If there is one valuable thing I learned in our struggle in Hawthorne (well I actually learned about 101 valuable things) was that my community was part of this thing called the Dominguez Watershed. The Dominguez què? The Dominguez Watershed! I learned about this awesome watershed that was home to little hidden creeks, marshes and channels. I learned that there were people living in the area who could still remember playing in features of old streambeds! And I thought how cool, how come I have never heard of this watershed?

And then I learned that absolutely nothing was going on in the Dominguez Watershed. few resources, no funding, no awareness. Now, this may upset some as one can reference the Gardena Willows and the Madrona Marsh in Torrance as wonderful examples of multi-benefit watershed projects .

But in comparison to the other three highly urbanized watersheds in Los Angeles County (Los Angeles River, Ballona Creek and the San Gabriel River) the Dominguez Watershed has fallen short in activities, projects, expenditures and overall awareness.

Why? Why has the Dominguez Watershed been largely ignored?

Is it that there is no need for watershed management or urban stream renewal in these areas? Are the Cities of Inglewood, Gardena, Hawthorne, Lawndale and communities in Lennox, Wilmington and Harbor City affluent communities in no need of watershed renewal, open space and opportunities for recreation?

I think we all know that answer.
So I beg the question simply, why?

I surely do not have the answer and I do not know if anyone can answer this question.

What can be answered is this call to remedy this problem; to bring awareness and resources to the communities in the Dominguez Watershed.

I introduce you to: the Friends/Amigos of the Dominguez Watershed!

I am so happy to meet like-minded individuals who asked the same questions about the Dominguez Watershed but who also share a passion for action-oriented solutions for urban renewal and restoration. We are setting up a website to be your one-stop shop for all things Dominguez Watershed. Stay tuned as it develops.

I invite you over the coming months to learn more about the Dominguez Watershed, its rich history and the multitude of opportunities that lie hidden in this gem of a place.

I personally want to thank all my homies in water who schooled me on watershed issues over the last year. Shout outs to Miguel Luna, the homegirl Jessica Hall and Mr. Alex Kenefick!

I look forward to starting this exploratory journey along with you!