Nestled along the gentle contours of the Los Angeles River in the Taylor Yard area, a distinctive, high-pitched call can be heard rising above the urban clamor. This is the song of the least Bell’s vireo, a small olive-gray songbird indigenous to Southern California. Once thought to be lost for over 40 years, this endangered bird is now reemerging, heralding a promising future for the previously overlooked waterway.

Prior to the sweeping changes brought about by urban development, the wetlands flanking the Los Angeles River were an ideal habitat for the vireo. Unfortunately, as the area evolved into a bustling rail yard, the vireo population suffered a significant decline. However, recent years have seen a resurgence of this little bird. The establishment of Rio de Los Angeles State Park in 2007 has been pivotal, with sightings of the vireo becoming more frequent in the early 2010s, marking its gradual return. Today, the presence of nesting pairs and fledglings in the vicinity is a clear indicator of this bird’s success story.

Under the leadership of Evelyn Serrano, the Audubon Center at Debs Park has been dedicated to restoring Taylor Yard to create a hospitable environment for the vireo. Their efforts include planting native trees and establishing a riparian ecosystem that allows the vireo to flourish in its natural habitat.

The comeback of the least Bell’s vireo serves as a beacon of hope for a more naturally restored Los Angeles River. With the ambitious 100 Acre Partnership aiming to complete the restoration of Taylor Yard by 2028, the city stands at a pivotal moment to cultivate essential habitats for its native species. This initiative is part of a broader vision to transform Los Angeles into a city that is not only more sustainable but also more welcoming to wildlife.

What was lost

Before Los Angeles became a vibrant entertainment capital, its identity was deeply intertwined with the river.

The river, stretching over 51 miles, once nurtured a rich ecosystem across an expansive 871-square-mile watershed. Indigenous tribes established communities along its banks, relying on the water for agriculture and sustenance. However, as urbanization progressed, flood control measures drastically altered the river’s natural flow, leading to significant habitat loss and environmental decline.

Today, revitalization efforts aimed at restoring the Los Angeles River and its surrounding habitats ignite hope for a more sustainable future. By reconnecting with the city’s natural roots and safeguarding its biodiversity, initiatives like the 100 Acre Partnership strive to rejuvenate the river ecosystem and support its native species.

In 1930, the river reached a crucial juncture when Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. proposed a visionary plan for parks and public spaces along the river, integrating green flood prevention methods. However, the plan faced opposition due to the stock market crash that year. Following two devastating floods in 1934 and 1938, the Army Corps of Engineers undertook the monumental task of encasing the river in concrete, completing this project in 1960. Despite the setbacks, Olmsted’s vision has been lauded as a glimpse of what Los Angeles could have been, according to Ben Harris, a senior staff attorney at Los Angeles Waterkeeper.

As time passed, the river faded from the consciousness of many Angelenos, but the efforts of Friends of the L.A. River, founded by Lewis MacAdams in 1986, reignited interest in the waterway. MacAdams envisioned a revitalized river where both wildlife and residents could thrive, and he passionately advocated for its recognition as a natural entity. Over the years, his advocacy efforts culminated in the river gaining certain protections under the U.S. Clean Water Act in 2010.

A significant milestone in the river’s restoration is the transformation of Taylor Yard, a former rail yard acquired by the City of L.A. in 2017. The development of Paseo del Rio park at Taylor Yard, managed by the 100 Acre Partnership, aims to reconnect the community with the river while providing critical habitats for native species. However, the industrial legacy of the land presents challenges related to pollution remediation, which the partnership is actively addressing. The Department of Toxic Substances Control, in collaboration with the 100 Acre Partnership, is formulating a cleanup plan for Taylor Yard to ensure the site is safe for new habitats. Once a consensus on the strategy is reached, the project can progress swiftly, with aspirations of showcasing the river’s potential in time for the 2028 Games. The focus is on fostering an environment that harmonizes with the river’s engineered purpose, striking a balance between human needs and ecological habitats. Although opinions vary on the best approach for utilizing the river, Taylor Yard offers a unique opportunity for revitalization without some of the controversies associated with other restoration initiatives. The dialogue around the future of the L.A. River is ongoing, with multiple stakeholders advocating for various strategies to harmonize flood management with ecological restoration. Despite these differing views, the vision for a more natural and resilient river is within reach, bolstered by unprecedented federal funding aimed at investing in green infrastructure. As conversations about the river’s future evolve, the imperative of restoring this iconic waterway for generations to come remains a central focus. “People come here to reflect,” Baldauf notes. “The presence of nature within the city and the sight of a majestic great blue heron soaring above us is truly special.”

As discussions about the river’s future unfold in both legal and public arenas, restoration plans are steadily advancing. Projects like the Los Angeles River Fish Passage and Habitat Structures Design Project are underway to facilitate the return of steelhead trout. Additionally, the Friends of the L.A. River’s Great L.A. River Cleanup—recognized as the largest urban river cleanup in the nation—mobilizes thousands of volunteers each year in pursuit of revitalizing the river.

While Taylor Yard is a focal point for restoration endeavors, other locations along the river are also transforming into greener, more natural spaces. The Dominguez Gap Wetlands in Long Beach serve as a habitat for local flora and fauna; Urban Orchard, a 30-acre passive park in South Gate, features fruit trees lining the riverbanks; the Tujunga Wash Greenway and Stream Restoration Project contributes to the recharging of the San Fernando Valley Groundwater Basin; and bioswales in Caballero Creek Park function as natural stormwater filters.

All of these enhancements represent invaluable opportunities for the river’s native wildlife, including the resilient vireo, to thrive once more in the urban expanse of Los Angeles.

“We are part of nature, and we coexist with nature—even the nature we have created for ourselves,” Serrano reflects.