51-689: The Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve occupies 13.6 acres (55,000 m) of land owned by the City of Gardena , in Los Angeles County, California . The preserve is the last intact remnant of the former Dominguez Slough , an important vernal marsh and riparian forest with riparian zones that once covered as much as 400 acres (1,600,000 m) of this area, known as the South Bay region . The preserve has 9.4 acres (38,000 m) of wetland and 4.2 acres (17,000 m) of upland. The wetlands have
102-547: A Nisei , Kiyoto Ken Nakaoka, was seated on the city council. Nakaoka later became Gardena's mayor in 1972. In 1980, the city was 21% Japanese, and as of 1989 , Japanese residents tended to live in the center and south of the city. As of 1992 , about 60% of the Korean population in the South Bay region lived in Gardena and Torrance. By that year, many Korean businesses had been established in Gardena because its commercial land
153-650: A 16,000-square-foot (1,500 m ) building located in Gardena, and Masao W. Satow Library, located west of Gardena in Alondra Park (El Camino Village), unincorporated Los Angeles County , are operated by the County of Los Angeles Public Library . Wednesday Progressive Club sponsored the formation of the Gardena Library. In 1913 the Moneta Branch was formed. In 1914 the Gardena Library became
204-398: A 6-12 non-Catholic private school, is in Gardena. The Gardena Christian Academy, a PreK-2 Christian school, is in Gardena. The Gardena Office of Economic Development is a department of the city government. It aids employers in filling a variety of jobs customized to their specific needs. It also helps potential employers in setting up business enterprises. The Gardena Police Department
255-469: A female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.38. In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.8% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
306-576: A fire forced the West Gardena branch to go to a new location. The current Satow building, dedicated on February 26, 1977, was named after a Japanese American in the community. The Gardena library received its current name on May 30, 1992, and was named after a library volunteer, who had died prior to the renaming. The city operates the GTrans bus services (formerly as Gardena Municipal Bus Lines). The National Transportation Safety Board operates
357-837: A large residential area, two senior housing complexes, and a city park hug its northern and western boundaries. Today the Dominguez Watershed is a complex system of storm drains and flood control channels. The native plants and soil of the preserve clean the water before sending it on to the Dominguez Channel which feeds to the Los Angeles Harbor and the Pacific Ocean. The preserve's 9.4 wetland acres (38,000 m) host three vegetative communities: willow riparian forest, freshwater emergent marsh and transition zone. Three species of willows are native to
408-483: A local monopoly on legal cardrooms , the taxes from which accounted for nearly a third of its annual budget. As this Los Angeles suburb grew, many Japanese American families moved into the new tract homes being built. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 5.9 square miles (15 km ), over 99% of which is land. A 9.4-acre (3.8 ha) wetland preserve,
459-418: A natural depression where water remains for such a significant time that plants and animals not adapted to water and saturated soils cannot survive. The upland, which remains dry outside of the rainy season, supports plants which thrive with these drier conditions. The slough is a part of the Dominguez Watershed, 96% of which is now covered with concrete and man-made structures. Located on the traditional lands of
510-563: A new building. Up until the opening of the new Gardena High School, high school students held morning shifts, while junior high school students held afternoon shifts. The northern end of the Gardena HS campus has LAUSD staff housing, Sage Park Apartments. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles operates Catholic schools in Gardena, including Junípero Serra High School , Maria Regina Catholic School (K-8), and St. Anthony of Padua School (K-8). Pacific Lutheran Jr./Sr. High school,
561-730: A part of the Los Angeles County Free Library system. Due to annexation the library was transferred to the Los Angeles City Library Board. In 1919 the Strawberry Park branch was formed. In August 1951 the Gardena library came back to the county system. In 1958 the Strawberry Park and Moneta branches merged into the West Gardena Branch. The current Gardena library building was dedicated on December 5, 1964. In 1969
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#1732779907883612-404: Is credited with starting the first settlement in Gardena in 1887. Railroads put Gardena on the map following a 1880s Southern California real estate boom . Some believe the city was named for its reputation for being the only "green spot" in the dry season between Los Angeles and the sea. Because of its acres of berries, the city was dubbed "Berryland". The Strawberry Day Festival and Parade
663-445: Is possible that urban runoff, from activities such as excessive landscape irrigation and car washing, now brings water into the preserve in greater quantities and with greater regularity than occurred naturally. These factors may be favoring the growth of the "willow dominated riparian forest" and moving the preserve away from being a vernal marsh. Conversely, with this high density of urban land use, storm drains and urban runoff entering
