los Angeles County watershed at its second annual Ballona Watershed Warriors Celebration.
“It’s important to give something back to those individuals and companies that put their faith in our mission and help us protect and restore one of the last great wetlands in the state,” Friends of the Ballona Wetlands Executive Director Lisa Fimiani said.
The Friends of the Ballona Wetlands was created in 1978 to champion the restoration and protection of the Ballona Wetlands.
The Playa del Rey-based organization also gave a “Passionate Pickleweed Award” to Joe Edmiston, the executive director of the Santa Monica Conservancy. Edmiston is also the executive officer of the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority.
“It was our pleasure to honor Joe and Zev with the Passionate Pickleweed Award for their incredible leadership on environmental issues that directly affect the health of the Ballona Watershed and the wetlands,” added Dr. David Kay, vice president of Friends of the Ballona Wetlands’ Board of Directors.
Yaroslavsky, whose district includes Santa Monica and a portion of Playa del Rey and the Santa Monica Bay, has served three terms as a county supervisor. In 1996, he authored the Proposition A park bond, which resulted in the preservation of rural open space and the development of urban parks throughout the county.