Barbara recently kayaked down the Los Angeles River. Decades ago, the US Army Corps of Engineers used concrete to line the bulk of the river's 51 miles, intending to control flooding. Today, the once-living river is ready for a rebirth. Last May, a $1 billion plan to revitalize a significant portion of the river was approved. The plan proposes to restore habitat, widen the river, create wetlands, and provide “rio vista” access points and bike trails along an 11-mile stretch between Griffith Park and downtown L.A. Barbara's kayak trip explored some parts of the river that still have a natural bottom, giving her a first-hand glimpse of the future of the living river. We look forward to a revitalized LA River and shifting attitudes in river management, one of the most pressing issues of our time. Read more here: http://www.citylab.com/politics/2014/07/navigating-the-future-of-the-la-river-by-kayak/374248/