The Annenberg Foundation Proposes a Very Controversial "Interpretive Center" on the Ballona Wetlands

Original Image Courtesy of the Annenberg Foundation

The Annenberg Foundation has proposed a very controversial  50 million dollar "interpretive center" on the Ballona Wetlands "Area C."

The Annenberg Foundation states that:
"(The interpretive center will include)... an auditorium, classrooms, a public lobby, exhibits on wildlife and domestic animals, facilities for an animal adoption and care program, veterinary facilities for animals on site, retail space, parking, and office space for staff."

It seems suspicious that the foundation wants to have veterinary facilities and animal adoption programs in an ecological reserve. A similar project in the Palos Verdes was not constructed due to a large amount of opposition in the surrounding communities (primarily, because it would have been built on public land). In my opinion, why does the foundation need to be so cheap? Can't they afford their own land to build an animal hospital and adoption center, instead of taking publicly owned land?

Although supporters say that the interpretive center would be built on highly degraded land in the uplands that has been dumped on and inhabited by the homeless, it is obvious that the area can be easily restored to precious upland habitat. Upland "Coastal Sage Scrub" habitat within California is a quickly disappearing, with only 15% remaining undeveloped. With 50 million dollars, the interpretive center can be built elsewhere.

The proposal can be seen at:  http://www.annenbergfoundation.org/node/50770