714-567: Is the primary law enforcement agency in the city. The department has 89 sworn police officers, 24 full-time support staff, and 33 part-time employees. There are reserve, volunteer, and explorer programs. The current Chief of Police is Michael Saffell, appointed in 2020. Radio communications and the 9-1-1 call center are handled by the South Bay Regional Public Communications Authority. The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services operates
765-576: The Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve , is located at the southeast corner of Gardena. This is a naturally occurring marshland where water seeps above-ground all year round. It hosts several species of trees and other vegetation. Gardena is bordered by the unincorporated community of Athens on the north, the Los Angeles neighborhood of Harbor Gateway on the east and south, Torrance on the southwest, Alondra Park on
816-611: The Los Angeles River was the first construction project which ultimately led to the end of the Dominguez Slough. After the completion of this canal, during the next fifty years the slough was filled for various construction projects of the growing megalopolis of Los Angeles County. The Dominguez Channel was built in the 1920s to replace natural drainage provided by the slough; today the Channel drains about 62% of
867-451: The Tongva , it is believed that these indigenous people were able to commute by canoe around much of the area. Tongva villages were located throughout much of what is now Los Angeles and Orange Counties as well as three southern Channel Islands (San Nicolas, San Clemente, Santa Catalina) as distant as 60 miles (97 km) from the coast of Los Angeles County. In 1918 a drainage canal off
918-530: The Tongva people hunted and fished in the area of today's Gardena. The Tongva Indians — also known as Gabrielino Indians — are probably descendants of those who crossed from Asia to North America around 10,000 years ago. In 1784, three years after the foundation of Los Angeles , Juan Jose Dominguez (1736–1809), a Spanish soldier who arrived in San Diego , California in 1769 with Fernando Rivera y Moncada , in recognition of his military service, received
969-557: The United States House of Representatives , Gardena is in California's 43rd congressional district , represented by Democrat Maxine Waters . The Los Angeles Unified School District operates the city's public schools. Zoned middle schools include: Zoned high schools include: In the spring of 1956, the junior high school classes stayed at the old Gardena High School while the high school classes moved into
1020-537: The poverty line , including 22.3% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over. Mexican and Japanese were the most common ancestries. Mexico and Korea were the most common foreign places of birth. In 1980, about 31% of the population was Anglo white, 23% was black, 21% was Japanese, and 17% was Latino. The remainder included a Korean community that was increasing in size and Chinese, Filipino, and Native American people. The National Planning Data Corp. released projected figures in 1987 estimating that of
1071-521: The 1960s and 1970s specific to the protection of wetlands. These environmental laws, such as the Clean Water Act , enacted in 1948 and substantially revised in 1972, reflected growing awareness of the unique ecology and environmental significance of wetlands. The preserve, a remnant wetland of a once-great watershed, is now surrounded by urban development. Two major boulevards and a large strip mall define its eastern and southern boundaries, while
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#17327799078831122-459: The 50,000 residents, 26.3% were Anglo, 23% were black, 22.7 were Latino, and 28% were of other racial groups. By 1989, Anglo and Japanese residents tended to live in central and southern Gardena. Middle class black people began to move into the Hollypark area in northern Gardena in the 1960s, so the black population was concentrated there. According to the 1970 U.S. Census, 56% of the population
1173-583: The Audubon Christmas Bird Count at the Preserve, averaging around 30 species of birds. While bird counts remain strong, any birds nesting or feeding at or near ground level at the Preserve risk nest predation or being killed by raccoons, nonnative squirrels, and semi-feral cats. These predatory ground mammals may also reduce populations of amphibians and reptiles. The threat from feral cats has been decreased significantly, apparently by
1224-900: The Curtis Tucker Health Center in Inglewood and the Torrance Health Center in Harbor Gateway, Los Angeles, near Torrance and serving Gardena. The United States Postal Service operates the Gardena Post Office at 1455 West Redondo Beach Boulevard, the South Gardena Post Office at 1103 West Gardena Boulevard, and the Alondra Post Office at 14028 Van Ness Avenue. Gardena Mayme Dear Library,
1275-669: The Factory 2-U and the Fallas Paredes brands, has its headquarters in the Harbor Gateway area of Los Angeles, near Gardena. According to the city's 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the top employers in the city as of 2020 were: In the California State Legislature , Gardena is in the 35th Senate District , represented by Democrat Steven Bradford , and in the 66th Assembly District , represented by Democrat Al Muratsuchi . In
1326-578: The Gardena Aviation Field Office in Harbor Gateway, Los Angeles; it is the regional headquarters of the NTSB Aviation Western Region. Alligator lizards An alligator lizard is any one of various species of lizards in the family Anguidae that have some shared characteristics. The term may specifically refer to: Species of the genus Elgaria (western alligator lizards) Species of
