akeover coming for San Gabriel River?

Transcription

1

2 akeover coming for San Gabriel River? By John Monsen Those who visit the San Gabriel River north of Azusa find few clean restrooms or trash cans, few places to safely access the river, few interpretive programs and few rangers (especially multilingual ones) to answer questions about the area. Water quality has been degraded by trash and aquatic life threatened by human-built dams and mechanical dredging for gold. But it doesn t have to be this way. WATERSHED CONSERVATION AUTHORITY The recently-launched East Fork Project would improve conditions along a 2.5-mile section of the San Gabriel River, upgrading the visitor experience for all. It s a joint venture of the Watershed Conservation Authority and the U.S. Forest Service, the agency that manages the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. The project also addresses issues of diversity and inclusion. Ninety-three percent of visitors to the river itself are Latino, many in family groups escaping the heat and enjoying the shady river setting. The watershed authority s commissioned research shows that many come from park-poor communities. Some of these users might disperse into upper canyon areas such as Heaton Flat if there were better display maps of recreational opportunities. Elements of the project include: concentrated near six well-designed river access points that will channel visitors to multilingual interpretive signs, restrooms, trash receptacles and river overlooks. East Fork Scenic Trail above the river along the East Fork. All user-created access points will be blocked. reduce the impact on visitors during the popular summer months. improve traffic flow with more grills, larger tables, and more bear-proof trash receptacles. oaks. An interpretive botanical loop trail is under consideration that would be suitable for kids. a shaded interpretive center, picnic area and river overlook with parking moved to the to the abandoned East Fork Station parking lot to the east. Want to learn more? John Monsen at wildernessjfm@aol.com John Monsen is a consultant to Sierra Club National Field Staff in Los Angeles for San Gabriel Mountains Forever and he serves as Co-Chair of the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter s Forest Committee. eet Mr. Expo Line Darrell Clarke would never call himself Mr. Expo Line. But we would, particularly with the Expo Line extension that opened in May to Santa Monica, creating a light rail line from downtown Los Angeles to the beach in the route of an old railway bed. I can take credit for coining the Expo Line name, the Angeles Chapter s Transportation Committee chair said in a 2012 interview. Originally I called it Expo Rail and then later the Expo Line. It s funny how some things stick. Clarke, also a former Chapter chair and tireless public transit advocate, worked for decades with the Club and Friends 4 Expo Transit to do just that make light rail stick. His work underscores the power of persistence and the power of believing in the idea a very unpopular one for some that you could somehow make public transit work in L.A. and get Angelenos out of their cars. In addition to the Expo Line s new service, the Gold Line expanded from Pasadena to Azusa earlier this year. And process continues on extending the Purple Line subway from Western Avenue to Westwood. If you have a passion for transit and making L.A. more sustainable, join the Angeles Chapter s Transportation Committee. Contact Darrell Clarke at DarrClarke@gmail.com.

