Activists Protest Annenberg Foundation Construction in Wetlands

It is now apparent that the newly named Annenberg School of Journalism & Communications equates to writing and communicating Wallis Annenberg's spin of reality per her mindset. Democracy and telling two sides of a story are kicked by the wayside at USC where funding, after all, apparently comes first.

There are many organizations that worked for over 20 years and were successful in securing the preservation of remnant portions of Ballona Wetlands. During that time, Ballona was further compromised by the Playa Vista mega-development project having the Wallstreet crowd of Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, Goldman Sachs and others at the helm. The land has not been neglected but instead, hard fought for and won and paid for by the public. $140 million in public bonds and another $25 million were set aside for restoration and further land acquisition. The public garnered protective status as an
Ecological Reserve which includes codes that preclude the development that Wallis Annenberg seeks to build on Ballona. Deed restrictions were also garnered by the public to protect Ballona's wildlife habitat. Now, Wallis Annenberg seeks to have both the protective laws and deed restrictions lifted. The reality is that on such a small and delicate vestige of wildlife habitat ANY further development becomes a tipping point into death. One does not create a healthy thriving wetlands, as Annenberg says it can, by destroying the habitat and building human structures. Does anyone really believe such inane jargon? Let us make fake believe and it is a substitute for real habitat? Let us show you what used to be at Ballona and THAT will educate thousands about Wallis' idea of responsible stewardship of ecosystems shared in a very UNNATURAL WAY.
Meanwhile, there are already two locations offsite of the Reserve that the public has already paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to be--Interpretive Centers for Ballona. The sites have yet to see fruition of the bond authoriziations and yet to have the state provide accountability for the funds already publicly provided.
The USC author did get it right about the Wetlands Defense Fund working to defend wetlands from construction that could endanger the natural ecological systems. But, we are a LARGE vocal group of different organizations working to protect Ballona. The groups include the Sierra Club, LA Audubon, national animal welfare groups such as In Defense of Animals and Friends of Animals and many many other organizations and local groups. Annenberg and their secretive deals with the state are a new surprise and are a threat to the survival of Ballona's many rare and endangered species. Annenberg withdrew their similar proposals attempted in Rancho Palos Verdes parklands and we are here to stand fast until Annenberg withdraws these proposals from Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve.
Patricia McPherson, Grassroots Coalition