In Push for the 2024 Climate Bond, Senator Stern Announces Investment for Rewilding the Sepulveda Basin

SACRAMENTO- Flanked by community and environmental leaders, Senator Henry Stern celebrated a $2.5 million state investment to restore ecosystems in the Sepulveda Basin. As part of an event to mark the adoption of the multi-year Sepulveda Basin Vision Plan, Senator Stern noted the funds were only a downpayment on the nearly $5 billion in infrastructure projects outlined by the comprehensive Vision Plan. The event also raised awareness and advocated for the potential November 2024 statewide Climate Bond, currently being negotiated by the Legislature. 

"The Sepulveda Basin is the Central Park of Los Angeles. I believe all Angelenos deserve green spaces to escape the concrete jungle, and legislating climate-focused and nature-based solutions in the basin will help rewild LA, providing everyone with the nature-fix they need," said Senator Stern. 

Senator Stern, along with the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, presented the $2.5 million check to Randall Winston, City of Los Angeles Deputy Mayor for Infrastructure and Councilmember Imelda Padilla.  These state investments are funded by the 2023 State Budget and will be used to restore ecosystems and implement nature-based solutions along the Los Angeles River. In addition to the parts of the River that are accessible to the public for kayaking, walking, and biking, the 2,000-acre Basin includes 8 miles of largely-underground or inaccessible river tributaries that have not been properly maintained. The project will focus on enhancing the tributaries, bringing more wildness to the Basin, protecting biodiversity, and preparing for climate impacts of intense storms followed by droughts.