3 Homes or open space? That s the dilemma looming over 41 pristine acres in the San Gabriel Mountains in Glendora. The plan is to build 19 luxury homes on the wild lands that Sierra Club would like to see preserved as open space for wildlife and recreation. Although the development is small, it has larger implications to open-space conservation in the San Gabriel Mountains, whose foothills are almost completely developed. Little undeveloped open space remains in this area, making even small pieces of land valuable as habitat for wildlife and urban residents. The Gordon-Mull property as it s known sits between Glendora Wilderness Park and the Blue Bird Ranch Conservancy, not far from San Gabriel Mountains National Monument and the Angeles National Forest. This parcel would be an extension of preserved and protected parklands. A recent biological study says the property has very high biological value, particularly because the springs and oak woodland attract wildlife. Bobcats, mountain lions, female bears with their cubs, ringtail cats, foxes have been observed in the area and live in these wild lands. Construction for the housing development COURTESY JEFF MICHELSEN would require removal of 176 mature oak trees along with other tree and chaparral scrub species. There are three federal or state listed species present in the area: the Coastal California gnatcatcher and cactus wren as well as a plant called threeleaved brodiacea. To build homes on the Gordon-Mull property would destroy recreational opportunities for residents and for growing populations in the wider Los Angeles area and it would eliminate its value for wildlife forever. If kept as open space, the region would increase an area of contiguous, protected open space for people and wildlife. To get involved in this campaign, contact the Chapter s San Gabriel Valley Task Force Chair Joan Licari at jlicari2013@gmail.com. tudents step up to be ocean stewards By Elizabeth Neat Think kids don t get out into nature enough? The Chapter s Inspiring Connections Outdoors works to make sure urban youth and adults have the opportunity to visit their wild backyards. And now the group has some help in its important mission. With funding from the California Coastal Commission s Whale Tail grant, LA ICO, as it s known, will start a pilot program called Launching the Next Generation of Marine Stewards. Through this initiative, LA ICO will strive to promote respect for the marine environment and for each other; responsibility for one s actions and decisions, especially decisions that impact our natural surroundings; and resilience, both environmental and personal. The Whale Tail grant, by the way, comes from funds collected by Californians who purchase Whale Tail license plates. Over the next 14 months, 100 students from four area high schools will be involved in visiting sites important to the health of the ocean, learning from docents and guest speakers, and developing a culminating service project. The goal? Students will learn what true environmental stewardship means something they will carry into their adult life on whatever career path they choose. LA ICO also received an Explore the Coast grant from the California Coastal Conservancy that means 30 busloads of L.A. school kids will get to explore coastal parks, wetlands and beaches over the next 18 months. The grant covers transportation to trail heads and beaches from area L.A. schools. One of the first outings funded by the grant: a trip for students at four middle schools to Camp Emerald Bay on Catalina Island over Memorial Day weekend (above). They had a memorable time snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, and enjoying the beach. LA ICO welcomes your participation as a co-leader, as a volunteer, as a guest speaker or as a fund-raiser. Please join us. You ll find more information at or you can contact leader Elizabeth Neat, (310) , ean1948@gmail.com.

4 R It s finished! Backbone 23 Trai Danielson Multi-Use Area Potrero Blvd Mishe Mokwa Yerba Buena Rd Westlake Tro R ay Miller railhead By Debbie Drezner Rd Deer Creek Pacific BACKBONE TRAIL 1 View Cotharin Yerba Buena MULHOLLAND HIGHWAY Have you hiked the Backbone Trail? The trail was 40 years in the making and Sierra Club was there every step of the way. It winds through 67 miles of some of the Santa Monica Mountains most beautiful ecology and scenic terrain, connecting Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades on the eastern end to Point Mugu State Park in Come hike the Backbone Trail with us! Sierra Club leads hikes on the Backbone Trail year-round. Here are some upcoming ones to try: July 19: Corral to McAuley Peak, named for beloved Sierra Club leader and activist who worked for decades on creating the Backbone Trail. You ll get spectacular ocean views at the base of the peak. 6 miles, 800 feet of gain. Leader Margaret C Fields, (310) Aug. 2: Hondo to Topanga Overlook is a strenuous 12-mile loop that s a great workout and a great spot (the overlook) to see sweeping views to the north of the mountains and the valley. Dana Swartz, (424) , danewithfame@yahoo.com Sept. 6: Sandstone Sextet, a 10-mile loop on the Mishe Mokwa Trail that takes you to some of the most beautiful peaks along the Backbone Trail: Sandstone, Tri Peaks, Exchange, Pop Top, Boney and Big Dome. Added bonus: a close-up of Balanced Rock. Leader Robert Cody, (310) , bcodyman@aol.com For hike times, meeting points and more, go to backbone.hikethe100.org. MARY FORGOINE Little Sycamore Decker 23 Encinal any C o n Ca Encinal Mulholland Hwy Encinal Kanan Wilderness Travel Course (WTC) ive r D Busch Bonsall Dr Kanan Latigo Ventura County on the west. The National Park Service celebrated the completion June 4. Now the Chapter invites you to come experience the trail with us. Volunteers have been leading hikes on the Backbone Trail almost since it started. For example, you can hike from Corral to McAuley Peak on July 19 and then hike from Hondo to Fossil Ridge on July 26. In fall, Dume Pacific Registration opens July 15 The Chapter s Wilderness Travel Course is a skillbuilding 10-week program that teaches you everything you need to know to stay safe in the outdoors. Learn how to snow camp, master thirdclass rock scrambles and navigate in the wilderness with the course that combines classroom with hands-on weekend outings. You have four locations to choose from: West L.A., the San Gabriel Valley, Long Beach/South Bay and Mission Viejo in Orange County. For those who sign up early, WTC costs $330 for Sierra Club members and $365 BRIAN SWANSON for non-members Applications open July 15. And a word to the wise: WTC fills up fast so register early! For details, go to wildernesstravelcourse.org. Contact (310) or wtc@wildernesstravelcourse.org Coast Highway

