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One Planet: Taking Back the LA River

Factual: Science & Nature

06/01/2012

Taking Back the LA River

BBC World Service - One Planet, Taking Back the LA River

The campaign to revive the Los Angeles river - from concrete stormdrain to natural habitat

Los Angeles wants its river back. 

For years, the river at the heart of the City of Angels has been more like a concrete storm drain than a natural river environment - the backdrop to Hollywood movies from Grease to Terminator 2, but tightly controlled for flood prevention and overlooked by most of the city's residents.

But now, after years of planning, the city administration has finally approved plans to start ripping up the distinctive concrete slopes of the river basin to allow the river to flow more freely - and encourage wildlife, plants and nature enthusiasts back to the area.

This week on One Planet, we travel the length of the Los Angeles river to find out more about its transformation. Alastair Leithead meets the fishermen, canoeists and engineers working along the river, dismantling a project that began in the 1930s.

As ever, tune in, have a listen and let us know what you think.

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