Annual AFC programs’ hikes (Photo – arroyosfoothills.org).
Regardless of your perspective on the results of our national election, local elections brought good news to conservationists in Los Angeles County.
Here are the results:
County Measure A
Take It Outside California to Rosemont Preserve (Photo – Facebook).
Passed overwhelmingly with 72% of the vote. Measure A extends Proposition A, which was the source of all funding to allow the Arroyos and Foothills Conservancy (AFC) to buy the land of Rosemont Preserve in La Crescenta. It was also the funding source for one of their three Rubio Canyon acquisitions and for planting 250 native trees in the nearby canyons. Measure A will be a first stop to apply for future funding to save open space, create wildlife corridors and safeguard native habitat.
County Measure M
Bike racks and lockers are available at the new Gold Line Stations (Pictured Azusa Downtown Station) (Photo – Marc Corti, ©ColoradoBlvd.net).
Passed with nearly 70% of the vote, this measure provides funding for transportation, including bikeways which can also serve as wildlife corridors.
Anthony Portantino
California State Senator Anthony Portantino (Photo – anthonyportantino.com).
Portantino, who over the years has proven himself to be a real champion of conservation including leading the fight for funding preservation of the San Rafael Hills, is now a California State Senator. He has been a board member to AFC for the past 4 years. Environmental organizations welcomed his election and are hopeful toward working with him on state funding initiatives and conservation measures.
Adam Schiff
Congressman Adam Schiff (Photo – Staff, Maelane Chan).
As a Congressman for the 28th District, Schiff is sponsoring legislation to add 170,000 acres to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, including the Arroyo Seco corridor, Verdugo-Mountains-San Rafael Hills and San Gabriel Mountain foothills, otherwise known as the Rim of the Valley. The footprint of the state-approved 22,000-acre Hahamongna to Tujunga Wildlife Corridor overlays the eastern part of the Rim of the Valley. Scihh and AFC have pledged to work together to create the corridor and connect it with the Santa Monica Mountains.
Judy Chu
Representative Judy Chu (Photo – congress.gov).
Congressmember Judy Chu hiked into Millard Canyon in 2013 to help celebrate the acquisition of thirteen precious acres. Chu championed the creation of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument out of 346,000 acres of federal land in San Gabriel Mountains.
Chris Holden
Assemblymember Chris Holden and former Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz (Photo – Staff).
Assemblymember Chris Holden hosted a community meeting on the topic of “Living with Urban Wildlife” in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on October 18, 2016. Altadena and Pasadena residents learned from wildlife experts how to live safely with wildlife while respecting and appreciating them.
Kathryn Barger
Supervisor Katherine Barger (Photo – kathrynbarger.com).
In the Spring of last year, five members from AFC sat down with the new Supervisor (then candidate) Kathryn Barger and came away very encouraged by her interest in conservation and willingness to help. Her support will be instrumental in securing grants from County Measures A and M.
Voters that are passionate about conservancy made their voice heard at the ballot box.
Source: arroyosfoothills.org
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