5 Old Topanga l spans 101 a glorious 67 miles Kanan Cornell Virgenes Calabasas Blvd Reseda Las utdale oad 27 Corral Tapia Stunt Rd Saddle Peak Old Topanga Rd Deadhorse Trippet Ranch Piuma Rd Schueren Rd Saddle Peak 27 Topanga Blvd Co ral Piuma Ro ad Rambla Pacifico Las Flores Tuna Palisades Latigo Drive Will Rogers you can bag six peaks on the Sandstone Sextet on Oct. 29. Check out these hikes and others to experience this extraordinary trail. The trail was created by piecing 1 together the hard work of trail-building, trail design funding, political support, and acquisition by the public of more than 180 parcels. As land was being obtained with state and federal funds, there was a pressing need for trails in the Santa Monica Mountains. Malibu nyo n Ca C y Sierra Club leader and master trail builder Ron Webster formed Temescala trail task force to do just that. Over the years, this volunteer crew has built and maintained many miles. You can help maintain the trail (no experience needed) on Saturdays from October through June. For meeting time/place, check our Schedule of Activities or contact John Russell Marshall at russmarshall13@ gmail.com. Highw Coast Pacific Highway h way Liones Los Liones 1 Family Hikes July 16 and Sept. 11 Come on out and discover the recently designated San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. Renew your body and spirit July 16 in Arcadia s Fish, 5 miles in a tree-lined oasis beside a running stream to a split waterfall. And yes, there really are fish swimming in the canyon waters. Then join us for an easy, mile and a half family hike MARGEE HILLS on the El Encanto Trail in Azusa. Must RSVP to leader to attend. Contact Roberto Morales, (213) Ext. 213 or (818) , roberto. morales@sierraclub.org Easy Backpack July Take an easy spin on the Pacific Crest Trail from Islip Saddle to Little Jimmy Campground in the Angeles National Forest. The route is 2.25 miles each way to the campground with pines and a spring. Good for those who want to learn the ropes or just have an easy weekend close to home. Contact leader Karen Buehler, karen.buehler2@gmail.com, (818) Waterman Mountain Hike July 30 Mount Waterman was named after Liz Waterman who, with her husband Bob, and Perry Switzer (whose nearby falls bear his name), made a traverse of the San Gabriel range from the Los Angeles Basin to the desert and back in Hike 6 miles, and join in the Hundred Peaks Section s Rendezvous Hike celebration. Contact leader Peter Doggett, peterdoggett@aol.com, (818) Leadership Training Course Sign up by Sept. 17 for Oct. 1 class There s only one way to become a bonafide Chapter outings leader: Take and complete the Leadership Training Course. As home to one of the largest outings programs on the planet, the Chapter trains leaders how to plan a successful trip, prevent problems on the trail and make sure that everyone has a great time. You ll learn about conservation and safety practices too. The Fall 2016 Leadership Training Seminar lasts one day and provides everything you need to know. Cost is $25 per person. You must register by Sept. 17 to attending the Oct. 1 session. Go to LTC.socalnow.org or contact Registrar Steve Botan, (714) , ltcregistrar@hundredpeaks.org. Wilderness First Aid Course Oct This three-day weekend at the Sierra Club s Harwood Lodge at the base of Mt. Baldy has variously been described as first aid boot camp and the best cruise I ever took. Translation: It can be intense, demanding, exciting and fattening all in one. Half a dozen instructors will teach you a patient-centered procedure for responding to a wilderness accident or illness (ditto for civil emergencies such as major earthquakes). Lectures are balanced with supervised skills training in small groups. Four accident simulations are so close to the real thing that student pulse rates take a while to come back down when they are over. The course costs $250; this class is very popular and often fills quickly. You ll find more information and an application at Questions? Contact Steven Schuster by phone (714) or steve.n.wfac2@gmail.com

