Before Los Angeles existed, what did the now-L.A. area look like? The Los Angeles Basin had rivers, marshes, and even lakes in some seasons, supporting a vast variety of plants and animals.
The idea that L.A. was a desert comes from today’s concerns about its dry climate and heavy use of imported water, but historically, it was much greener and more ecologically diverse than you would think.
Wetlands are dynamic, productive, and resilient ecosystems, similar to rainforests and coral reefs. They are vital homes and nurseries for a variety of fish, birds, and wildlife.
Swamps reuse nutrients, helping plants grow and sustaining diverse life. They play a crucial role in climate moderation by retaining the greenhouse gas carbon within their soil and plant communities.
