Project Drawdown 240d ago

Ammy Rojas is the Environmental Education Coordinator at Friends of Ballona Wetlands, where she leads efforts to connect local students with the last remaining coastal wetlands in Los Angeles. Through hands-on field trips, she helps young people explore the importance of wetland ecosystems, while introducing them to native plants and animals. Wetlands are not only rich in biodiversity; they are also a powerful climate solution. Acting as natural carbon sinks, they absorb CO2 emissions, help filter water pollution, and support healthy habitats for wildlife. Wetlands also serve as natural buffers, protecting the land and nearby communities from increasingly frequent and intense storms made worse by climate change. Friends of Ballona Wetlands also honors and teaches the history of the land as the traditional, ancestral, and contemporary homelands of the Gabrielino-Tongva people, who have long lived in harmony with the wetlands’ land and waters. The educational programs at Ballona are complemented by action towards preserving the future of the wetlands, through opportunities for students and community members to participate in restoration and conservation efforts. Through their work, the Friends of Ballona Wetlands are helping to equip the next generation of environmental stewards with the knowledge, connection, and tools for the ongoing care of this vital natural resource. For more on Friends of Ballona Wetlands: https://www.ballonafriends.org/ *** Want to discover your role in stopping the climate crisis? Drawdown's Neighborhood, presented by Project Drawdown, is a series of short documentaries featuring the stories of climate solutions heroes, city by city. Join host and Project Drawdown storyteller Matt Scott on a journey to "pass the mic" to climate heroes whose stories often go unheard and elevate climate action. Drawdown's Neighborhood showcases the diverse community of leaders working to advance climate solutions. This edition takes place in the Los Angeles area, known as the entertainment capital of the world and home to Hollywood, it is a vibrant hub for arts and culture. But LA is also home to a rich and diverse natural ecosystem. Its varied landscapes include mountains, wetlands, beaches, deserts, and more, supporting a wide range of plant and animal life. As one of the largest urban regions in the United States, the greater Los Angeles area has a population of over 18 million people. It is also one of the most racially and culturally diverse cities in the nation. The combination of creative energy, ecological richness, and community power makes LA’s growing leadership on climate solutions especially impactful. The Los Angeles Area is a model for how cities, residents, organizations, and businesses can work together to respond to the intensifying impacts of climate change on the region, including wildfire, heat waves, flooding, rising sea levels, mudslides, and poor air quality. The land known as Los Angeles is the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary Native homelands of the Tongva People. Drawdown's Neighborhood: Los Angeles features the stories of seven change-makers who demonstrate resilience, and are building momentum to stop climate change and create a healthier, more just future for all. Watch and share this short documentary series, created by the Drawdown Stories team in collaboration with adventure filmmaker Erik Douds. Interested in leveling up your climate journey? We encourage you to discover solutions and characteristics of your climate story using the discussion questions and resources accompanying each film, developed in collaboration with Jothsna Harris of Change Narrative. Project Drawdown is the world's leading resource for climate solutions. To learn more, please visit www.drawdown.org. Twitter: www.twitter.com/projectdrawdown Instagram: www.instagram.com/projectdrawdown Facebook: www.facebook.com.com/projectdrawdown Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/projectdrawdown LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/project-drawdown #climatesolutions #climatejustice #climateaction #climatechange #passthemic #DrawdownsNeighborhood