1377-716: The Parents' Association founded the Gardena Japanese School in 1916. Beginning in the 1920s, Japanese American organizations, including the Moneta Gakuen , were established continuously around the current JCI site. The Moneta Gakuen operated a school until the World War II internment. In 1942 the U.S. military moved the Japanese in Gardena to internment camps . In 1966, for the first time,
1428-459: The Preserve, while it presents a major challenge at other restoration sites. Wild radish ( Raphanus raphanistrum ) and Madeira vine ( Anredera cordifolia ) are greatly reduced from previous levels, but some plants, such as cheeseweed ( Malva parviflora ) and English Ivy ( Hedera helix ) are far from contained. Storm drains, boulevards and parking lots also bring in trash, which volunteers regularly clear out. Each year, volunteers conduct
1479-579: The appearance of coyotes at the preserve. The upland area which surrounds the wetland includes the Perimeter Trail, about 3 ⁄ 4 mile ( 1.2 km) long, from which the public can view the upland, wetlands and wildlife. From the Trail, the public can access the Overlook Deck and ZigZag Bridge, both of which afford closer views, without disturbing wildlife. This basic infrastructure
1530-527: The area of the former Dominguez Watershed, focusing water into the Los Angeles Harbor. In the 1970s, two young Gardena residents became concerned about the mass destruction of willow trees they had witnessed. They sought a way to protect the remaining willows and contacted the United States Army Corps of Engineers . The Corps recognized the area as a waterway under their jurisdiction and provided federal protection against further destruction of
1581-418: The city was 23.82% White , 25.99% Black or African American , 0.64% Native American , 26.82% Asian , 0.73% Pacific Islander , 16.94% from other races , and 5.05% from two or more races. 31.82% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 20,324 households, out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples living together, 18.1% had
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1632-520: The highest Japanese-American population in the 48 contiguous states. The Japanese Cultural Institute (JCI) has been is located in Gardena since 1988, and offers cultural and social activities for Japanese Americans. The building used during that year was completed in 1976. Early in Gardena's history, Japanese migrants played a role in the agrarian economy. The Japanese Association founded the Moneta Japanese Institute in 1911, and
1683-545: The importance of the Preserve, how it fits into the larger environmental picture and how each person can contribute to the viability and health of this wetland preserve, a vestige of a once-great watershed. The preserve is in walking distance of the Harbor Gateway Transit Center stop of the J Line . City of Gardena Gardena is a city located in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County , California , United States . The population
1734-652: The population) lived in households, 122 (0.2%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 672 (1.1%) were institutionalized. There were 20,558 households, out of which 7,199 (35.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 8,782 (42.7%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 3,931 (19.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,486 (7.2%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,085 (5.3%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships , and 104 (0.5%) same-sex married couples or partnerships . 5,142 households (25.0%) were made up of individuals, and 1,921 (9.3%) had someone living alone who
1785-568: The population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 29,450 people (50.1%) lived in rental housing units. During 2009–2013, Gardena had a median household income of $ 48,251, with 15.5% of the population living below the federal poverty line. As of the census of 2000, there were 57,746 people, 20,324 households, and 14,023 families residing in the city. The population density was 9,921.3 inhabitants per square mile (3,830.6/km ). There were 21,041 housing units at an average density of 3,615.0 per square mile (1,395.8/km ). The racial makeup of
1836-439: The preserve bring in nutrient-rich water, perfect for aquatic invasive species, such as water primrose ( Ludwigia ), a management challenge. If allowed to continue to invade the preserve, water primrose will soak up the water in the wetland and ultimately destroy the willows. The Board has had great success at management of some invasive species. For example, a team of students from nearby California State University, Dominguez Hills
1887-563: The preserve: Goodding's black willow ( Salix gooddingii ), which provides important canopy habitat, as well as arroyo willow ( Salix lasiolepis ) and narrow leaf willow ( Salix exigua ). On the 4.2 upland acres (17,000 m), coastal prairie and scrublands are the native communities. With this much-needed native vegetation, the preserve provides valuable habitat for birds, native insects, amphibians such as Pacific tree frogs , and reptiles such as alligator lizards . The preserve’s wetlands are fed urban runoff and rain by storm drains. It
1938-406: The public except for monthly events. The Board sponsors a variety of activities to attract both children and adults into the preserve. When open, the public are welcome to walk through the Preserve or take one of the themed self-guided tours. All of these regularly scheduled events are offered free of charge, though donations are welcome. They are held with the stated goal of educating the public on