6 Dream with us. Every adventure begins with experienced Sierra Club leaders who show you the world through the lens of nature and local culture. Every trip is different, creating memories you won t find on other tours. You may find yourself handing out solar-powered lanterns to villagers in Nepal or standing on the edge of a belching steam vent in the wilds of Iceland. We promise travel experiences like no other. Thailand Cultural and Wildlife Adventure March 2 to 18 Ancient temples and giant Buddhas define a trip to Thailand, but what about the country s natural side? Join us for an adventure next March that blends the best of both worlds in the Asian nation that draws 16 million tourists every year. Highlights include: Bangkok The Grand Palace, a collection of lavish buildings created for kings in the Thai capital that are set around lawns, gardens and courtyards; and the famed Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, one of the country s oldest temples. Sukhothai The UNESCO World Heritage site that s the Thai equivalent of Cambodia s Angkor Wat. It was the capital of the first Kingdom of FRED DONG KHUNKAY/WIKIMEDIACOMMONS CHUSAK VIJAKKHANA/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Siam in the 13th and 14th centuries. Khao Yai National Park The park features rain forests and grasslands, and elephants, bears, gibbons, otters and about 300 bird species. Kaeng Krachan National Park The country s largest national park is dotted with rain forests and is a top bird-watching location too. Trails allow you to go deep into pristine forests to see the country s natural side. You can join an optional trip to Angkor Wat in Cambodia too. Price is $2,150 per person for Sierra Club members who sign up by Aug. 31; nonmembers add $100 more. Contact leader Fred Dong at madelinesdad@earthlink.net. Costa Rica is a land of exceptional beauty, from volcanoes and rain forests to ecological reserves and wildlife sanctuaries. Come along on an adventure that takes it all in, from a sea turtle sanctuary in Tortugero National Park and a cloud forest reserve in the Costa Rica Adventure Oct north to the country s most beautiful waterfalls in Arenal Volcano National Park. And then there s the unspoiled Pacific beaches too. Stops include Manuel Antonio, Monteverde/ Santa Elena, Arenal, Tortuguero and San Jose. Price is discounted by $200 if you reserve by July 15. It costs $1,950 per person (before discount) for Sierra Club members, $2,050 for all others. Contact leader Donna Specht, (714) , donnaspecht@juno.com Just $1,950-$2,050 per person, excluding airfare. Interested? Contact Donna Specht, (714) , donnaspecht@juno.com Day 1: Land in San Jose and transfer to Manual Antonio National Park Day 2 and 3: Spend the day in Manual Antonio National Park Day 4-6: Visit Santa Elena and Monteverde to hike, visit the reserve, go birdwatching, visit orchid gardens and more Day 7-8: La Fortuna with a stop at Arenal Lake and boat tour of the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge Day 9-10: Tortuguero, one of the most remote villages in the country. Day 11-12: Caribbean Tortuguero, which features baby turtles and good wildlife sightings. Day 13-14: San Jose and departure.

