South Bay Parkland Conservancy Initiatives

 
 
Image of the South Bay Urban Trail Map showing existing connectivity of open space, trails and utility corridors suitable for parkland and urban wilderness in the South Bay.

Detail of the South Bay Urban Trail Map showing existing connectivity of open space, trails and utility corridors suitable for parkland and urban wilderness in the South Bay.

South Bay Urban Trail Network: Connecting Pathways To Parks

As the South Bay continues to urbanize, it becomes more and more important to activate and build pathways that connect our residents to the parkland resources and open spaces in their own backyards. While the network exists, many of these pathways are waiting to be enhanced and opened up for public use. It’s up to us to break down barriers and build stronger accessibility to parks.


Enhancing Native Habitat in the South Bay

Our vision is to create a more connected urban wilderness by enhancing public and private spaces throughout the South Bay with native habitat. Native habitats are critical for preserving biodiversity. SBPC efforts began by “rewilding” large portions of Hopkins Wilderness Park by replacing invasive and non-native plants with plants that were historically native to our area. Now you can help expand native habitat in the South Bay by joining our Certified California Native Habitat program and converting your yard to a California Native Habitat.

Certified California Native Habitat sign in recently converted yard.

Certified California Native Habitat sign in recently converted yard.


El Segundo Blue Butterfly Coalition

With a historic population of 750,000 butterflies a year, the El Segundo Blue Butterfly once thrived along the South Bay coastline from the Ballona Wetlands to the Palos Verdes Peninsula. However, in 1976, the El Segundo blue butterfly was listed as an endangered species at the federal level (Federal Register), and now only 7 sites for the butterfly remain. In 2018 the South Bay Parkland Conservancy led the formation of the ESB Coalition to combine our organizational efforts and create a connected habitat once again for the El Segundo Blue Butterfly. Our commitment to the coalition is to connect the gaps between existing restoration sites with native habitat suited to the El Segundo Blue Butterfly. For more information on the coalition’s work throughout the South Bay, click here.


RUHS Env. Sci. students work to establish butterfly habitat in Wilderness Park.

RUHS Env. Sci. students work to establish butterfly habitat in Wilderness Park.

Leaving a lasting legacy begins with education

SBPC partners with educators, environmental specialists, and local professionals to provide outdoor educational opportunities, resources, and project experience to students and community members interested in the local ecology. Participants of all ages learn valuable skills in conservation while making a difference in their own communities. For information about our Student Ambassador program please email info@southbayparks.org