1989-540: The roughly 43,000-acre (170 km ) Spanish land grant, the Rancho San Pedro . Part of this land contained what became known as Gardena Valley. After the American Civil War veterans bought parts of the land, and soon ranchers and farmers followed suit. Union Army Major General William Starke Rosecrans in 1869 bought 16,000 acres (65 km ). The "Rosecrans Rancho" was bordered by what later
2040-654: The west, and Hawthorne on the northwest. Neighborhoods in Gardena include: The 2010 United States Census reported that Gardena had a population of 58,829. The population density was 10,030.0 inhabitants per square mile (3,872.6/km ). The racial makeup of Gardena was 14,498 (24.6%) White (9.3% Non-Hispanic White), 14,352 (24.4%) African American , 348 (0.6%) Native American , 15,400 (26.2%) Asian , 426 (0.7%) Pacific Islander , 11,136 (18.9%) from other races , and 2,669 (4.5%) from two or more races. There were 22,151 people of Hispanic or Latino origin, of any race (37.7%). The Census reported that 58,035 people (98.7% of
2091-464: The wetland and the upland immediately surrounding it. Eight of the preserve’s wetland acres remain under jurisdiction of the Corps while all 9.4 of the wetland acres (38,000 m) are under California Department of Fish and Wildlife jurisdiction. The hydrology, soils and native vegetation of the preserve determine these jurisdictional markers. The preserve was federally protected by environmental laws of
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2142-408: Was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 38,988, and the median income for a family was $ 44,906. Males had a median income of $ 32,951 versus $ 29,908 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 17,263. About 12.3% of families and 15.7% of the population were below
2193-407: Was 37.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males. There were 21,472 housing units at an average density of 3,660.8 per square mile (1,413.4/km ), of which 9,852 (47.9%) were owner-occupied, and 10,706 (52.1%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.6%. 28,585 people (48.6% of
2244-591: Was 58,829 at the 2010 census , up from 57,746 at the 2000 census . Until 2014, the U.S. census cited the City of Gardena as the place with the highest percentage of Japanese Americans in California. Gardena's Japanese American population contributes to the South Bay region of Los Angeles being home to the highest density of Japanese companies within the mainland United States. Based on archaeological findings,
2295-421: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82. There were 14,199 families (69.1% of all households); the average family size was 3.39. The population was spread out, with 13,410 people (22.8%) under the age of 18, 5,353 people (9.1%) aged 18 to 24, 16,656 people (28.3%) aged 25 to 44, 15,086 people (25.6%) aged 45 to 64, and 8,324 people (14.1%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
2346-588: Was Florence Avenue on the north, Redondo Beach Boulevard on the south, Central Avenue on the east, and Arlington Avenue on the west. The Rosecrans property was subdivided and sold in the early 1870s. One of those became the 650-acre (2.6 km ) Amestoy Ranch. Gardena proper began in 1887 when the Pomeroy & Harrison real estate developers subdivided the ranch, anticipating the coming of the Los Angeles and Redondo Railway. Civil War veteran Spencer Roane Thorpe
2397-422: Was White. Racial demographic changes occurred until 1978. That year, Mayor Edmond J. Russ declared that, according to a special 1978 census, the racial demographics of Gardena had stabilized. Gardena has a large Japanese-American community. Until 2014, it had the second-highest concentration of Japanese Americans in any U.S. municipality, the first being Honolulu . As of 2014, the nearby city of Torrance holds
2448-407: Was built around 2001. From then until 2006, occasional volunteer work days were organized at the preserve. Dedicated management of the preserve began in 2007 with the formation of the non-profit corporation, Friends of Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve, Inc., a 501(c)(3) California tax-exempt nonprofit corporation. The preserve has no fixed revenue stream and no staff members. The preserve is closed to
2499-425: Was held each May. The berry industry suffered at the time of World War I as other crops were supported by the war economy . Japanese Americans settled in Gardena throughout its history. The only way Gardena could protect itself from a heavy county tax imposed on a planned project at a park site was to incorporate. The City of Gardena became incorporated on September 11, 1930. From 1936 to 1980, Gardena held
2550-741: Was more affordable than that of Torrance, a middle-class base, and it also had an established Asian population. In 1990, 2,857 ethnic Koreans lived in Gardena, a 209% increase from the 1980 figure of 924 ethnic Koreans. Digital Manga is headquartered in Suite 300 at 1487 West 178th Street. Nissin Foods has its United States headquarters and a plant in Gardena. Nissin Foods (U.S.A.) Co., Inc. opened in Gardena in 1970. Marukai Corporation U.S.A. has its headquarters in Gardena. Nissan's North America headquarters were located in Gardena until they moved to Tennessee in 2006. National Stores Inc. , which operates
2601-411: Was trained to manage fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare ) and castor bean ( Ricinus communis ), two formerly very invasive plants at the Preserve, beginning in 2009. Within 2 years, all old stands of both fennel and castor bean had been cut to the ground. Work continues on the remaining invasive species, focusing on one species at a time. For example, mustard ( Brassica sp. ) is now virtually unknown within
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