The Ballona Wetlands, located in Playa Vista, between Marina Del Rey and the Westchester bluffs, are the last major wetlands in Los Angeles County.  Over 95% of wetlands in California have been lost to development, so Ballona is a precious natural resource that provides unique habitat for over 215 species of birds, a spawning ground for fish, and a vital source of nutrients for the entire coastal marine environment.  Ballona offers resting and feeding grounds for migratory birds and other wildlife.  The wetland also acts as a flood plain and cleanses pollutants from storm water runoff before it reaches the Santa Monica Bay.