The Argonaut: Ballona Wetlands

Ballona Institute wins River Warrior Award for efforts to preserve water quality

The Playa del Rey-based Ballona Institute is one of 27 environmental organizations and individuals to receive the River Warrior Award in recognition of their efforts to protect and preserve water quality, along with riparian and aquatic habitat in free-flowing rivers.

Sponsored by the San Francisco-based nonprofit Resource Renewal Institute, the award, announced on Tuesday, June 2nd, is given with the hope of encouraging “valiant, resolute efforts in defending free-flowing rivers and the wildlife that depends on them,” said an Institute spokesman.

“Motivated by half-crazy passion, River Warrior Award winners struggle in the best of years — never mind the challenges of an economic downturn during a time of climate change,” said former California Secretary of Resources Huey Johnson, the founder of the River Warrior Awards.

Recipients of the award will receive $1,000.

The Ballona Institute, founded by Robert “Roy” van de Hoek and Marcia Hanscom, is an educational center for research, restoration, advocacy and exploration of the greater Ballona Wetlands. The organization was instrumental in the efforts to save over 600 acres of wetlands when they were acquired by the state in 2003.

Johnson says that his inspiration for giving the prizes comes from his experience from seeing the efforts of small organizations and individuals to protect and preserve water quality in the state’s rivers.

“Over a long career, I’ve seen many examples of little guys carrying on fights to maintain remote rivers,” he said. “It’s about time that they got some recognition.”

Reader's Comments:

Lola Terrell wrote on Jun 13, 2009 1:44 AM:

" Go Ballona Institute, Marcia and Roy and their supporters. They are small 'Davids' against many big 'Goliaths' and they get things accomplished no one else can because of their passion and commitment to nature and protecting and honoring it's living systems from further destruction. THANK YOU!!! "

Steve Sugarman wrote on Jun 9, 2009 2:03 PM:

" Marcia and Roy are powerful beings who deserve all of the recognition that can possibly come to them! Their work & passion are exemplary.

Thank you, Huey, for recognizing their enormous contribution.

Steve Sugarman "

jeannie White wrote on Jun 9, 2009 8:40 AM:

" We think Marcia and Roy are superhuman in their passion and efforts and deserve as much gratitude and help as they are only 2 people. "

IngridinVenice wrote on Jun 8, 2009 1:05 PM:

" Superfab Marcia and Roy,
your perseverance, academic knowledge and passions of the heart attract not only local admirers and helpers, but have river wetland lovers everywhere salute you now.
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "

Harry Rose wrote on Jun 8, 2009 11:05 AM:

" This is well deserved. Thank you Roy and Marcia for your devotion to the issues at hand. "

Kate Anderson wrote on Jun 6, 2009 2:27 PM:

" Great work Marcia and Roy and everyone at the Ballona Institute. The award is well deserved, thanks for all of the hard work. "

Susan Suntree wrote on Jun 6, 2009 10:19 AM:

" The Ballona Institute's leadership is helping to create a legacy for all of us. Congratulations to Marcia and Roy for this much deserved award. And many thank to the Resource Renewal Institute for their recognition of the work we do here in Southern California to preserve our environment.

Susan Suntree "

Jan Vandersloot wrote on Jun 5, 2009 11:59 PM:

" Congratulations to the Ballona Institute and founders Roy van de Hoek and Marcia Hanscom. They deserve their award. Their persistence and hard work have paid off. They're an inspiration to other river and wetlands warriors throughout the nation. "

Joe Edmiston wrote on Jun 5, 2009 3:41 PM:

" Great job the Ballona Institute has been doing. I'm glad they have been recognized by the Argonaut. "

Jan Williamson wrote on Jun 5, 2009 12:42 PM:

" Fantastic! Marcia and Roy embody the truly dedicated visionaries whose work will be appreciated by future generations for their courage and commitment to our commonwealth, the Ballona Wetlands. "

Rose MacHardy wrote on Jun 5, 2009 11:28 AM:

" This award is most timely as the Ballona Institute, one of many other non-profit organizations in this time of recession, is suffering from lack of funding.

- Rose MacHardy "

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