7 While major gains have been made to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, Big Oil remains a major obstacle in the fight to transition from fossil fuels to 100% clean energy. More needs to be done to ensure electric vehicles and local transportation options are accessible to the everyone, including low-income residents. That s why the Political Leadership Awards on Aug. 14 takes the theme Clean Air and Clean Transportation. Come meet political leaders who understand what real sustainability means, and check out electric cars on display. Honorees include L.A. Councilman Mike Bonin (11th district) will receive the first Bill Rosendahl Air Quality Champion award. Its namesake, the late former L.A. Councilman Bill Rosendahl, left a legacy of promoting mass transit and seeking innovative solutions to mitigate green house gas emissions caused by traffic and transportation. Rep. Julia Brownley (D-26th District) and State Assemblyman Ricardo Lara (D-33rd District) will receive 2016 Political Leadership Awards for their work on curbing climate change through various measures in their respective legislative bodies. This event at The Electric Lodge in Venice is a major fundraiser for the Political Committee s PAC. Your support makes a difference. Sponsorship level donations range from $500 to $5,000; individual tickets cost $100. Want to learn more? Check the website angeles.sierraclub.org/pac or contact PAC Fundraising Chair Susana Reyes at susanareyes1218@gmail.com. Come discover what the Angeles Chapter Sierra Club does from conservation campaigns and political endorsements to outdoor adventures from Costa Mesa to Costa Rica. New and prospective members are welcome to attend the Meet-and-Greet at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 8 at the Costa Mesa Community Center at 1845 Park Ave. in Costa Mesa. Membership in the Sierra Club represents a voice for the environment. Come and meet representatives and leaders from conservation beach walks to peak bagging. Table displays, exhibits, refreshments. Need more information? Contact Donna Specht, (714) , donnaspecht@juno.com Join us for SoCal Espanol, a monthly hangout in Spanish in which you dial in and talk about eco-issues led by Sierra Club s conservation program manager Angélica González. Maybe you want to learn about our clean-air campaign, talk about the candidates Sierra Club endorses for public office or get involved in wellness hikes. Or maybe you have an environmental issue that s happening in your area that you d like to discuss. All are welcome to attend the monthly discussions that will take place at 6 p.m. on July 6, Aug. 10 and Sept. 7. It s simple: Dial into this phone number (866) and use #. Talk with you then! Also find us on Facebook at Sierra Club Capitulo Angeles. The annual Green Festival Expo comes to Los Angeles from Sept. 16 to 18 at the L.A. Convention Center. Hear speakers, try out vegan and vegetarian food and check out exhibitors who bring the latest eco-technology to consumers. Want to volunteer to help? The Chapter needs activists to table and spread the word about Sierra Club. Also, Sierra Club members enter for free. Go to greenfestival.socalnow.org for details or contact Conservation Program Manager Angélica González, (213) Ext. 204, angelica.gonzalez@sierraclub.org. SoCal Now July-September 2016 Volume 1 No. 2 web: angeles.sierraclub.org socalnow.org hikethe100.org Mary Forgione Editor mary.forgione@sierraclub.org SoCal Now (USPS ) is published quarterly by the: Sierra Club Angeles Chapter 3435 Wilshire Blvd. #660 Los Angeles, CA Phone: (213) , Ext Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Periodicals postage paid at Los Angeles, CA Cover photo: Sierra Club leader Ginny Herringer co-leads a family hike in Azusa, by Margee Hills. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to: SoCal Now, Sierra Club Data Changes, 3435 Wilshire Blvd., #660, Los Angeles, CA Sierra Club Angeles Chapter. Image copyrights held by the artists. Opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Angeles Chapter. Printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks.

8 3435 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 660 Los Angeles, CA Burrowing owls need a lot of space -- roughly about 200 acres -- to hunt for food. They are winter residents at Banning Ranch, one of the last stretches of privately-owned undeveloped land on Southern California s coast. These owls got their name from the underground burrows they live in. They re low to the gro n with brown spotted features, long legs and what look like white eyebrows above large yellow eyes. They eat mice, moles and other small mammals and insects. The owls are waning in their historic range. The Western burrowing owls migrate and return to Banning Ranch each year because it s a good nesting site. The owls that hunt on the 400 acres of onetime oil fields near Newport Beach should be safe--but they re not. Nor are the osprey, least terns, red foxes and California gnatcatchers which also call this coastal habitat home. The California Coastal Act protects environmentally sensitive habitat areas as a haven for vulnerable animals and plants, but that s not how it may play out for the owls and their neighbors. Right now the land is still being considered for development -- despite the foraging needs of the burrowing owl. Think that s a bad idea? You can tell the California Coastal Commission yourself at a hearing Sept. 7 to 9 in Newport Beach when the Banning Ranch plan will be discussed. And you can join the Sierra Club s Banning Ranch Task Force and work to keep the natural coast intact. To get involved, contact Terry Welsh at (949) or BanningRanch@angeles.sierraclub.org CHERYL REYNOLDS/WIKIMEDIA Channel Islands National Park Private Boat Trip July 17-19, Aug , Sept , Oct JOAN JONES HOLTZ Join us for an extraordinary boat cruise of Southern California s littlevisited Channel Islands National Park. Hike wild trails bordered with wildflowers, kayak into sea caves, snorkel in pristine waters, swim amid seals and sea lions, go bird-watching -- or just kick back and relax at sea. Typical stops include Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz islands, and you ll have a good chance of seeing whales and dolphins along the way. The trip costs $650 per person, which includes an assigned bunk, all meals and snacks, and docent guided hikes on the islands. Interested? Check out channelislands.hikethe100.org or contact leader Joan Jones Holtz; (626) ; jholtzhln@aol.com.